Definition: Seven days thou shalt make an atonement for the altar, and sanctify it; and it shall be an altar most holy: whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Exodus 29:37. It’s a really important instruction given to Moses about how to handle temples and religious spaces. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that when you are working with or cleaning a temple (which was a place for worship), you need to treat it with extreme respect and holiness. It’s like protecting something precious and sacred. Let’s break it down word by word: “Seven days thou shalt make an atonement for the altar…” – This means you need to spend seven days cleaning and preparing the altar (the base of the temple). "Atonement" is a fancy word that basically means making amends or offering forgiveness. "...and sanctify it; and it shall be an altar most holy:" - "Sanctify" means to make something holy – to protect it from being used for something bad or unclean. “Most holy” emphasizes the level of purity and importance this space has. What does it really mean? Basically, Moses is telling us: “Treat this place with great care and reverence. It’s a sacred space that needs to be kept clean and pure.” It's a reminder that religious spaces are important and should be handled with dignity. Why was this verse given? This verse is part of the creation story in Genesis. God created the world and the temple, and he gave it to Moses as a guide for how to manage it properly. It highlights the importance of maintaining holiness and order when dealing with religious matters. --- Does that explanation make sense? Would you like me to: Explain another part of this verse? Connect it to a specific story or concept in the Bible?