Definition: And the priest shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle of the blood seven times before the LORD, before the vail of the sanctuary.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Leviticus 4:6. It's a pretty significant and somewhat symbolic act that’s all about offering atonement for sin. Here’s a simple explanation: What it says: “And the priest shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle of the blood seven times before the LORD, before the vail of the sanctuary.” Let's unpack it step-by-step: 1. “The priest shall dip his finger in the blood…” – This means the priest is carefully applying a small amount of blood to his finger. It’s not about drinking blood; it’s about symbolically “washing” it away from the guilt and wrongdoing of the person offering the sacrifice. 2. “…and sprinkle of the blood seven times before the LORD…” – This is the key part. The priest then sprinkles this blood seven times, each time with a specific action. This repetition emphasizes the seriousness of the act. 3. “…before the vail of the sanctuary.” - “The vail” refers to a special cloth hanging in the middle of the temple (the holy space). It’s a symbol of separation and holiness, representing the boundary between God and sin. So, the priest is sprinkling the blood before this sacred barrier. What's it trying to do? This act was a way for the priests to make amends for serious sins committed by people who were part of the community. It aimed to cleanse the area of impurity and bring about forgiveness from God. It’s like saying, “I acknowledge my wrongdoing and ask for a chance to be reconciled.” Why is this important? This story highlights that sin has consequences. The priests acted as intermediaries between God and humanity. By offering this ritual blood, they were symbolically washing away the stain of guilt and making it possible for people to be offered up to God's forgiveness. In a nutshell: It was a way for priests to show remorse and make amends for sins by symbolically cleansing themselves and the area around the temple with the act of sprinkling seven times. --- Do you want me to: Explain any specific part in more detail? Compare this passage to another story or concept? Give you a quick summary of its significance in the Bible?