Leviticus 8: Consecration and Ordination of the Priests
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, and the anointing oil, and a bullock for the sin offering, and two rams, and a basket of unleavened bread;
And gather thou all the congregation together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
And Moses did as the Lord commanded him; and the assembly was gathered together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
And Moses said unto the congregation, This is the thing which the Lord commanded to be done.
And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water.
And he put upon him the coat, and girded him with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound it unto him therewith.
And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim.
And he put the mitre upon his head; also upon the mitre, even upon his forefront, did he put the golden plate, the holy crown; as the Lord commanded Moses.
And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them.
And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all his vessels, both the laver and his foot, to sanctify them.
And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron’s head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.
And Moses brought Aaron’s sons, and put coats upon them, and girded them with girdles, and put bonnets upon them; as the Lord commanded Moses.
And he brought the bullock for the sin offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the bullock for the sin offering.
And he slew it; and Moses took the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about with his finger, and purified the altar, and poured the blood at the bottom of the altar, and sanctified it, to make reconciliation upon it.
And he took all the fat that was upon the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and their fat, and Moses burned it upon the altar.
But the bullock, and his hide, his flesh, and his dung, he burnt with fire without the camp; as the Lord commanded Moses.
And he brought the ram for the burnt offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram.
And he killed it; and Moses sprinkled the blood upon the altar round about.
And he cut the ram into pieces; and Moses burnt the head, and the pieces, and the fat.
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.
And he brought the other ram, the ram of consecration: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram.
And he slew it; and Moses took of the blood of it, and put it upon the tip of Aaron’s right ear, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot.
And he brought Aaron’s sons, and Moses put of the blood upon the tip of their right ear, and upon the thumbs of their right hands, and upon the great toes of their right feet: and Moses sprinkled the blood upon the altar round about.
And he took the fat, and the rump, and all the fat that was upon the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and their fat, and the right shoulder:
And out of the basket of unleavened bread, that was before the Lord, he took one unleavened cake, and a cake of oiled bread, and one wafer, and put them on the fat, and upon the right shoulder:
And he put all upon Aaron’s hands, and upon his sons’ hands, and waved them for a wave offering before the Lord.
And Moses took them from off their hands, and burnt them on the altar upon the burnt offering: they were consecrations for a sweet savour: it is an offering made by fire unto the Lord.
And Moses took the breast, and waved it for a wave offering before the Lord: for of the ram of consecration it was Moses’ part; as the Lord commanded Moses.
And Moses took of the anointing oil, and of the blood which was upon the altar, and sprinkled it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon his sons’ garments with him; and sanctified Aaron, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons’ garments with him.
And Moses said unto Aaron and to his sons, Boil the flesh at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and there eat it with the bread that is in the basket of consecrations, as I commanded, saying, Aaron and his sons shall eat it.
And that which remaineth of the flesh and of the bread shall ye burn with fire.
And ye shall not go out of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation in seven days, until the days of your consecration be at an end: for seven days shall he consecrate you.
As he hath done this day, so the Lord hath commanded to do, to make an atonement for you.
Therefore shall ye abide at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation day and night seven days, and keep the charge of the Lord, that ye die not: for so I am commanded.
So Aaron and his sons did all things which the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses.
Leviticus 8 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history. With the sacrificial system now meticulously detailed and established, the focus shifts to the individuals who would mediate between God and the people: the priests. This chapter meticulously describes the consecration and ordination of Aaron and his sons, chosen by God to administer these sacred offerings. The emphasis on divine instruction, the symbolic actions, and the repeated stress on obedience highlight the profound significance of this event.
Divine Mandate and Public Ceremony (Leviticus 8:1-5)
The chapter opens with the powerful declaration, "The LORD spoke to Moses" (Leviticus 8:1). This statement underscores that every detail of the priests' consecration was divinely ordained. God instructed Moses to gather Aaron and his sons, along with all the necessary components for the ceremony, and to assemble the entire community at the entrance of the tent of meeting (Leviticus 8:2-3). This was not a private affair, but a public demonstration of God's chosen leaders and their sacred role. Moses' obedience and his clear communication to the community that this was "what the LORD has commanded" (Leviticus 8:4-5) further emphasize the importance of adhering to God's precise instructions.
Cleansing and Clothing: Symbolism of Purity and Representation (Leviticus 8:6-9)
The ordination service began with a ceremonial washing of Aaron and his sons (Leviticus 8:6). This act symbolized the inherent uncleanness of humanity and the need for purification before ministering before a holy God. As sinful humans, they needed to be cleansed before they could approach the divine presence. Following the washing, Moses clothed Aaron in the garments of the high priest, including the tunic and the breastpiece adorned with twelve precious stones representing the twelve tribes of Israel (Leviticus 8:7-8). This elaborate attire symbolized Aaron's role as the representative of the people, carrying them close to his heart as he ministered before the Lord.
The Urim and Thummim were then placed in a pouch on the breastpiece (Leviticus 8:8). While the exact nature and function of these objects remain somewhat mysterious, they were undoubtedly used to discern God's will in specific circumstances. Although Scripture doesn't explicitly detail their purpose or usage, we can assume that these stones were critical to the priest's ability to properly discern God's will. Aaron's turban, featuring a gold medallion (Leviticus 8:9), completed the symbolic dressing, signifying his elevated and divinely appointed position.
Anointing and Consecration (Leviticus 8:10-13)
Moses then took the anointing oil and consecrated the tabernacle and its contents (Leviticus 8:10-11), setting them apart for holy use. Following this, Aaron himself was anointed (Leviticus 8:12). This was not a mere symbolic dab; the oil was poured liberally, flowing down his head and beard, signifying a thorough and complete consecration. As Psalm 133:2 describes, it was a fragrant and abundant anointing. Finally, Moses dressed Aaron's sons in their priestly garments, signifying their inclusion in this sacred ministry (Leviticus 8:13).
Blood Atonement: Purification from Sin (Leviticus 8:14-21)
While the anointing oil was significant, it was not sufficient on its own. Blood, the symbol of atonement, was required to cleanse from sin. The ordination process included a sin offering (Leviticus 8:14-17) to purify Aaron, his sons, and even the altar from the contamination of sin. Moses applied the blood to the altar, following the instructions previously given (Leviticus 4:1-35), with the notable difference that the blood was applied to the altar of burnt offering instead of the altar of incense. Following the sin offering, a burnt offering was presented (Leviticus 8:18-21). This sacrifice was completely consumed on the altar, a "pleasing aroma, a fire offering to the LORD" (Leviticus 8:21), symbolizing the offerer's complete dedication to God.
The Ordination Offering: Consecration of Actions (Leviticus 8:22-24)
The third offering, the ordination offering, completed the purification necessary for Aaron and his sons to serve as priests (Leviticus 8:22). This offering included a unique element: the application of blood to the right earlobe, right thumb, and right big toe of both Aaron and his sons (Leviticus 8:23-24). These specific body parts likely symbolized the consecration of hearing, doing, and walking – all aspects of life that needed to be dedicated to the Lord's service. It was a symbolic representation of their entire beings being set apart for God's purpose.
Presentation and Sprinkling: Complete Consecration (Leviticus 8:25-30)
Moses placed portions of the ordination offering into the hands of Aaron and his sons, who then presented it before the Lord as a wave offering (Leviticus 8:27). These portions were then burned, according to God's command. The final act of consecration involved Moses sprinkling Aaron and his sons with both the anointing oil and the blood (Leviticus 8:30), signifying a complete and comprehensive setting apart for their sacred role.
The Ordination Meal and Seven-Day Confinement (Leviticus 8:31-36)
Following the sacrifices, the priests were required to eat an ordination meal at the entrance to the tent of meeting (Leviticus 8:31). This meal consisted of portions of the ordination ram and the consecrated bread that had not been burned. The priests also had to observe a seven-day confinement period, remaining near the tabernacle and facing a penalty of death if they left (Leviticus 8:33-35). During this week, they apparently offered and ate the same sacrifice each day, culminating in their full ordination to serve the Lord. This week-long period of consecration and sacrifice underscored the seriousness and commitment required for priestly service.
Leviticus 8 provides a detailed picture of the consecration and ordination of the priests. It highlights the importance of divine instruction, the symbolism of cleansing and clothing, and the necessity of atonement through blood. The chapter emphasizes that those who minister before God must be set apart, purified, and wholly dedicated to His service. This passage not only provides historical context but also offers timeless principles for those who seek to serve God in any capacity.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, and the anointing oil, and a bullock for the sin offering, and two rams, and a basket of unleavened bread;
And gather thou all the congregation together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
And Moses did as the Lord commanded him; and the assembly was gathered together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
And Moses said unto the congregation, This is the thing which the Lord commanded to be done.
And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water.
And he put upon him the coat, and girded him with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound it unto him therewith.
And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim.
And he put the mitre upon his head; also upon the mitre, even upon his forefront, did he put the golden plate, the holy crown; as the Lord commanded Moses.
And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them.
And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all his vessels, both the laver and his foot, to sanctify them.
And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron’s head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.
And Moses brought Aaron’s sons, and put coats upon them, and girded them with girdles, and put bonnets upon them; as the Lord commanded Moses.
And he brought the bullock for the sin offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the bullock for the sin offering.
And he slew it; and Moses took the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about with his finger, and purified the altar, and poured the blood at the bottom of the altar, and sanctified it, to make reconciliation upon it.
And he took all the fat that was upon the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and their fat, and Moses burned it upon the altar.
But the bullock, and his hide, his flesh, and his dung, he burnt with fire without the camp; as the Lord commanded Moses.
And he brought the ram for the burnt offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram.
And he killed it; and Moses sprinkled the blood upon the altar round about.
And he cut the ram into pieces; and Moses burnt the head, and the pieces, and the fat.
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.
And he brought the other ram, the ram of consecration: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram.
And he slew it; and Moses took of the blood of it, and put it upon the tip of Aaron’s right ear, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot.
And he brought Aaron’s sons, and Moses put of the blood upon the tip of their right ear, and upon the thumbs of their right hands, and upon the great toes of their right feet: and Moses sprinkled the blood upon the altar round about.
And he took the fat, and the rump, and all the fat that was upon the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and their fat, and the right shoulder:
And out of the basket of unleavened bread, that was before the Lord, he took one unleavened cake, and a cake of oiled bread, and one wafer, and put them on the fat, and upon the right shoulder:
And he put all upon Aaron’s hands, and upon his sons’ hands, and waved them for a wave offering before the Lord.
And Moses took them from off their hands, and burnt them on the altar upon the burnt offering: they were consecrations for a sweet savour: it is an offering made by fire unto the Lord.
And Moses took the breast, and waved it for a wave offering before the Lord: for of the ram of consecration it was Moses’ part; as the Lord commanded Moses.
And Moses took of the anointing oil, and of the blood which was upon the altar, and sprinkled it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon his sons’ garments with him; and sanctified Aaron, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons’ garments with him.
And Moses said unto Aaron and to his sons, Boil the flesh at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and there eat it with the bread that is in the basket of consecrations, as I commanded, saying, Aaron and his sons shall eat it.
And that which remaineth of the flesh and of the bread shall ye burn with fire.
And ye shall not go out of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation in seven days, until the days of your consecration be at an end: for seven days shall he consecrate you.
As he hath done this day, so the Lord hath commanded to do, to make an atonement for you.
Therefore shall ye abide at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation day and night seven days, and keep the charge of the Lord, that ye die not: for so I am commanded.
So Aaron and his sons did all things which the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses.
Leviticus 8 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history. With the sacrificial system now meticulously detailed and established, the focus shifts to the individuals who would mediate between God and the people: the priests. This chapter meticulously describes the consecration and ordination of Aaron and his sons, chosen by God to administer these sacred offerings. The emphasis on divine instruction, the symbolic actions, and the repeated stress on obedience highlight the profound significance of this event.
Divine Mandate and Public Ceremony (Leviticus 8:1-5)
The chapter opens with the powerful declaration, "The LORD spoke to Moses" (Leviticus 8:1). This statement underscores that every detail of the priests' consecration was divinely ordained. God instructed Moses to gather Aaron and his sons, along with all the necessary components for the ceremony, and to assemble the entire community at the entrance of the tent of meeting (Leviticus 8:2-3). This was not a private affair, but a public demonstration of God's chosen leaders and their sacred role. Moses' obedience and his clear communication to the community that this was "what the LORD has commanded" (Leviticus 8:4-5) further emphasize the importance of adhering to God's precise instructions.
Cleansing and Clothing: Symbolism of Purity and Representation (Leviticus 8:6-9)
The ordination service began with a ceremonial washing of Aaron and his sons (Leviticus 8:6). This act symbolized the inherent uncleanness of humanity and the need for purification before ministering before a holy God. As sinful humans, they needed to be cleansed before they could approach the divine presence. Following the washing, Moses clothed Aaron in the garments of the high priest, including the tunic and the breastpiece adorned with twelve precious stones representing the twelve tribes of Israel (Leviticus 8:7-8). This elaborate attire symbolized Aaron's role as the representative of the people, carrying them close to his heart as he ministered before the Lord.
The Urim and Thummim were then placed in a pouch on the breastpiece (Leviticus 8:8). While the exact nature and function of these objects remain somewhat mysterious, they were undoubtedly used to discern God's will in specific circumstances. Although Scripture doesn't explicitly detail their purpose or usage, we can assume that these stones were critical to the priest's ability to properly discern God's will. Aaron's turban, featuring a gold medallion (Leviticus 8:9), completed the symbolic dressing, signifying his elevated and divinely appointed position.
Anointing and Consecration (Leviticus 8:10-13)
Moses then took the anointing oil and consecrated the tabernacle and its contents (Leviticus 8:10-11), setting them apart for holy use. Following this, Aaron himself was anointed (Leviticus 8:12). This was not a mere symbolic dab; the oil was poured liberally, flowing down his head and beard, signifying a thorough and complete consecration. As Psalm 133:2 describes, it was a fragrant and abundant anointing. Finally, Moses dressed Aaron's sons in their priestly garments, signifying their inclusion in this sacred ministry (Leviticus 8:13).
Blood Atonement: Purification from Sin (Leviticus 8:14-21)
While the anointing oil was significant, it was not sufficient on its own. Blood, the symbol of atonement, was required to cleanse from sin. The ordination process included a sin offering (Leviticus 8:14-17) to purify Aaron, his sons, and even the altar from the contamination of sin. Moses applied the blood to the altar, following the instructions previously given (Leviticus 4:1-35), with the notable difference that the blood was applied to the altar of burnt offering instead of the altar of incense. Following the sin offering, a burnt offering was presented (Leviticus 8:18-21). This sacrifice was completely consumed on the altar, a "pleasing aroma, a fire offering to the LORD" (Leviticus 8:21), symbolizing the offerer's complete dedication to God.
The Ordination Offering: Consecration of Actions (Leviticus 8:22-24)
The third offering, the ordination offering, completed the purification necessary for Aaron and his sons to serve as priests (Leviticus 8:22). This offering included a unique element: the application of blood to the right earlobe, right thumb, and right big toe of both Aaron and his sons (Leviticus 8:23-24). These specific body parts likely symbolized the consecration of hearing, doing, and walking – all aspects of life that needed to be dedicated to the Lord's service. It was a symbolic representation of their entire beings being set apart for God's purpose.
Presentation and Sprinkling: Complete Consecration (Leviticus 8:25-30)
Moses placed portions of the ordination offering into the hands of Aaron and his sons, who then presented it before the Lord as a wave offering (Leviticus 8:27). These portions were then burned, according to God's command. The final act of consecration involved Moses sprinkling Aaron and his sons with both the anointing oil and the blood (Leviticus 8:30), signifying a complete and comprehensive setting apart for their sacred role.
The Ordination Meal and Seven-Day Confinement (Leviticus 8:31-36)
Following the sacrifices, the priests were required to eat an ordination meal at the entrance to the tent of meeting (Leviticus 8:31). This meal consisted of portions of the ordination ram and the consecrated bread that had not been burned. The priests also had to observe a seven-day confinement period, remaining near the tabernacle and facing a penalty of death if they left (Leviticus 8:33-35). During this week, they apparently offered and ate the same sacrifice each day, culminating in their full ordination to serve the Lord. This week-long period of consecration and sacrifice underscored the seriousness and commitment required for priestly service.
Leviticus 8 provides a detailed picture of the consecration and ordination of the priests. It highlights the importance of divine instruction, the symbolism of cleansing and clothing, and the necessity of atonement through blood. The chapter emphasizes that those who minister before God must be set apart, purified, and wholly dedicated to His service. This passage not only provides historical context but also offers timeless principles for those who seek to serve God in any capacity.