The Blood Sprinkled 7 Times
“The priest shall dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle some of the blood seven times before the Lord, in front of the veil of the sanctuary”.
Leviticus 4:6 also verse 17
The high priest was the only one able to officiate this important service. In the other sacrifices, the blood was sprinkled on the altar of burnt offering in the court or placed upon its horns. But when the High priest transgressed, the blood was carried into the sanctuary itself. This was undoubtedly because his sin was regarded greater than that of any other person in the sight of the Holy God.
The priest dipped his finger in some of the blood and sprinkled it 7 times before the veil, “before the Lord.” Also, he put some of the blood upon the horns of the altar of incense, which is also said to be “before the Lord” (verse 7). It should be noted that the priest used only one finger in sprinkling. He did that so that only a small portion of the blood of the bullock was used. And the number seven is a symbol of perfection or completion. The priest did not sprinkle the blood on the veil, but before it.
Furthermore, this sprinkling was done only when the anointed priest or the whole congregation sinned. There is no mention of how often the high priest sinned and brought a bullock as an offering. But it was possibly not often. Also, there is no mention of how often the entire people transgressed and had to bring a bullock.
It is clear that people often sinned individually. But the Scriptures mention only few instances of national sin. The only clear mention is when the Israelites sinned by worshiping and dancing around the golden calf. Certainly, there were other incidents of national sin, but as the offering was only to be done when they repented of their sins, it is not probable that there could have been many occurrences.
The sprinkling of blood occurred with reference to the law, which was directly behind the veil. However, the blood did not reach the law; the veil interfered. In the daily service, the sinner didn’t have to face the law. But he did face it at the Day of Atonement, which, in symbol, was the day of judgment for Israel (Hebrews 10:19, 20).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
