Definition: And he shall slay the lamb in the place where he shall kill the sin offering and the burnt offering, in the holy place: for as the sin offering [is] the priestâs, [so is] the trespass offering: it [is] most holy:
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Leviticus 14:13. It’s a pretty important and detailed instruction about how sacrificial animals are handled in the Old Testament. Here's a simple explanation: What it means: This verse is saying that specific animals – specifically the lamb – have a special, sacred role within the Jewish religious system. It’s essentially establishing a very strict protocol for offering sacrifices. Let’s unpack each part: “And he shall slay the lamb in the place where he shall kill the sin offering and the burnt offering…” : This tells us that the lamb is being specifically prepared for sacrifice. It's being killed and placed in a designated area. “…in the holy place:” This clarifies where it’s happening – within the sacred, dedicated space of the temple. “for as the sin offering [is] the priest’s, [so is] the trespass offering: it [is] most holy:” This is the core of the instruction. It's saying that this specific lamb represents something even more holy than a regular sacrifice. “as the sin offering [is] the priest’s…” : The lamb is seen as the offering for the priest, or the role of the priests. “…so is” : This means “it is.” “it [is] most holy:” This is a crucial part. It's saying that this lamb is most pure and worthy of God’s attention. It’s considered to be closer to God than any other offering. In short: The lamb is a special offering, representing the highest level of holiness and devotion within the Jewish religious practice. It’s a symbolic representation of atonement and connection with God. Why was this rule established? This rule was set in place to ensure that only those who were truly dedicated to God's will could participate in sacrifices. It aimed to keep the temple pure and focused on worshiping God, not on human desires or practices. --- Do you want me to: Explain a particular aspect of this verse further? (e.g., its historical context?) Give you an example of how this rule was followed in practice? Answer any other questions you have about it?