Leviticus 4:17
Leviticus 4:17 in Multiple Translations
and he is to dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle it seven times before the LORD in front of the veil.
And the priest shall dip his finger in some of the blood, and sprinkle it seven times before the LORD, even before the vail.
and the priest shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle it seven times before Jehovah, before the veil.
And put his finger in the blood, shaking drops of the blood seven times before the Lord in front of the veil.
He shall dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle it seven times before the Lord in front of the veil.
And the Priest shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle it seuen times before the Lord, euen before the vaile.
and the priest hath dipped his finger in the blood, and hath sprinkled seven times before Jehovah at the front of the vail,
The priest shall dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle it seven times before the LORD, before the veil.
And the priest shall dip his finger in some of the blood, and sprinkle it seven times before the LORD, even before the vail.
And shall dip his finger in it and sprinkle it seven times before the veil.
‘He must dip one of his fingers into the blood and sprinkle it seven times in the presence of Yahweh, in front of the curtain that separates the Holy Place from the Very Holy Place.
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 4:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Leviticus 4:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/טָבַ֧ל
הַ/כֹּהֵ֛ן
אֶצְבָּע֖/וֹ
מִן
הַ/דָּ֑ם
וְ/הִזָּ֞ה
שֶׁ֤בַע
פְּעָמִים֙
לִ/פְנֵ֣י
יְהוָ֔ה
אֵ֖ת
פְּנֵ֥י
הַ/פָּרֹֽכֶת
וְ/טָבַ֧ל
ṭâbal
H2881
to dip
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
הַ/כֹּהֵ֛ן
kôhên
H3548
priest
Art | N-ms
אֶצְבָּע֖/וֹ
ʼetsbaʻ
H676
finger
N-fs | Suff
מִן
min
H4480
from
Prep
הַ/דָּ֑ם
dâm
H1818
blood
Art | N-ms
וְ/הִזָּ֞ה
nâzâh
H5137
to sprinkle
Conj | V-Hiphil-3ms
שֶׁ֤בַע
shebaʻ
H7651
seven
Adj
פְּעָמִים֙
paʻam
H6471
beat
N-fp
לִ/פְנֵ֣י
pânîym
H6440
face
Prep | N-cp
יְהוָ֔ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
אֵ֖ת
ʼêth
H854
with
Prep
פְּנֵ֥י
pânîym
H6440
face
N-cp
הַ/פָּרֹֽכֶת
pôreketh
H6532
curtain
Art | N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 4:17
וְ/טָבַ֧ל
ṭâbal
H2881
"to dip"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
This Hebrew word means to dip or immerse something in a liquid, like water or oil. It is used in the Bible to describe various actions, such as dipping food or plunging into water.
Definition: 1) to dip, dip into, plunge 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to dip in or into 1a2) to dip oneself 1b) (Niphal) to be dipped
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: dip, plunge. See also: Genesis 37:31; Numbers 19:18; Job 9:31.
הַ/כֹּהֵ֛ן
kôhên
H3548
"priest"
Art | N-ms
In the Bible, a priest is a person who serves God and leads others in worship, like the Levitical priests in Exodus. They were responsible for making sacrifices and following God's laws. This term is also used to describe Jesus as a priest-king.
Definition: 1) priest, principal officer or chief ruler 1a) priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah) 1b) pagan priests 1c) priests of Jehovah 1d) Levitical priests 1e) Zadokite priests 1f) Aaronic priests 1g) the high priest Aramaic equivalent: ka.hen (כָּהֵן "priest" H3549)
Usage: Occurs in 653 OT verses. KJV: chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. See also: Genesis 14:18; Leviticus 13:33; Numbers 17:2.
אֶצְבָּע֖/וֹ
ʼetsbaʻ
H676
"finger"
N-fs | Suff
In Hebrew, this word refers to a finger or a toe, something used to grasp or hold things. It is used in the Bible to describe both the fingers on the hand and the toes on the feet. The Aramaic equivalent is also 'digit'.
Definition: finger, toe Aramaic equivalent: ets.ba (אֶצְבַּע "digit" H0677)
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: finger, toe. See also: Exodus 8:15; Numbers 19:4; Psalms 8:4.
מִן
min
H4480
"from"
Prep
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
הַ/דָּ֑ם
dâm
H1818
"blood"
Art | N-ms
Blood refers to the liquid that flows through the body, essential for life. In the Bible, blood is often used to symbolize life, guilt, or sacrifice, as seen in the story of Jesus' crucifixion.
Definition: 1) blood 1a) of wine (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 295 OT verses. KJV: blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), [phrase] innocent. See also: Genesis 4:10; Numbers 19:5; Psalms 5:7.
וְ/הִזָּ֞ה
nâzâh
H5137
"to sprinkle"
Conj | V-Hiphil-3ms
To spring or spirt means to jump or leap, and can also mean to sprinkle something, often in a ritual. This word is used in the Bible to describe actions like sprinkling water for purification. It is a verb that implies sudden movement.
Definition: 1) to spurt, spatter, sprinkle 1a) (Qal) to spurt, spatter 1b) (Hiphil) to cause to spurt, sprinkle upon
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: sprinkle. See also: Exodus 29:21; Leviticus 16:14; Isaiah 52:15.
שֶׁ֤בַע
shebaʻ
H7651
"seven"
Adj
This word means the number seven, which was considered a special or sacred number. It can also mean seven times or a week, and is used in the Bible to describe completeness or perfection. The KJV translates it as seven or sevenfold.
Definition: 1) seven (cardinal number) 1a) as ordinal number 1b) in combination-17, 700 etc Aramaic equivalent: shiv.ah (שִׁבְעָה "seven" H7655)
Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] by) seven(-fold),-s, (-teen, -teenth), -th, times). Compare H7658 (שִׁבְעָנָה). See also: Genesis 4:24; Leviticus 23:15; 2 Samuel 21:6.
פְּעָמִים֙
paʻam
H6471
"beat"
N-fp
This word refers to a beat or stroke, like a footstep or a blow. It can also mean a time or occurrence, and is used in the Bible to describe things like a single step or a repeated action.
Definition: 1) stroke, beat, foot, step, anvil, occurrence 1a) foot, hoof-beat, footfall, footstep 1b) anvil 1c) occurrence, time, stroke, beat 1c1) one time, once, twice, thrice, as time on time, at this repetition, this once, now at length, now...now, at one time...at another
Usage: Occurs in 108 OT verses. KJV: anvil, corner, foot(-step), going, (hundred-) fold, [idiom] now, (this) [phrase] once, order, rank, step, [phrase] thrice, (often-), second, this, two) time(-s), twice, wheel. See also: Genesis 2:23; 1 Samuel 3:10; Psalms 17:5.
לִ/פְנֵ֣י
pânîym
H6440
"face"
Prep | N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
יְהוָ֔ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
אֵ֖ת
ʼêth
H854
"with"
Prep
This Hebrew preposition means 'with' or 'near', indicating a close relationship or physical proximity. It's used in Genesis 1:26 to describe God's relationship with humanity, and in many other places to show connection or closeness.
Definition: 1) with, near, together with 1a) with, together with 1b) with (of relationship) 1c) near (of place) 1d) with (poss.) 1e) from...with, from (with other prep)
Usage: Occurs in 787 OT verses. KJV: against, among, before, by, for, from, in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional prefix. See also: Genesis 4:1; Genesis 42:32; Numbers 1:5.
פְּנֵ֥י
pânîym
H6440
"face"
N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
הַ/פָּרֹֽכֶת
pôreketh
H6532
"curtain"
Art | N-fs
This word refers to a curtain or veil, like a screen that separates one area from another. In the Bible, it is used to describe the veil in the Temple that separated the holy place from the most holy place.
Definition: curtain, veil
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: vail. See also: Exodus 26:31; Exodus 40:22; 2 Chronicles 3:14.
Study Notes — Leviticus 4:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Laws for Sin Offerings
15The elders of the congregation are to lay their hands on the bull’s head before the LORD, and it shall be slaughtered before the LORD.
16Then the anointed priest is to bring some of the bull’s blood into the Tent of Meeting,
17and he is to dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle it seven times before the LORD in front of the veil.
18He is also to put some of the blood on the horns of the altar that is before the LORD in the Tent of Meeting, and he must pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 19And he is to remove all the fat from it and burn it on the altar.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 4:6–7 | The priest is to dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle some of it seven times before the LORD, in front of the veil of the sanctuary. The priest must then put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense that is before the LORD in the Tent of Meeting. And he is to pour out the rest of the bull’s blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. |
Leviticus 4:17 Summary
This verse is talking about a special ritual where a priest would sprinkle blood in front of a curtain in the Tent of Meeting to ask for God's forgiveness. The priest would dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle it seven times, which is a special number that means completeness. This ritual was important because it showed that the people needed to be forgiven for their sins, and it points forward to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who shed His blood to forgive our sins (as seen in Romans 3:25 and Hebrews 9:22). By understanding this ritual, we can see how much God cares about our sin and our need for forgiveness, and how He has provided a way for us to be forgiven through Jesus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of sprinkling the blood seven times before the Lord?
The number seven in the Bible often represents completeness or perfection, as seen in Genesis 2:2-3 where God rested on the seventh day. In this context, sprinkling the blood seven times may symbolize the complete atonement for sin before the Lord.
Why did the priest need to dip his finger in the blood to sprinkle it?
The act of dipping his finger in the blood and then sprinkling it was a deliberate and intentional action, emphasizing the priest's role as a mediator between God and the people, similar to how Moses acted as a mediator in Exodus 32:30-32.
What is the veil that the priest is sprinkling the blood in front of?
The veil refers to the curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place in the Tent of Meeting, as described in Exodus 26:31-33. This veil symbolized the separation between God's presence and the people, and the priest's actions were a reminder of the need for atonement to approach God.
How does this ritual relate to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ?
The sprinkling of blood in Leviticus 4:17 foreshadows the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who shed His blood to atone for the sins of humanity, as described in Hebrews 9:11-14 and 10:19-22.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about the importance of atonement and forgiveness in our relationship with God?
- How can I apply the principle of intentional and deliberate action in my own worship and service to God?
- What does the image of the veil and the priest's actions teach me about the nature of God's presence and my approach to Him?
- How does the symbolism of the blood and the sprinkling action speak to me about the power and significance of Jesus' sacrifice?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 4:17
[See comments on Leviticus 4:16].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 4:17
When the sin, which they have sinned against it, is known, then the congregation shall offer a young bullock for the sin, and bring him before the tabernacle of the congregation. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 4:17
Leviticus 4:17 And the priest shall dip his finger [in some] of the blood, and sprinkle [it] seven times before the LORD, [even] before the vail.Ver. 17. Seven times.] A number of perfection; to note the most absolute sufficiency of Christ’ s death to purge and reconcile us to God; and that he is able to save such to the uttermost (ειςτοπαντελες) that come unto God by him.
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 4:17
(16-21) The rest of the regulations are exactly the same as those prescribed in the sin offering for the high priest himself in Leviticus 4:5-12.
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 4:17
13–21. The Sin-Offering for the congregation, a bullock