Bible Lexicons

Girdlestone's Synonyms of the Old TestamentGirdlestone's OT Synonyms

Sprinkling

Two Hebrew words are rendered to sprinkle in the O.T. Zarak (זרק ) occurs thirty-five times, and is always so rendered, except in Isaiah 28:25, where it is translated scatter, and 2 Chronicles 34:4, where we find strew. It is curious that the LXX almost always renders it προσχέω, to pour, [This verb is not to be found in the N. T. but the noun derived from it (πρὀσχυσις) is used in Hebrews 11:28, of the shedding or sprinkling of the blood of the paschal lamb on the door-posts.] giving the idea of shedding or scattering rather than of sprinkling. The act set forth by this word was usually performed by means of a vessel, the name of which was derived from it, and which the LXX renders φιάλη, a phial (A. V. vial). It is first applied to the scattering of the ashes of the furnace, in Exodus 9:8; then to the pouring of the blood of the offering on the altar and on the people, in Exodus 24:6; Exodus 24:8; see also Exodus 29:16; Exodus 29:20; Leviticus 1:5; Leviticus 1:11; Leviticus 3:2; Leviticus 3:8; Leviticus 3:13; Leviticus 7:2; Leviticus 7:14; Leviticus 8:19; Leviticus 8:24; Leviticus 9:12; Leviticus 9:18; Leviticus 17:6; Numbers 18:17; 2 Kings 16:13; 2 Kings 16:15; 2 Chronicles 29:22; 2 Chronicles 30:16; 2 Chronicles 35:11 in Numbers 19:13; Numbers 19:20, it is applied to the sprinkling of the water of separation; and in Job 2:12, to the sprinkling of dust on the head; in Isaiah 28:25, to the scattering cummin; and in Hosea 7:9, to the grey hairs which are here and there (margin, sprinkled) on the head.

The word is once used in a spiritual sense, namely, in Ezekiel 36:25, 'Then will I sprinkle clean water up on you, and ye shall be clean.'

Nazah (נזה ) occurs twenty-four times, and is always rendered to sprinkle. It is not necessarily used in a ceremonial sense. The LXX renders it by ῥαίνω, ῥαντίζω, and their compounds. It is applied to the priest's sprinkling of blood with the finger before the vail, or on the side of the altar, or on the mercy-seat, on the occasion of the sin offering, in Leviticus 4:6; Leviticus 4:17; Leviticus 5:9; Leviticus 16:14-15; Leviticus 16:19. It is also applied to the sprinkling of the blood of the bird on the leper with hyssop, Leviticus 14:7; Leviticus 14:51; to the sprinkling the water of purifying and separation, Numbers 8:7; Numbers 19:21; and to the sprinkling of oil with the finger, Leviticus 8:11; Leviticus 8:30; Leviticus 14:16; Leviticus 14:27. The word is used with a spiritual significance in Isaiah 52:15, 'So shall he sprinkle many nations.' It signifies dropping, whilst Zarak marks pouring forth.

The sprinklings (ῥαντισμοί) specially referred to in the Epistle to the Hebrews are of two kinds - that which was performed with the ashes of a red heifer on persons who had contracted certain defilement (Hebrews 9:13), and that which was performed with blood on the people and the Book in making the old covenant; also on the tabernacle and various vessels connected with the sacred service (Hebrews 9:19; Hebrews 9:21). The substance of which these are the shadows is the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus, which speaketh better things than that of Abel (Hebrews 12:21).

St. Peter connects this 'sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ' with obedience, and both of these with 'sanctification of the spirit' (1 Peter 1:2). this sprinkling has its effect both in the sight of God, where it signifies reconciliation, and on the conscience of man, which it purges from dead works to serve the living God (Hebrews 9:14). Accordingly, the Christian is invited to approach God with a true heart sprinkled from an evil conscience (Hebrews 10:22).