Definition: And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, and put [it] upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and shall pour out his blood at the bottom of the altar of burnt offering.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Leviticus 4:25. It’s a pretty significant and somewhat unusual command in the Old Testament. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, this verse describes a ritual sacrifice to cleanse something very dirty or harmful. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering with his finger…” - This tells us we’re dealing with a special offering called a “sin offering.” It was used when someone committed a serious wrong – something that required atonement and forgiveness. The priest is specifically tasked with taking this blood. “…and put [it] upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering…” - This means the priest is placing the blood on the top of a special altar, which was used for burning sacrifices. “And shall pour out his blood at the bottom of the altar of burnt offering.” – This is the key part. The priest is instructed to pour (release) the blood at the bottom of the altar. It’s not just a little spill; it's a significant amount. This action symbolizes releasing the guilt and negativity associated with the wrongdoing. What was happening before this verse? In the story, the man who committed the sin (often a king or high-ranking official) accidentally killed his son. This was a terrible tragedy, and the people were deeply distressed. The verse is essentially a way for God to acknowledge and punish this devastating act of violence. It's about making amends and showing remorse. Why was this ritual important? This act of pouring blood at the bottom of the altar was believed to be a powerful cleansing and purification process. It was thought that the blood would wash away the sin and restore balance in the world. In short, this verse is a dramatic and symbolic way for God to acknowledge a terrible offense and initiate a process of healing and forgiveness. --- Do you want me to: Explain another Bible verse? Discuss a specific aspect of this verse in more detail (like its historical context)?