Leviticus 3:2—Was the blood poured on the altar or sprinkled on it?

Problem: In Leviticus 3:2, the priest was commanded to “sprinkle the blood all around on the altar.” But, in Deuteronomy 12:27, the blood was to be “poured” on the altar.

Solution: The great Jewish scholar Maimonides said that part of the blood was sprinkled on the altar and the rest was poured at the bottom of it. Others believe that the word “pour” could mean sprinkle. Just as today when rain is coming down strongly in sprinkles, we say it is pouring. In any event, there is no contradiction between the two passages.

This excerpt is from When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1992). © 2014 Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Click here to purchase this book.