The pouring out of animals' blood in sacrifice was God's provision, under the old covenant, for the atonement of sin.
God's provision of blood sacrifice to establish the old covenant
Exodus 24:4–8 See also Hebrews 9:18–20
And Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. Early the next morning he got up and built an altar at the base of the mountain, along with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel. Then he sent out some young men of Israel, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as peace offerings to the LORD. Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and the other half he splattered on the altar. Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people, who replied, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” 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.”
God's provision of blood sacrifices within the old covenant
Blood sacrifices and the priesthood
Exodus 29:10–21 parallel Leviticus 8:14–24; Leviticus 9:8–14, Leviticus 16:1–14
Blood sacrifices and various offerings
Leviticus 1:1–17 the burnt offering, to gain favour or express devotion; Leviticus 3:1–17 the fellowship, or peace, offering, to express gratitude; Leviticus 4:1–35 the sin offering, to gain forgiveness; Leviticus 5:14–19 the guilt offering, where restitution was required; Leviticus 16:15–22 the Day of Atonement, for the cleansing of the nation from unintentional sin
Blood sacrifices and the Passover
Exodus 12:1–14 See also 2 Chronicles 30:15–20, 2 Chronicles 35:1–19; Ezra 6:19–21; Mark 14:12 parallel Luke 22:7–8
Blood sacrifices must come from animals without defect
Leviticus 22:17–25 See also Exodus 12:5; Leviticus 1:3, Leviticus 3:1, Leviticus 4:3, Leviticus 5:15; Numbers 28:9, Numbers 28:11; Deuteronomy 15:21; Ezekiel 43:22–27
Blood sacrifices must not come from human beings
2 Kings 23:10 See also 2 Kings 17:17, 2 Kings 21:1–6; Ezekiel 20:25–26; Micah 6:7
He also desecrated Topheth in the Valley of Ben-hinnom so that no one could sacrifice his son or daughter in the fire to Molech.
The limited effect of blood sacrifices
They can become mere external ritual
Isaiah 1:11–13 See also Isaiah 66:2–4
“What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you— this trampling of My courts? Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations— I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly.
They are worthless without obedience to God
Hosea 6:6 See also 1 Samuel 15:22–23; Psalm 40:6–8; Amos 4:4–5, Amos 5:21–27
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
They are unable to cleanse the conscience
Hebrews 9:9–10 See also Hebrews 10:1–4
It is an illustration for the present time, because the gifts and sacrifices being offered were unable to cleanse the conscience of the worshiper. They consist only in food and drink and special washings — external regulations imposed until the time of reform.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.