Exodus 24:8

Context

This scene belongs to the Sinai narrative that begins in Exodus 19. Having received the ordinances from God (chapters 20–23), Moses conducts a ceremony to establish a covenant with the people of Israel. Moses first builds an altar and sets up twelve pillars representing the twelve tribes. He then has young men offer burnt offerings and peace offerings, and he sprinkles half of the blood on the altar (24:6). Next he reads the "book of the covenant" to the people, who respond that they will do all that the LORD has said (24:7). In verse 8 Moses sprinkles the remaining blood on the people and declares, "Behold the blood of the covenant." Afterward Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders go up the mountain, see God, and eat and drink (24:9–11).

Interpretation

• As a covenant-ratification ceremony: Many Old Testament scholars note that the same blood is divided between the altar and the people. Since the altar represents God's side and the people represent the human side, they see this as a sign that the two parties have been bound together in a single relationship. Because the blood is sprinkled after the people promise obedience, interpreters also emphasize that the act confirms the obligations that accompany the covenant.
• As a ceremony setting the people apart: The ordination of the priests in Leviticus 8 also includes a sprinkling of blood. Noting this parallel, some interpreters read the ceremony as an act consecrating Israel as "a kingdom of priests" (Exodus 19:6).
• In connection with Christ: Protestant interpreters across many denominations generally link this verse to the New Testament. At the Last Supper, Jesus spoke of the cup as his own blood of the covenant (Mark 14:24), while Luke and 1 Corinthians record it as the "new covenant" (KJV "new testament"). Hebrews 9:18–22 cites this verse to explain that the first covenant was also dedicated with blood, contrasting it with the new covenant established by the blood of Christ.

Debates and Issues

• Differences from the account in Hebrews: Hebrews 9:19–20 states that Moses used water, scarlet wool, and hyssop and also sprinkled the book of the covenant with blood. Exodus 24, however, contains no such details. Proposed explanations include the view that the author was also drawing on other purification rites and the view that the passage reflects Jewish tradition of the time.
• Connection to understandings of the Lord's Supper: Because the expression "the blood of the covenant" carries over into the words of institution, this verse is sometimes brought up in discussions of how different traditions understand the meaning of the Communion cup (→ Eucharistic controversies). There is, however, no marked disagreement among denominations over the interpretation of this verse itself.

In the Korean Church

"The blood of the covenant" is a familiar expression to Korean Christians through the words of institution read when the cup is shared at the Lord's Supper. The verse is sometimes read in sermons during Holy Week or on the theme of Communion, where it is used to connect the Old Testament covenant with the cross.

Related Passages

• Exodus 19:5-6
• Luke 22:19-20
• 1 Corinthians 11:20-26
• Hebrews 8:6-13
• Hebrews 9:18-22