Definition: And he slew [it]; and Moses took the blood, and put [it] upon the horns of the altar round about with his finger, and purified the altar, and poured the blood at the bottom of the altar, and sanctified it, to make reconciliation upon it.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Leviticus 8:15. It’s a really important verse that speaks about a serious act of holiness and purification. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Imagine a man named Levi who was incredibly angry with God because he wasn't given the same privileges as others in his family. He felt like God wasn’t treating him fairly. He decided to do something very unusual – he killed a sheep (the “it” in the verse). Here’s what happened next: 1. The Killing: Levi killed this sheep, and then God instructed Moses to take the blood from the kill. 2. Putting on the Altar: Moses then placed the blood – that's the blood – onto the horns of the altar. Think of it like a special spot on the altar. 3. Purifying the Altar: He carefully cleaned and polished the altar, making it spotless. 4. Pouring the Blood: Finally, he poured the blood at the very bottom of the altar. This was a huge symbolic act – it's like washing away any impurity or wrongdoing. Why is this important? This verse is about atonement . It’s a way for God to show that He understands Levi’s anger and pain, and He wants to make things right with him. It’s a demonstration of God’s holiness – His perfect righteousness and justice. In essence, it’s a symbolic act of cleansing and reconciliation. It shows that God is willing to forgive and restore things through this powerful ritual. Think of it like this: It's like cleaning a dirty plate with a special, holy water – it removes the bad stuff so God can finally be satisfied. --- Do you have any specific questions about this verse that you’d like me to answer? For example: Are you curious about its meaning in a broader context of the Old Testament? Would you like me to explain what "atonement" means in more detail?