◄ Exodus 29:12 ►
Take some of the blood of the bull and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger; then pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar.
Study Bible
Take some of the blood of the bull
The use of blood in sacrificial rituals is central to the Old Testament sacrificial system. Blood symbolizes life (Leviticus 17:11) and is used for atonement. The bull, a valuable animal, signifies the seriousness of sin and the cost of atonement. This act prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood was shed for the remission of sins (Hebrews 9:22).

and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger;
The horns of the altar, located at each corner, represent strength and power. Applying blood to the horns signifies the consecration and purification of the altar, making it holy and acceptable for offerings. This act also symbolizes the transfer of sin from the people to the altar, foreshadowing Christ's role as the sin-bearer (2 Corinthians 5:21).

then pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar.
Pouring the remaining blood at the base of the altar signifies the complete offering of life to God. It represents the total surrender and dedication required in worship. This act of pouring out is echoed in the New Testament, where Paul speaks of being "poured out like a drink offering" (Philippians 2:17), and ultimately in Jesus' sacrifice, where His blood was shed entirely for humanity's redemption.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who is receiving instructions from God on how to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests.

2. Aaron and his sons
The first priests of Israel, who are being consecrated for their priestly duties.

3. The Altar
A sacred place where sacrifices are made to God, symbolizing His presence and the atonement for sin.

4. The Bull
An animal used for the sin offering, representing the atonement for the sins of the priests.

5. The Tabernacle
The dwelling place of God among His people, where the altar is located.
Teaching Points
The Significance of Blood in Atonement
Blood is central to the atonement process, symbolizing life and the seriousness of sin. In the New Covenant, Jesus' blood fulfills this requirement once and for all.

The Role of the Altar
The altar is a place of sacrifice and meeting with God. In our lives, we must have a 'spiritual altar' where we regularly meet with God in prayer and repentance.

Consecration for Service
Just as Aaron and his sons were set apart for service, believers today are called to be consecrated for God's purposes, living lives that reflect His holiness.

Symbolism of the Horns of the Altar
The horns represent strength and power. Applying blood to them signifies the power of atonement and the strength found in God's forgiveness.

The Base of the Altar
Pouring the blood at the base signifies the foundation of our faith, which is built on the sacrificial work of Christ.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the use of blood in Exodus 29:12 foreshadow the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in the New Testament?

2. In what ways can we create a 'spiritual altar' in our daily lives to meet with God?

3. What does it mean to be consecrated for service in today's context, and how can we apply this in our personal and community life?

4. How does understanding the role of the altar in the Old Testament enhance our appreciation of Christ's sacrifice?

5. How can the symbolism of the horns of the altar encourage us in our spiritual walk and understanding of God's power in atonement?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 8:15
This verse describes the fulfillment of the instructions given in Exodus 29:12, where Moses actually performs the consecration ceremony.

Hebrews 9:22
This New Testament verse highlights the necessity of blood for the forgiveness of sins, connecting the Old Testament sacrificial system to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.

1 John 1:7
This verse speaks about the blood of Jesus purifying us from all sin, drawing a parallel to the purification rituals in the Old Testament.
Sermons
The Rites of Consecration for the PriesthoodJ. Orr Exodus 29:1-33
The Consecration of PriestsSpurgeon, Charles HaddonExodus 29:1-37
People
Aaron, Ephah, Israelites, Moses
Places
Egypt, Mount Sinai
Topics
Altar, Base, Beside, Blood, Bottom, Bull, Bullock, Draining, Finger, Foundation, Hast, Horns, Ox, Pour, Remaining, Rest
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 29:12

     4654   horn
     5152   fingers

Exodus 29:1-34

     4681   ram

Exodus 29:10-14

     4615   bull

Exodus 29:10-21

     7316   blood, OT sacrifices

Exodus 29:12-14

     7767   priests, OT institution

Library
The Copies of Things in the Heavens
'And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2. On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. 3. And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail. 4. And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof. 5. And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Eighth Day. Holiness and Indwelling.
And let them make me a holy place, that I may dwell among them.'--Ex. xxv. 8. 'And the tent shall be sanctified by my glory, and I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.'--Ex. xxix. 43, 45. The Presence of God makes holy, even when it descends but for a little while, as at Horeb, in the burning bush. How much more must that Presence make holy the place where it dwells, where it fixes its permanent abode! So much is this the case, that the place where God dwells …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

Thirtieth Day. The Unction from the Holy One.
And ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and ye know all things. And as for you, the anointing which ye received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any one teach you; but as His anointing teacheth you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, ye abide in Him.'--1 John ii. 20, 27. In the revelation by Moses of God's Holiness and His way of making holy, the priests, and specially the high priests, were the chief expression of God's Holiness in man. …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

Sixth Day. Holiness and Glory.
Who is like unto Thee, O Lord! among the gods? Who is like unto Thee, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders? Thou in Thy mercy hast led Thy people which Thou hast redeemed: Thou hast guided them in Thy strength to the habitation of Thy holiness ... The holy place, O Lord, which Thy hands have established.' --Ex. xv. 11-17. In these words we have another step in advance in the revelation of Holiness. We have here for the first time Holiness predicated of God Himself. He …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

That the Ruler Should be Always Chief in Action.
The ruler should always be chief in action, that by his living he may point out the way of life to those that are put under him, and that the flock, which follows the voice and manners of the shepherd, may learn how to walk better through example than through words. For he who is required by the necessity of his position to speak the highest things is compelled by the same necessity to exhibit the highest things. For that voice more readily penetrates the hearer's heart, which the speaker's life …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Twenty-Fourth Day. Holiness and Cleansing.
Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.'--2 Cor. vii. 1. That holiness is more than cleansing, and must be preceded by it, is taught us in more than one passage of the New Testament. 'Christ loved the Church, and gave Himself up for it, that He might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word.' 'If a man cleanse himself from these, he shall be a vessel …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

Thirtieth Lesson. An Holy Priesthood;'
An holy priesthood;' Or, The Ministry of Intercession. An holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.'--I Peter ii. 5. Ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord.'--Isaiah lxi. 6. THE Spirit of the Lord God is upon me: because the Lord hath anointed me.' These are the words of Jesus in Isaiah. As the fruit of His work all redeemed ones are priests, fellow-partakers with Him of His anointing with the Spirit as High Priest. Like the precious ointment upon …
Andrew Murray—With Christ in the School of Prayer

Man's Inability to Keep the Moral Law
Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God? No mere man, since the fall, is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but does daily break them, in thought, word, and deed. In many things we offend all.' James 3: 2. Man in his primitive state of innocence, was endowed with ability to keep the whole moral law. He had rectitude of mind, sanctity of will, and perfection of power. He had the copy of God's law written on his heart; no sooner did God command but he obeyed. …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

John's First Testimony to Jesus.
(Bethany Beyond Jordan, February, a.d. 27.) ^D John I. 19-34. ^d 19 And this is the witness of John [John had been sent to testify, "and" this is the matter of his testimony], when the Jews [The term "Jews" is used seventy times by John to describe the ruling classes of Judæa] sent unto him [In thus sending an embassy they honored John more than they ever honored Christ. They looked upon John as a priest and Judæan, but upon Jesus as a carpenter and Galilæan. It is probable that …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Covenant of Works
Q-12: I proceed to the next question, WHAT SPECIAL ACT OF PROVIDENCE DID GOD EXERCISE TOWARDS MAN IN THE ESTATE WHEREIN HE WAS CREATED? A: When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him upon condition of perfect obedience, forbidding him to eat of the tree of knowledge upon pain of death. For this, consult with Gen 2:16, 17: And the Lord commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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