Bible Strands
Exodus 24:6
Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and the other half he splattered on the altar.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses performs this action during the covenant ratification ceremony, immediately after the young men of Israel have presented burnt and peace offerings. He divides the sacrificial blood before the people prepare to receive the reading of the Book of the Covenant.
The words — The Hebrew וַ/יִּקַּ֤ח (va/i.yi.Kach) means "and he took," denoting Moses' deliberate physical handling of the blood. חֲצִ֣י (cha.Tzi) translates literally as "half of," specifying the exact division of הַ/דָּ֔ם (ha./Dam), "the blood."
The thread — This divided blood ritual establishes the covenant pattern that Hebrews 9:18 notes required blood to initiate the first covenant. The same blood is later splattered on the people in Exodus 24:8 to seal the agreement, while 1 Peter 1:19 contrasts it with the unblemished blood of Christ.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that covenant relationship requires a tangible, life-giving exchange mediated by a designated leader. It frames obedience to God's words as dependent on the prior establishment of a blood-bound agreement.
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The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar.
Cross-references
- 1 Peter 1:19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.
- Exodus 24:8 So Moses took the blood, splattered it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.”
- Hebrews 9:18 That is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood.
- Leviticus 4:6 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.
- Exodus 12:7 They are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.
- Exodus 12:22 Take a cluster of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin, and brush the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe. None of you shall go out the door of his house until morning.
- Exodus 29:16 You are to slaughter the ram, take its blood, and splatter it on all sides of the altar.
- Exodus 29:20 Slaughter the ram, take some of its blood, and put it on the right earlobes of Aaron and his sons, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. Splatter the remaining blood on all sides of the altar.
- Leviticus 1:5 And he shall slaughter the young bull before the LORD, and Aaron’s sons the priests are to present the blood and splatter it on all sides of the altar at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
- Leviticus 1:11 He shall slaughter it on the north side of the altar before the LORD, and Aaron’s sons the priests are to splatter its blood against the altar on all sides.