Leviticus 4:7

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Leviticus 4:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the priest shall put of the blood upon the horns of the altar of sweet incense before Jehovah, which is in the tent of meeting; and all the blood of the bullock shall he pour out at the base of the altar of burnt-offering, which is at the door of the tent of meeting.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the priest shall put of the blood upon the horns of the altar of sweet incense before Jehovah, which is in the tent of meeting; and all the blood of the bullock shall he pour out at the base of the altar of burnt-offering, which is at the door of the tent of meeting.
Leviticus 4:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Leviticus 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7And the priest shall put of the blood upon the horns of the altar of sweet incense before Jehovah, which is in the tent of meeting; and all the blood of the bullock shall he pour out at the base of the altar of burnt-offering, which is at the door of the tent of meeting.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the priest shall put [some] of the blood, etc.] With his finger, which he dipped into it: upon the horns of the altar of sweet incense before the Lord, which is in the tabernacle of the congregation; this was the golden altar on which incense was offered: it was placed before the vail, on the outside of it, in the holy place, (see <023001>Exodus 30:1-6) and the priest, when he put the blood on the horns of it, began at the northeast horn, so to the northwest, then to the southwest, and last to the southeast f92; and the priest dipped his finger at every horn, and when he had finished at one horn, he wiped his finger at the edge of the basin, and after that dipped a second time; for what…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Pour - All the blood that was left after the sprinkling and the smearing should be disposed of in such a manner as to suit the decorum of divine service. It had no sacrificial significance. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“All the blood - All the rest; for part was disposed elsewhere. Leviticus 4:12”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:7 The altar for fragrant incense stood in front of the inner curtain, just outside the Most Holy Place (4:6). It had four protrusions resembling horns, as did the altar for burnt offerings (see study note on Exod 27:2). The priests burned incense on this altar to the Lord each morning and evening (Exod 30:1-10).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the horns: Lev 8:15, Lev 9:9, Lev 16:18; Exo 30:1-10; Psa 118:27; Heb 9:21-25 all the blood: Lev 4:18, Lev 4:34, Lev 5:9, Lev 8:15; Eph 2:13 Leviticus 4:8”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification