Leviticus 8:21
And he washed the inwards and the legs in water; and Moses burnt the whole ram upon the altar: it was a burnt sacrifice for a sweet savour, and an offering made by fire unto the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Leviticus 8:21 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse, we see the detailed process of offering a burnt sacrifice to the Lord, as commanded by Moses. The act of washing the inwards and legs of the ram in water symbolizes purification and cleansing before presenting the sacrifice to God. The burning of the entire ram on the altar signifies complete devotion and surrender to the Lord. The burnt sacrifice was intended to be a sweet-smelling aroma to God, pleasing and acceptable in His sight. This offering made by fire was a way for the people to show their gratitude, repentance, and dedication to God. By following the instructions given by the Lord through Moses, the people were demonstrating their obedience and reverence for Him. This ritual was a significant part of their worship and relationship with God, serving as a reminder of His holiness, mercy, and grace.
Theological Overview
One significant aspect of the verse is the mention of the priest washing the inwards and legs in water before offering the ram as a burnt sacrifice. In the Old Testament, washing was often associated with ritual purity and symbolized cleansing. This act could be seen as a preparation for the sacrifice, signifying the importance of coming before the Lord in a state of purity. Additionally, the burning of the entire ram on the altar was a common practice in ancient sacrificial rituals. It represented the complete dedication of the sacrifice to God. The phrase "a sweet savour" implies that the offering was pleasing to the Lord, indicating that it was done in accordance with His will. The mention of the offering being made "by fire unto the LORD" reinforces the idea of the sacrifice as a gift given to God. Overall, this verse demonstrates the importance of obedience to God's commands and the symbolism behind the sacrificial system in ancient Israel.
Leviticus 8:21 in other translations
American Standard Version
And he washed the inwards and the legs with water; and Moses burnt the whole ram upon the altar: it was a burnt-offering for a sweet savor: it was an offering made by fire unto Jehovah; as Jehovah commanded Moses.
World English Bible
He washed the innards and the legs with water; and Moses burned the whole ram on the altar. It was a burnt offering for a pleasant aroma. It was an offering made by fire to Yahweh; as Yahweh commanded Moses.
Douay-Rheims
Having first washed the entrails, and the feet, and the whole ram together he burnt upon the altar: because it was a holocaust of most sweet odour to the Lord, as he had commanded him.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And washed the inwardes and the legges in water: so Moses burnt the ram euery whit vpon ye Altar: for it was a burnt offring for a sweete sauour, which was made by fire vnto the Lord, as the Lord had commanded Moses.