Exodus 29
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Take one young bullock - This consecration did not take place till after the erection of the tabernacle. See Lev 8:9-14.
Open source ↗CONSECRATING THE PRIESTS AND THE ALTAR. (Exo. 29:1-35) hallow them, to minister unto me in the priest's office--The act of inaugurating the priests was accompanied by ceremonial solemnities well calculated not only to lead the people to entertain exalted views of the office, but to impress those functionaries themselves with a profound sense of its magnitude and importance. In short, they were taught to know that the service was for them as well as for the people; and every time they engaged in a new performance of their duties, they were reminded of their personal interest in the worship, by being obliged to offer for themselves, before they were qualified to offer as the representatives of the people. this is the thing that thou shalt do--Steps are taken at the beginning of a society, which would not be repeated when the social machine was in full motion; and Moses, at the opening of the tabernacle, was employed to discharge functions which in later periods would have been regarded as sacrilege and punished with instant death. But he acted under the special directions of God.
Open source ↗And this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them,.... To Aaron and his sons: to "hallow" them; to sanctify them, set them apart, and consecrate them: to minister unto me in the priest's office; for which the Lord had appointed them, to which he had chose, called, and separated them: take one young bullock, and two rams without blemish; a young bullock was an heifer of three years old, according to Kimchi (t), and such an one was used in sacrifice in former times, see Gen 15:9 though Maimonides (u) says it was one of two years, and so Abendana (w), whose words are,"a bullock is a son of two years, and a ram is after he has entered into the second year thirty one days;''and so Ben Gersom; the bullock was an emblem of the strength, laboriousness, and patience of Christ, and both of them being without blemish, were typical of his purity and perfection in his nature and life, and especially in his sacrifice. (t) Comment. in Psal. lxix. 32. (u) Hilchot Zebachim, c. 1. sect. 14. (w) Not. in Miclol Yophi in loc.
Open source ↗Consecration of Aaron and his Sons through the anointing of their persons and the offering of sacrifices, the directions for which form the subject of vv. 1-35. This can only be fully understood in connection with the sacrificial law contained in Lev 1-7. It will be more advisable therefore to defer the examination of this ceremony till we come to Lev 8, where the consecration itself is described. The same may also be said of the expiation and anointing of the altar, which are commanded in Exo 29:36 and Exo 29:37, and carried out in Lev 8:11.
Open source ↗Here is, I. The law concerning the consecration of Aaron and his sons to the priest's office, which was to be done with a great deal of ceremony and solemnity, that they themselves might be duly affected with the greatness of the work to which they were called, and that the people also might learn to magnify the office and none might dare to invade it. 1. The ceremonies wherewith it was to be done were very fully and particularly appointed, because nothing of this kind had been done before, and because it was to be a statute for ever that the high priest should be thus inaugurated. Now, (1.) The work to be done was the consecrating of the persons whom God had chosen to be priests, by which they devoted and gave up themselves to the service of God and God declared his acceptance of them; and the people were made to know that they glorified not themselves to be made priests, but were called of God, Heb 5:4, Heb 5:5. They were thus distinguished from common men, sequestered from common services, and set apart for God and an immediate attendance on him. Note, All that are to be employed for God are to be sanctified to him. The person must first be accepted, and then the performance. The Hebrew phrase for consecrating is filling the hand (Exo 29:9): Thou shalt fill the hand of Aaron and his sons, and the ram of consecration is the ram of fillings, Exo 29:22, Exo 29:26. The consecrating of them was the perfecting of them; Christ is said to be perfect or consecrated for evermore, Heb 7:28. Probably the phrase here is borrowed from the putting of the sacrifice into their hand, to be waved before the Lord, Exo 29:24. But it intimates, [1.] That ministers have their hands full; they have no time to trifle, so great, so copious, so constant is their work. [2.] That they must have…
Open source ↗29:1-37 Moses was required to consecrate (or sanctify) Aaron and his sons to serve the Lord. This emphasis on making the priests holy is found throughout the ceremonies (29:6, 21, 28, 29, 34, 36, 37). They were set apart not merely for service, but to serve a God whose nature is utterly different from that of fallen, sinful humans. The report of how these instructions were carried out is found in Lev 8. 29:1 with no defects: The same word is translated “blameless” and “perfect” in reference to human and divine behavior (e.g., Gen 17:1; Ps 18:30, 32). The sacrifice is representative of God’s own character and the character he seeks in humans.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application קָדַשׁ (qâdash, H6942) — to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally) כָּהַן (kâhan, H3547) — to officiate as a priest; figuratively, to put on regalia לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בָּקָר (bâqâr, H1241) — beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing);… פַּר (par, H6499) — a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof) שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold אַיִל (ʼayil, H352) — properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically a chief (politically); also a… תָּמִים (tâmîym, H8549) — entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth
Open source ↗מַצָּה (matstsâh, H4682) — properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e. not soured or bittered with yeast);… לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) חַלָּה (challâh, H2471) — a cake (as usually punctured) בָּלַל (bâlal, H1101) — to overflow (specifically with oil.); by implication, to mix; to fodder שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness רָקִיק (râqîyq, H7550) — a thin cake מָשַׁח (mâshach, H4886) — to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint חִטָּה (chiṭṭâh, H2406) — wheat, whether the grain or the plant סֹלֶת (çôleth, H5560) — flour (as chipped off) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first סַל (çal, H5536) — properly, a willow twig (as pendulous), i.e. an osier; but only as woven into abasket קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose פַּר (par, H6499) — a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof) שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold אַיִל (ʼayil, H352) — properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically a chief (politically); also a…
Open source ↗אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose פֶּתַח (pethach, H6607) — an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance way אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) מוֹעֵד (môwʻêd, H4150) — properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival;… רָחַץ (râchats, H7364) — to lave (the whole or a part of a thing) מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
Open source ↗לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) בֶּגֶד (beged, H899) — a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage לָבַשׁ (lâbash, H3847) — properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on agarment or clothe (oneself, or… אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses כְּתֹנֶת (kᵉthôneth, H3801) — a shirt מְעִיל (mᵉʻîyl, H4598) — a robe (i.e. upper and outer garment) אֵפוֹד (ʼêphôwd, H646) — a girdle; specifically the ephod or highpriest's shoulder-piece; also generally, an image חֹשֶׁן (chôshen, H2833) — perhaps a pocket (as holding the Urim and Thummim), or rich (as containing gems), used… אָפַד (ʼâphad, H640) — to gird on (the ephod) חֵשֶׁב (chêsheb, H2805) — a belt or strap (as being interlaced)
Open source ↗שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… מִצְנֶפֶת (mitsnepheth, H4701) — a tiara, i.e. official turban (of a king or high priest) רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity נֶזֶר (nezer, H5145) — properly, something set apart, i.e. (abstractly) dedication (of a priet or Nazirite);…
Open source ↗לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) מִשְׁחָה (mishchâh, H4888) — unction (the act); by implication, a consecratory gift שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness יָצַק (yâtsaq, H3332) — properly, to pour out (transitive or intransitive); by implication, to melt or cast as… רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… מָשַׁח (mâshach, H4886) — to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint
Open source ↗קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… לָבַשׁ (lâbash, H3847) — properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on agarment or clothe (oneself, or… כְּתֹנֶת (kᵉthôneth, H3801) — a shirt
Open source ↗חָגַר (châgar, H2296) — to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.) אַבְנֵט (ʼabnêṭ, H73) — a belt אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… חָבַשׁ (châbash, H2280) — to wrap firmly (especially a turban, compress, or saddle); figuratively, to stop, to rule מִגְבָּעָה (migbâʻâh, H4021) — a cap (as hemispherical) כְּהֻנָּה (kᵉhunnâh, H3550) — priesthood עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… חֻקָּה (chuqqâh, H2708) — {an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)} מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
Open source ↗פַּר (par, H6499) — a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof) קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) מוֹעֵד (môwʻêd, H4150) — properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival;… אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… סָמַךְ (çâmak, H5564) — to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of…
Open source ↗שָׁחַט (shâchaṭ, H7819) — to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre) פַּר (par, H6499) — a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God פֶּתַח (pethach, H6607) — an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance way אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) מוֹעֵד (môwʻêd, H4150) — properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival;…
Open source ↗לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… פַּר (par, H6499) — a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) קֶרֶן (qeren, H7161) — a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's… מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar אֶצְבַּע (ʼetsbaʻ, H676) — something to sieze with, i.e. a finger; by analogy, a toe שָׁפַךְ (shâphak, H8210) — to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e. to mound up); also… אֵל (ʼêl, H413) — near, with or among; often in general, to יְסוֹד (yᵉçôwd, H3247) — a foundation (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) חֶלֶב (cheleb, H2459) — fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part כָּסָה (kâçâh, H3680) — properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or… קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial… יֹתֶרֶת (yôthereth, H3508) — the lobe or flap of the liver (as if redundant or outhanging) כָּבֵד (kâbêd, H3516) — the liver (as the heaviest of the viscera) שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold כִּלְיָה (kilyâh, H3629) — a kidney (as an essential organ); figuratively, the mind (as the interior self) קָטַר (qâṭar, H6999) — to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship) מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar
Open source ↗בָּשָׂר (bâsâr, H1320) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the… פַּר (par, H6499) — a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof) עוֹר (ʻôwr, H5785) — skin (as naked); by implication, hide, leather פֶּרֶשׁ (peresh, H6569) — excrement (as eliminated) שָׂרַף (sâraph, H8313) — to be (causatively, set) on fire אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) חוּץ (chûwts, H2351) — properly, separate by awall, i.e. outside, outdoors מַחֲנֶה (machăneh, H4264) — an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or… חַטָּאָה (chaṭṭâʼâh, H2403) — an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Then he must bring to the priest his guilt offering to the LORD: an unblemished ram of proper value from the flock.
If the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, he must bring to the LORD a young bull without blemish as a sin offering for the sin he has committed.
And take some of the blood on the altar and some of the anointing oil and sprinkle it on Aaron and his garments, as well as on his sons and their garments. Then he and his garments will be consecrated, as well as his sons and their garments.
but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.
Your lamb must be an unblemished year-old male, and you may take it from the sheep or the goats.
Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
But did you not drive out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites? And did you not make priests for yourselves as do the peoples of other lands? Now whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams can become a priest of things that are not gods.
For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them, but on the seventh day He rested. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.
This is how Aaron is to enter the Holy Place: with a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering.