Leviticus 6:9 - “Command Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the law of the burnt offering: the burnt offering shall be on the hearth on the altar all night until the morning; and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it.
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What does "Leviticus 6:9" mean?
Leviticus 6:9 lays out a specific instruction for the priests (Aaron and his sons) regarding the burnt offering in the sacrificial system of ancient Israel. Let's break down the meaning:
"Command Aaron and his sons, saying...": This indicates the importance of the instruction. It's a direct commandment from God, given to the priests who are responsible for the ritual practices.
"This is the law of the burnt offering...": This identifies the passage as defining a specific part of the Torah (law) related to the Olah offering (burnt offering). The burnt offering was a sacrifice where an animal was entirely consumed by fire, symbolizing complete devotion and atonement.
"...the burnt offering shall be on the hearth on the altar all night until the morning...": This specifies that after the burnt offering was placed on the altar, it had to remain there, burning, throughout the night. It was not to be removed until the next morning. This emphasized the continuous nature of atonement and relationship with God. It signified that God's presence and covenant were maintained through the night.
"...and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it.": This is arguably the most important part. The fire on the altar was not to be allowed to go out. It was a perpetual flame, representing God's constant presence and acceptance of the sacrifices. The priests had the sacred duty to ensure this flame never extinguished.
In essence, the verse means:
The priests were commanded to maintain the burnt offering on the altar throughout the night, and most importantly, to keep the fire on the altar burning continuously. The purpose was to demonstrate continuous worship, atonement, and the unwavering presence of God among the Israelites. The eternal flame symbolized the unbroken covenant between God and His people.
Symbolic Significance:
Beyond the literal instructions, the constant fire and continuous sacrifice carried symbolic weight:
Continuous Worship/Devotion: The fire symbolizes the continuous worship and devotion that God expects from His people.
Perpetual Atonement: The ongoing sacrifice signified the ongoing need for atonement for sin and the provision God made for it.
God's Unending Presence: The ever-burning fire represented God's unending presence and watchfulness over His people.
Covenant Relationship: The constant fire symbolized the unbroken covenant relationship between God and Israel.
Many see the constant fire as an example of the believer's need to "keep the fire burning" in his or her own life by way of spending time in prayer, studying the Bible, and fellowshipping with other believers.
Leviticus 6:9 - “Command Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the law of the burnt offering: the burnt offering shall be on the hearth on the altar all night until the morning; and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it.
What does "Leviticus 6:9" mean?
Leviticus 6:9 lays out a specific instruction for the priests (Aaron and his sons) regarding the burnt offering in the sacrificial system of ancient Israel. Let's break down the meaning:
"Command Aaron and his sons, saying...": This indicates the importance of the instruction. It's a direct commandment from God, given to the priests who are responsible for the ritual practices.
"This is the law of the burnt offering...": This identifies the passage as defining a specific part of the Torah (law) related to the Olah offering (burnt offering). The burnt offering was a sacrifice where an animal was entirely consumed by fire, symbolizing complete devotion and atonement.
"...the burnt offering shall be on the hearth on the altar all night until the morning...": This specifies that after the burnt offering was placed on the altar, it had to remain there, burning, throughout the night. It was not to be removed until the next morning. This emphasized the continuous nature of atonement and relationship with God. It signified that God's presence and covenant were maintained through the night.
"...and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it.": This is arguably the most important part. The fire on the altar was not to be allowed to go out. It was a perpetual flame, representing God's constant presence and acceptance of the sacrifices. The priests had the sacred duty to ensure this flame never extinguished.
In essence, the verse means:
The priests were commanded to maintain the burnt offering on the altar throughout the night, and most importantly, to keep the fire on the altar burning continuously. The purpose was to demonstrate continuous worship, atonement, and the unwavering presence of God among the Israelites. The eternal flame symbolized the unbroken covenant between God and His people.
Symbolic Significance:
Beyond the literal instructions, the constant fire and continuous sacrifice carried symbolic weight:
Continuous Worship/Devotion: The fire symbolizes the continuous worship and devotion that God expects from His people.
Perpetual Atonement: The ongoing sacrifice signified the ongoing need for atonement for sin and the provision God made for it.
God's Unending Presence: The ever-burning fire represented God's unending presence and watchfulness over His people.
Covenant Relationship: The constant fire symbolized the unbroken covenant relationship between God and Israel.
Many see the constant fire as an example of the believer's need to "keep the fire burning" in his or her own life by way of spending time in prayer, studying the Bible, and fellowshipping with other believers.