Text: Leviticus 17:3-9
OT Text Referred to: Exodus 20:24-25
Subject: altar law and centralized slaughter
Source: Keil and Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament (1866)
Reference Type: Allusion
Connection Method(s): Longitudinal Theme
Significance: Exodus 20:24-25 establishes basic altar regulations—earth or uncut stone altars at divinely designated locations—while Leviticus 17:3-9 centralizes all sacrificial slaughter at the Tent of Meeting. Leviticus requires that anyone who slaughters an animal must bring it to the tabernacle entrance so the priest can sprinkle the blood on the LORD's altar; failure to do so is reckoned as bloodguilt (דָּם, dam). This development from Exodus's permissive altar law to Leviticus's exclusive centralization reflects the progressive narrowing of legitimate worship practice once the tabernacle was established, ensuring priestly mediation for all blood offerings and preventing sacrifices to field demons (שְׂעִירִם, se'irim).