Definition: And he shall sprinkle of the blood of the sin offering upon the side of the altar; and the rest of the blood shall be wrung out at the bottom of the altar: it [is] a sin offering.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Leviticus 5:9. It’s a really important and complex part of Jewish law about how to offer sacrifices in temples. Here's an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a specific ritual – the “sin offering” – that was performed at the altar in the Temple in Jerusalem. It’s essentially a way to purify sin and make it acceptable before God. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And he shall sprinkle of the blood of the sin offering upon the side of the altar…” - This means the offering would be covered with a drop of blood – this is crucial . The blood is the key element. “…and the rest of the blood shall be wrung out at the bottom of the altar.” – This is where it gets more detailed. The blood isn’t just dropped on the surface. It's being drawn out from the bottom of the altar, like a drain. This is how the law made sure to get rid of all traces of sin. “it [is] a sin offering.” – This is the key word. The entire ritual was designed to be a way to acknowledge and deal with the consequences of wrongdoing. What’s the point? The purpose of this ritual, according to Jewish tradition, was to: Purify Sin: The blood represented the original sin that humans had committed. It was a visible sign that someone was broken by sin. Make it Acceptable: By pouring the blood out, the offering acknowledged and accepted the seriousness of the offense. It demonstrated a commitment to righteousness. Important Context (Briefly): This ritual was part of a larger system of laws governing sacrifices in ancient Israel. It's considered one of the most important and challenging parts of Jewish law because it’s about dealing with something deeply uncomfortable: sin. In short, this verse is a detailed description of a ritual where blood was poured onto an altar as a visible sign that someone had committed a sin, and the blood was collected to demonstrate repentance and acceptance. --- Disclaimer: I am an AI Chatbot and not a religious scholar. This explanation is for informational purposes only and does not constitute religious guidance. Do you have any other questions about this verse or would you like me to explain another part of Leviticus?