King James Version

What Does Exodus 29:20 Mean?

Exodus 29:20 in the King James Version says “Then shalt thou kill the ram, and take of his blood, and put it upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and upon the tip... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then shalt thou kill the ram, and take of his blood, and put it upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and upon the tip of the right ear of his sons, and upon the thumb of their right hand, and upon the great toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about.

Exodus 29:20 · KJV


Context

18

And thou shalt burn the whole ram upon the altar: it is a burnt offering unto the LORD: it is a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

19

And thou shalt take the other ram; and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram.

20

Then shalt thou kill the ram, and take of his blood, and put it upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and upon the tip of the right ear of his sons, and upon the thumb of their right hand, and upon the great toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about.

21

And thou shalt take of the blood that is upon the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be hallowed, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him.

22

Also thou shalt take of the ram the fat and the rump, and the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and the right shoulder; for it is a ram of consecration:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The consecration ram's blood applied to Aaron's right ear, thumb, and toe symbolizes that priests must hear God's word (ear), act on it (thumb/hand), and walk in it (toe/foot). Blood application sanctifies these members for holy service. Christ's blood sanctifies our hearing, working, and walking—our complete life consecrated through His atonement. The right side emphasizes the place of honor and strength.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The blood application ceremony was unique to priestly consecration, marking the priests as blood-sanctified for service. This visible sign testified to their cleansing and separation for God's purposes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's blood sanctify your hearing, working, and walking?
  2. What does the 'right' (ear, hand, foot) emphasis teach about strength in service?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
וְשָֽׁחַטְתָּ֣1 of 29

Then shalt thou kill

H7819

to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre)

אֶת2 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָאַ֗יִל3 of 29

the ram

H352

properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree

וְלָֽקַחְתָּ֤4 of 29

and take

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

הַדָּ֛ם5 of 29

of his blood

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

וְנָֽתַתָּ֡ה6 of 29

and put

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

עַל7 of 29
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

תְּנ֨וּךְ8 of 29

and upon the tip

H8571

a pinnacle, i.e., extremity

אֹ֤זֶן9 of 29

ear

H241

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

אַֽהֲרֹ֜ן10 of 29

of Aaron

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

וְעַל11 of 29
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

תְּנ֨וּךְ12 of 29

and upon the tip

H8571

a pinnacle, i.e., extremity

אֹ֤זֶן13 of 29

ear

H241

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

בָּנָיו֙14 of 29

of his sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הַיְמָנִ֑ית15 of 29

of the right

H3233

right (i.e., at the right hand)

וְעַל16 of 29
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בֹּ֥הֶן17 of 29

and upon the great toe

H931

the thumb of the hand or great toe of the foot

יָדָם֙18 of 29

hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

הַיְמָנִ֑ית19 of 29

of the right

H3233

right (i.e., at the right hand)

וְעַל20 of 29
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בֹּ֥הֶן21 of 29

and upon the great toe

H931

the thumb of the hand or great toe of the foot

רַגְלָ֖ם22 of 29

foot

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

הַיְמָנִ֑ית23 of 29

of the right

H3233

right (i.e., at the right hand)

וְזָֽרַקְתָּ֧24 of 29

and sprinkle

H2236

to sprinkle (fluid or solid particles)

אֶת25 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַדָּ֛ם26 of 29

of his blood

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

עַל27 of 29
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ28 of 29

upon the altar

H4196

an altar

סָבִֽיב׃29 of 29

round about

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 29:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 29:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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