Topical Encyclopedia
The term "sprinkleth" is an archaic form of the verb "sprinkle," which appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, primarily in the Old Testament. It is often associated with ceremonial practices, purification rites, and the symbolic act of cleansing. The use of "sprinkleth" underscores the importance of ritual purity and the sanctification process in the religious life of ancient Israel.
Ceremonial Use in the Old TestamentIn the Mosaic Law, the act of sprinkling is frequently mentioned in the context of sacrificial rituals and purification ceremonies. The sprinkling of blood, water, or oil was a significant component of these rites, symbolizing the cleansing of sin and the consecration of individuals or objects to God.
One of the most notable instances of sprinkling is found in the instructions for the Day of Atonement.
Leviticus 16:14-15 describes the high priest's actions: "He is to take some of the bull’s blood and sprinkle it with his finger on the front of the mercy seat; he shall sprinkle some of it with his finger seven times before the mercy seat. Then he shall slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and bring its blood inside the veil. He is to do with the blood as he did with the bull’s blood: He shall sprinkle it against the mercy seat and in front of it."
This act of sprinkling blood was central to the atonement process, symbolizing the covering of sin and the restoration of the covenant relationship between God and His people.
Purification RitesSprinkling was also used in various purification rites. In
Numbers 19:18-19 , the ritual for cleansing those who had come into contact with a dead body is described: "Then a ceremonially clean person is to take hyssop, dip it in the water, and sprinkle it on the tent, on all the furnishings, and on the people who were there. He must also sprinkle the one who touched a bone, a grave, a person who died, or a person who was slain. The clean person is to sprinkle the unclean on the third and seventh days. On the seventh day he is to purify him, and the one being cleansed must wash his clothes and bathe in water, and he will be clean by evening."
This ritual highlights the importance of maintaining ceremonial purity and the role of sprinkling as a means of achieving it.
Symbolic and Prophetic UsesBeyond its literal application, sprinkling also carries symbolic and prophetic significance. In
Isaiah 52:15 , the Servant of the Lord is said to "sprinkle many nations," a prophetic reference to the redemptive work of the Messiah: "So He will sprinkle many nations; kings will shut their mouths because of Him. For they will see what they have not been told, and they will understand what they have not heard."
This passage suggests the far-reaching impact of the Messiah's atoning work, extending beyond Israel to the nations, and the transformative power of His sacrifice.
New Testament ReflectionsWhile the term "sprinkleth" itself is not used in the New Testament, the concept of sprinkling is echoed in the epistle to the Hebrews, which draws heavily on Old Testament imagery to explain the work of Christ.
Hebrews 9:13-14 states, "For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who are unclean sanctifies them so that their flesh is clean, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!"
Here, the author of Hebrews contrasts the temporary and external cleansing of the Old Covenant with the eternal and internal purification accomplished by the blood of Christ, emphasizing the superiority of the New Covenant.
In summary, the concept of "sprinkleth" in the Bible is deeply rooted in the themes of purification, atonement, and consecration, serving as a powerful symbol of God's provision for cleansing and sanctification through both the Old and New Covenants.
Library
Psalm LXIII.
... But now in order that we may not faint in this desert, Hesprinkleth upon us the
dew of His word, and leaveth us not utterly to dry up, so that there should...
It Raiseth Corn to Supply You with Food
... It moveth and laboureth night and day for your comfort and service; itsprinkleth
flowers upon the ground for your pleasure; and in all these things sheweth...
The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
... True, Christ died for our sins as a sacrifice, and as a priest hesprinkleth with
his blood the mercyseat; ay, but here is one that has sinned after profession...
A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus...
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <....
Thesaurus
Sprinkleth (11 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Sprinkleth (11 Occurrences). Exodus 9:10 And they
take the soot of the furnace, and stand before Pharaoh
...Slaughtereth (13 Occurrences)
... upon it. (YLT). Leviticus 8:19 and 'one' slaughtereth, and Mosessprinkleth
the blood on the altar round about; (YLT). Leviticus 8...
Sprinkling (48 Occurrences)
... Numbers 19:21 And it shall be a perpetual statute unto them: and he thatsprinkleth
the water for impurity shall wash his clothes, and he that toucheth the...
Dasheth (5 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 7:14 And of it he shall offer one out of each oblation for a heave-offering
unto Jehovah; it shall be the priest's thatsprinkleth the blood of the...
Perfumeth (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Kings 16:13 and perfumeth his burnt-offering, and his present, and poureth out
his libation, andsprinkleth the blood of the peace-offerings that he hath, on...
Peace-offerings (82 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 7:14 And of it he shall offer one out of each oblation for a heave-offering
unto Jehovah; it shall be the priest's thatsprinkleth the blood of the...
Poureth (28 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 16:13 and perfumeth his burnt-offering, and his present, and poureth out
his libation, andsprinkleth the blood of the peace-offerings that he hath, on...
Anointeth (6 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 8:11 and hesprinkleth of it on the altar seven times, and anointeth the
altar, and all its vessels, and the laver, and its base, to sanctify them...
Sanctifieth (21 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 8:30 And Moses taketh of the anointing oil, and of the blood which 'is'
on the altar, andsprinkleth on Aaron, on his garments, and on his sons, and...
Sprinkles (2 Occurrences)
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