Definition: And thou shalt cut the ram in pieces, and wash the inwards of him, and his legs, and put [them] unto his pieces, and unto his head.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down that passage from Exodus 29:17. It’s a really important and slightly shocking verse about how animals were prepared for sacrifice in ancient Israel. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes the process of preparing an animal – usually a lamb or goat – for slaughter. It's a detailed, almost gruesome, ritual designed to ensure the animal was clean and ready for God’s purpose. Let's unpack it word by word: “And thou shalt cut the ram in pieces…” : This means the animal would be torn apart, usually with knives or sharp tools. “…and wash the inwards of him, and his legs, and put [them] unto his pieces…” : This is where it gets a little more complex. “Inwards” refers to the inside of the animal – the organs. "Legs" means the legs. So, they’d be meticulously cleaned and separated into individual pieces: the head, torso, hindquarters, and forelegs. “and unto his head.” : This signifies the final, most important part - the animal’s head would be carefully removed and placed on a platter or altar. What was the purpose of this ritual? This was a crucial step in the Jewish tradition of sacrifice – offering animals to God as a sign of atonement for sins and a way for people to connect with God. It wasn’t just about providing food; it was a symbolic act of repentance and seeking forgiveness. Important Context (a little history): This passage is found in Exodus 29, which tells the story of Noah's Ark. The verse describes this process as happening before Noah builds the ark to save humanity from a devastating flood. It’s a very symbolic and dramatic part of the narrative. In short, it was a deeply ritualized way of preparing an animal for sacrifice, emphasizing cleanliness and a focus on the relationship between humans and God through a visible sign. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the significance of this passage in Jewish tradition? Provide more context about the story of Noah’s Ark?