The new altar had to be consecrated (set apart for holy use) before it could be used.
On the first day, the priests were to offer a young bull as a sin offering. They were to put its blood on the horns and corners of the altar. This act made the altar ready for holy service.
After this, they burned the body of the sin offering outside the sacred area. This was the same practice used with the tabernacle (compare Leviticus 4:11–12).