Why the sacrifices were important.
In the Old Testament, the main Hebrew word for sacrifice is קָרְבָּן korban. This comes from the root קרב KRB meaning “to approach.” And the Hebrew for a sacrificial offering means “coming close.” That is because by making these ritual sacrifices to God, He was being honored, and this gave worshippers a closer connection to Him.
How the Hebrew brings context.
The original languages of the Bible are key to understanding essential Biblical phrases. Like the last words Jesus uttered while being crucified: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit”, (Luke 23:46). This was the ultimate korban. However, in this case, the sacrifice was for all of humanity. By doing so, Jesus was able to draw closer to God than any being in existence.
And this is the reason, for those who believe in the New Testament’s teachings, that drawing closer to Jesus serves as a direct connection to God. This is the meaning of His sacrifice.
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