Leviticus 8:21 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "And he washed the inwards and the legs in water; and Moses burnt the whole ram upon the altar: it was a burnt sacrifice for a sweet savour, and an offering made by fire unto the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses."

In order to fully understand the significance of this verse, it is important to consider its context within the book of Leviticus. Leviticus is the third book of the Bible, and it focuses on the laws and regulations given to the Israelites by God through the prophet Moses. The book of Leviticus is often seen as a guide for the Israelites on how to live a holy and righteous life before God. It includes instructions for worship, sacrifices, cleanliness, and moral conduct.

Leviticus 8 describes the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests. In this chapter, God commands Moses to anoint Aaron and his sons with oil and to consecrate them to serve as priests before Him. Part of this consecration process involves the offering of various sacrifices on the altar. This is the context in which Leviticus 8:21 is situated.

The verse itself describes the specific actions that Moses took in offering a ram as a burnt sacrifice to the Lord. First, Moses washed the inward parts and the legs of the ram with water. This act of washing symbolizes the cleansing of the sacrifice and the importance of purity in worship. It also serves as a reminder of the need for spiritual cleanliness in approaching God.

After washing the ram, Moses proceeded to burn the entire animal upon the altar. The burnt sacrifice was a way for the people to show their devotion and dedication to God. By completely consuming the ram with fire, the Israelites were demonstrating their commitment to surrendering all of themselves to the Lord. The aroma of the burnt offering was described as a "sweet savour" before the Lord, signifying that it was pleasing and acceptable to Him.

This verse also emphasizes the fact that the burnt sacrifice was made "as the Lord commanded Moses." This highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands in the act of worship. It serves as a reminder that true worship is not about what we want to offer, but about offering what God desires and has instructed.

Symbolically, the act of offering a burnt sacrifice represents the giving of oneself completely to God. The burning of the sacrifice signifies the total surrender and dedication of the worshipper to the Lord. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul urges believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, as an act of spiritual worship (Romans 12:1).

Furthermore, the concept of sacrifice and atonement is central to the Christian faith. The burnt offerings in the Old Testament foreshadow the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Just as the ram was offered as a sacrifice to atone for the sins of the people, Jesus offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin for all who believe in Him.

In conclusion, Leviticus 8:21 serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience, purity, and total surrender in worship. It also points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the significance of His atoning work on the cross. As believers, we are called to offer ourselves as living sacrifices in response to God's mercy and grace. This verse provides profound insight into the nature of worship and the redemptive work of God throughout history.