ScriptureDepth's study of Leviticus 8
“Moses said to the congregation, “This is the thing which Yahweh has commanded to be done.”
Leviticus 8:5
Moses speaks to the congregation, declaring Yahweh's command to consecrate the priests, which initiates the ceremonial acts of preparation in this chapter.
What Leviticus 8 is about
Yahweh spoke to Moses about consecrating Aaron and his sons. Moses gathered the congregation at the Tent of Meeting and shared Yahweh's command (vv. 1-5). Then he washed Aaron and dressed him with special garments, including the coat, robe, and breastplate (vv. 6-13). Moses brought forward a bull for a sin offering. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on it. Moses killed the bull and used its blood to purify the altar (vv. 14-21). Next, he brought a ram as a burnt offering, which was also killed and burned on the altar (vv. 22-30). Moses then performed an anointing ritual with blood on Aaron and his sons. They received an offering, which Moses later burned (vv. 22-30). Finally, Moses instructed Aaron and his sons to remain at the Tent for seven days and follow all commands (vv. 31-36). They obeyed Yahweh's commands given through Moses.
Aaron and his sons were to stay for seven days to complete their consecration.
Leviticus 8 at a glance
- Leviticus 8:1–5God's Command to Consecrate Priests
- Leviticus 8:6–13Ritual Washing and Dressing
- Leviticus 8:14–21Sin and Burnt Offerings
- Leviticus 8:22–30Consecration through Blood and Oil
- Leviticus 8:31–36Final Instructions and Obedience
Key verse: Leviticus 8:5
One thing to notice
Moses performs a series of ritual actions on Aaron and his sons, including washing, dressing, and anointing. The commands come from Yahweh and are followed closely by Moses. This pattern appears in vv. 6-13, where Moses acts to 'sanctify them,' and again in the later consecration actions of vv. 30-31.
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Chapter text
Read Leviticus 8 (WEB)
God's Command to Consecrate Priests Leviticus 8:1–5
1Verse 1. Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 2Verse 2. “Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, and the anointing oil, and the bull of the sin offering, and the two rams, and the basket of unleavened bread; 3Verse 3. and assemble all the congregation at the door of the Tent of Meeting.” 4Verse 4. Moses did as Yahweh commanded him; and the congregation was assembled at the door of the Tent of Meeting. 5Verse 5. Moses said to the congregation, “This is the thing which Yahweh has commanded to be done.”
Ritual Washing and Dressing Leviticus 8:6–13
6Verse 6. Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water. 7Verse 7. He put the coat on him, tied the sash on him, clothed him with the robe, put the ephod on him, and he tied the skillfully woven band of the ephod on him, and fastened it to him with it. 8Verse 8. He placed the breastplate on him; and in the breastplate he put the Urim and the Thummim. 9Verse 9. He set the turban on his head; and on the turban, in front, he set the golden plate, the holy crown; as Yahweh commanded Moses. 10Verse 10. Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and sanctified them.
11Verse 11. He sprinkled it on the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all its vessels, and the basin and its base, to sanctify them. 12Verse 12. He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head, and anointed him, to sanctify him. 13Verse 13. Moses brought Aaron’s sons, and clothed them with coats, and tied sashes on them, and put headbands on them; as Yahweh commanded Moses.
Sin and Burnt Offerings Leviticus 8:14–21
14Verse 14. He brought the bull of the sin offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the bull of the sin offering. 15Verse 15. He killed it; and Moses took the blood, and put it around on the horns of the altar with his finger, and purified the altar, and poured out the blood at the base of the altar, and sanctified it, to make atonement for it. 16Verse 16. He took all the fat that was on the innards, and the cover of the liver, and the two kidneys, and their fat; and Moses burned it on the altar.
17Verse 17. But the bull, and its skin, and its meat, and its dung, he burned with fire outside the camp; as Yahweh commanded Moses. 18Verse 18. He presented the ram of the burnt offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram. 19Verse 19. He killed it; and Moses sprinkled the blood around on the altar. 20Verse 20. He cut the ram into its pieces; and Moses burned the head, and the pieces, and the fat. 21Verse 21. He washed the innards and the legs with water; and Moses burned the whole ram on the altar. It was a burnt offering for a pleasant aroma. It was an offering made by fire to Yahweh; as Yahweh commanded Moses.
Consecration through Blood and Oil Leviticus 8:22–30
22Verse 22. He presented the other ram, the ram of consecration: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram. 23Verse 23. He killed it; and Moses took some of its blood, and put it on the tip of Aaron’s right ear, and on the thumb of his right hand, and on the great toe of his right foot. 24Verse 24. He brought Aaron’s sons; and Moses put some of the blood on the tip of their right ear, and on the thumb of their right hand, and on the great toe of their right foot; and Moses sprinkled the blood around on the altar.
25Verse 25. He took the fat, and the fat tail, and all the fat that was on the innards, and the cover of the liver, and the two kidneys, and their fat, and the right thigh; 26Verse 26. and out of the basket of unleavened bread, that was before Yahweh, he took one unleavened cake, and one cake of oiled bread, and one wafer, and placed them on the fat, and on the right thigh. 27Verse 27. He put all these in Aaron’s hands and in his sons’ hands, and waved them for a wave offering before Yahweh. 28Verse 28. Moses took them from their hands, and burned them on the altar on the burnt offering. They were a consecration for a pleasant aroma. It was an offering made by fire to Yahweh.
29Verse 29. Moses took the breast, and waved it for a wave offering before Yahweh. It was Moses’ portion of the ram of consecration, as Yahweh commanded Moses. 30Verse 30. Moses took some of the anointing oil, and some of the blood which was on the altar, and sprinkled it on Aaron, on his garments, and on his sons, and on his sons’ garments with him, and sanctified Aaron, his garments, and his sons, and his sons’ garments with him.
Final Instructions and Obedience Leviticus 8:31–36
31Verse 31. Moses said to Aaron and to his sons, “Boil the meat at the door of the Tent of Meeting, and there eat it and the bread that is in the basket of consecration, as I commanded, saying, ‘Aaron and his sons shall eat it.’ 32Verse 32. What remains of the meat and of the bread you shall burn with fire. 33Verse 33. You shall not go out from the door of the Tent of Meeting for seven days, until the days of your consecration are fulfilled: for he shall consecrate you seven days. 34Verse 34. What has been done today, so Yahweh has commanded to do, to make atonement for you.
35Verse 35. You shall stay at the door of the Tent of Meeting day and night seven days, and keep Yahweh’s command, that you don’t die: for so I am commanded.” 36Verse 36. Aaron and his sons did all the things which Yahweh commanded by Moses.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Leviticus 8
Consecration and Holiness
Moses carries out the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests, following God's specific instructions. In verses 10-12, Moses anoints the tabernacle and the altar with oil, setting them apart for service. The act of anointing Aaron in verse 12 signifies his dedication to God, marking him and his garments for holiness. This preparation is vital for establishing the role of the priesthood.
Obedience to God's Commands
Moses acts according to Yahweh’s commands throughout Leviticus 8, underscoring the necessity of obedience in the consecration process. For example, in verse 6, Moses washes Aaron and his sons in water as commanded. In verse 36, it is noted that 'Aaron and his sons did all the things which Yahweh commanded by Moses,' demonstrating their compliance with God's directives regarding the consecration ritual.
Divine Empowerment for Ministry
Aaron and his sons receive empowerment for their priestly ministry through rituals commanded by God. In verses 22-24, blood is placed on the ear, thumb, and toe of Aaron and his sons, indicating their readiness for service. This empowerment is confirmed in verse 30 with the anointing oil, which sanctifies them and enables them to fulfill their priestly duties.
Foreshadowing of Christ as High Priest
Leviticus 8 includes elements that point toward the future role of Christ as the High Priest. In verses 14-15, the sin offering is presented, highlighting the need for atonement, a theme that is fulfilled in Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. The anointing in verse 12 and the setting apart of Aaron serve as a precursor to the priestly role that Jesus embodies, establishing a connection with the New Testament understanding of priesthood.
Chapter outline
How Leviticus 8 unfolds
Leviticus 8:1–5 God's Command to Consecrate Priests
Yahweh commands Moses to gather Aaron, his sons, and offerings at the Tent of Meeting (vv. 1-3). Moses relays these instructions to the congregation, stating it is a divine command (vv. 4-5).
Leviticus 8:6–13 Ritual Washing and Dressing
Moses brought Aaron and his sons, washed them with water, dressed Aaron in priestly garments, anointed the tabernacle and its vessels, and sanctified them, as Yahweh commanded Moses (vv. 6-13).
Leviticus 8:14–21 Sin and Burnt Offerings
Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the bull's head, Moses killed it, and used its blood to purify the altar, then performed the burnt offering of the ram, as Yahweh commanded Moses (vv. 14-21).
Leviticus 8:22–30 Consecration through Blood and Oil
Moses presented the ram of consecration, applied blood to Aaron and his sons, performed wave offerings, and sprinkled anointing oil and blood on them and their garments, as Yahweh commanded Moses (vv. 22-30).
Leviticus 8:31–36 Final Instructions and Obedience
Final instructions include specific dietary practices and a seven-day waiting period for Aaron and his sons (vv. 31-36). Moses emphasizes adherence to these commands to ensure their consecration is complete, and they obey all directives given.
Key verses
Leviticus 8:5Moses speaks to the congregation, declaring Yahweh's command to consecrate the priests, which initiates the ceremonial acts of preparation in this chapter.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Leviticus 8
- observeIn v6, what act does Moses perform with Aaron and his sons?
- observeIn vv. 22-23, what is placed on Aaron during the ram of consecration sacrifice?
- interpretThe blood on Aaron’s ear, hand, and foot in vv. 23-24: what might this symbolize about his priestly role?
- interpretMoses' command to eat the consecration meat in v31: why is this act significant for Aaron and his sons?
- applyIn v33, the command to stay 'seven days': what does this duration signify for Aaron and his sons?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Leviticus 8
- Exodus 29Leviticus 8:9 and Exodus 29:6Both set the turban on his head: Leviticus 8:9 He set the turban on his head..., while Exodus 29:6 and you shall set the turban on his head... .
- Exodus 28Leviticus 8:30 and Exodus 28:2Both make holy garments for Aaron: Leviticus 8:30 sprinkled it on Aaron..., while Exodus 28:2 You shall make holy garments for Aaron...
- Leviticus 4Leviticus 8:15 and Leviticus 4:7Both put blood on the altar: Leviticus 8:15 put it around on the horns..., while Leviticus 4:7 The priest shall put some of the blood... .
- Exodus 39Leviticus 8:7 and Exodus 39:2Both made the ephod of fine materials: Leviticus 8:7 clothed him with the robe..., while Exodus 39:2 made the ephod of gold, blue, purple... .
- Leviticus 16Leviticus 8:6 and Leviticus 16:4Both washed the priests with water: Leviticus 8:6 washed them with water..., while Leviticus 16:4 shall bathe his body in water... .
- Ezekiel 43Leviticus 8:14 and Ezekiel 43:19Both offer a young bull for a sin offering: Leviticus 8:14 laid their hands on the head..., while Ezekiel 43:19 give to the priests a young bull... .
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