King James Version

What Does Exodus 29:21 Mean?

Exodus 29:21 in the King James Version says “And thou shalt take of the blood that is upon the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it upon Aaron, and upon ... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Exodus 29:21 · KJV


Context

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:

23

And one loaf of bread, and one cake of oiled bread, and one wafer out of the basket of the unleavened bread that is before the LORD:


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 · 26 words
וְלָֽקַחְתָּ֞1 of 26

And thou shalt take

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מִן2 of 26
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַדָּ֨ם3 of 26

of the 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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר4 of 26
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עַֽל5 of 26
H5921

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

הַמִּזְבֵּחַ֮6 of 26

that is upon the altar

H4196

an altar

וּמִשֶּׁ֣מֶן7 of 26

oil

H8081

grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness

הַמִּשְׁחָה֒8 of 26

and of the anointing

H4888

unction (the act); by implication, a consecratory gift

וְהִזֵּיתָ֤9 of 26

and sprinkle

H5137

to spirt, i.e., besprinkle (especially in expiation)

עַֽל10 of 26
H5921

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

אַהֲרֹן֙11 of 26

it upon Aaron

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

וְעַל12 of 26
H5921

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

וּבִגְדֵ֥י13 of 26

and his garments

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

וְעַל14 of 26
H5921

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

בָנָ֖יו15 of 26

and 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

וְעַל16 of 26
H5921

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

וּבִגְדֵ֥י17 of 26

and his garments

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

בָנָ֖יו18 of 26

and 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

אִתּ֑וֹ19 of 26
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

וְקָדַ֥שׁ20 of 26

with him and he shall be hallowed

H6942

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

הוּא֙21 of 26
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וּבִגְדֵ֥י22 of 26

and his garments

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

בָנָ֖יו23 of 26

and 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

וּבִגְדֵ֥י24 of 26

and his garments

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

בָנָ֖יו25 of 26

and 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

אִתּֽוֹ׃26 of 26
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc


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 29:21 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 29:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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