Worthy.Bible » STRONG » Leviticus » Chapter 8 » Verse 2-36

Leviticus 8:2-36 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

2 Take H3947 Aaron H175 and his sons H1121 with him, and the garments, H899 and the anointing H4888 oil, H8081 and a bullock H6499 for the sin offering, H2403 and two H8147 rams, H352 and a basket H5536 of unleavened bread; H4682

3 And gather H6950 thou all the congregation H5712 together H6950 unto the door H6607 of the tabernacle H168 of the congregation. H4150

4 And Moses H4872 did H6213 as the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 him; and the assembly H5712 was gathered together H6950 unto the door H6607 of the tabernacle H168 of the congregation. H4150

5 And Moses H4872 said H559 unto the congregation, H5712 This is the thing H1697 which the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 to be done. H6213

6 And Moses H4872 brought H7126 Aaron H175 and his sons, H1121 and washed H7364 them with water. H4325

7 And he put H5414 upon him the coat, H3801 and girded H2296 him with the girdle, H73 and clothed H3847 him with the robe, H4598 and put H5414 the ephod H646 upon him, and he girded H2296 him with the curious girdle H2805 of the ephod, H646 and bound H640 it unto him therewith.

8 And he put H7760 the breastplate H2833 upon him: also he put H5414 in the breastplate H2833 the Urim H224 and the Thummim. H8550

9 And he put H7760 the mitre H4701 upon his head; H7218 also upon the mitre, H4701 even upon his forefront, H6440 H4136 did he put H7760 the golden H2091 plate, H6731 the holy H6944 crown; H5145 as the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 Moses. H4872

10 And Moses H4872 took H3947 the anointing H4888 oil, H8081 and anointed H4886 the tabernacle H4908 and all that was therein, and sanctified H6942 them.

11 And he sprinkled H5137 thereof upon the altar H4196 seven H7651 times, H6471 and anointed H4886 the altar H4196 and all his vessels, H3627 both the laver H3595 and his foot, H3653 to sanctify H6942 them.

12 And he poured H3332 of the anointing H4888 oil H8081 upon Aaron's H175 head, H7218 and anointed H4886 him, to sanctify H6942 him.

13 And Moses H4872 brought H7126 Aaron's H175 sons, H1121 and put H3847 coats H3801 upon them, and girded H2296 them with girdles, H73 and put H2280 bonnets H4021 upon them; as the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 Moses. H4872

14 And he brought H5066 the bullock H6499 for the sin offering: H2403 and Aaron H175 and his sons H1121 laid H5564 their hands H3027 upon the head H7218 of the bullock H6499 for the sin offering. H2403

15 And he slew H7819 it; and Moses H4872 took H3947 the blood, H1818 and put H5414 it upon the horns H7161 of the altar H4196 round about H5439 with his finger, H676 and purified H2398 the altar, H4196 and poured H3332 the blood H1818 at the bottom H3247 of the altar, H4196 and sanctified H6942 it, to make reconciliation H3722 upon it.

16 And he took H3947 all the fat H2459 that was upon the inwards, H7130 and the caul H3508 above the liver, H3516 and the two H8147 kidneys, H3629 and their fat, H2459 and Moses H4872 burned H6999 it upon the altar. H4196

17 But the bullock, H6499 and his hide, H5785 his flesh, H1320 and his dung, H6569 he burnt H8313 with fire H784 without H2351 the camp; H4264 as the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 Moses. H4872

18 And he brought H7126 the ram H352 for the burnt offering: H5930 and Aaron H175 and his sons H1121 laid H5564 their hands H3027 upon the head H7218 of the ram. H352

19 And he killed H7819 it; and Moses H4872 sprinkled H2236 the blood H1818 upon the altar H4196 round about. H5439

20 And he cut H5408 the ram H352 into pieces; H5409 and Moses H4872 burnt H6999 the head, H7218 and the pieces, H5409 and the fat. H6309

21 And he washed H7364 the inwards H7130 and the legs H3767 in water; H4325 and Moses H4872 burnt H6999 the whole ram H352 upon the altar: H4196 it was a burnt sacrifice H5930 for a sweet H5207 savour, H7381 and an offering made by fire H801 unto the LORD; H3068 as the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 Moses. H4872

22 And he brought H7126 the other H8145 ram, H352 the ram H352 of consecration: H4394 and Aaron H175 and his sons H1121 laid H5564 their hands H3027 upon the head H7218 of the ram. H352

23 And he slew H7819 it; and Moses H4872 took H3947 of the blood H1818 of it, and put H5414 it upon the tip H8571 of Aaron's H175 right H3233 ear, H241 and upon the thumb H931 of his right H3233 hand, H3027 and upon the great toe H931 of his right H3233 foot. H7272

24 And he brought H7126 Aaron's H175 sons, H1121 and Moses H4872 put H5414 of the blood H1818 upon the tip H8571 of their right H3233 ear, H241 and upon the thumbs H931 of their right H3233 hands, H3027 and upon the great toes H931 of their right H3233 feet: H7272 and Moses H4872 sprinkled H2236 the blood H1818 upon the altar H4196 round about. H5439

25 And he took H3947 the fat, H2459 and the rump, H451 and all the fat H2459 that was upon the inwards, H7130 and the caul H3508 above the liver, H3516 and the two H8147 kidneys, H3629 and their fat, H2459 and the right H3225 shoulder: H7785

26 And out of the basket H5536 of unleavened H4682 bread, H3899 that was before H6440 the LORD, H3068 he took H3947 one H259 unleavened H4682 cake, H2471 and a cake H2471 of oiled H8081 bread, and one H259 wafer, H7550 and put H7760 them on the fat, H2459 and upon the right H3225 shoulder: H7785

27 And he put H5414 all upon Aaron's H175 hands, H3709 and upon his sons' H1121 hands, H3709 and waved H5130 them for a wave offering H8573 before H6440 the LORD. H3068

28 And Moses H4872 took H3947 them from off their hands, H3709 and burnt H6999 them on the altar H4196 upon the burnt offering: H5930 they were consecrations H4394 for a sweet H5207 savour: H7381 it is an offering made by fire H801 unto the LORD. H3068

29 And Moses H4872 took H3947 the breast, H2373 and waved H5130 it for a wave offering H8573 before H6440 the LORD: H3068 for of the ram H352 of consecration H4394 it was Moses' H4872 part; H4490 as the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 Moses. H4872

30 And Moses H4872 took H3947 of the anointing H4888 oil, H8081 and of the blood H1818 which was upon the altar, H4196 and sprinkled H5137 it upon Aaron, H175 and upon his garments, H899 and upon his sons, H1121 and upon his sons' H1121 garments H899 with him; and sanctified H6942 Aaron, H175 and his garments, H899 and his sons, H1121 and his sons' H1121 garments H899 with him.

31 And Moses H4872 said H559 unto Aaron H175 and to his sons, H1121 Boil H1310 the flesh H1320 at the door H6607 of the tabernacle H168 of the congregation: H4150 and there eat H398 it with the bread H3899 that is in the basket H5536 of consecrations, H4394 as I commanded, H6680 saying, H559 Aaron H175 and his sons H1121 shall eat H398 it.

32 And that which remaineth H3498 of the flesh H1320 and of the bread H3899 shall ye burn H8313 with fire. H784

33 And ye shall not go out H3318 of the door H6607 of the tabernacle H168 of the congregation H4150 in seven H7651 days, H3117 until the days H3117 of your consecration H4394 be at an end: H4390 for seven H7651 days H3117 shall he consecrate H4390 H3027 you.

34 As he hath done H6213 this day, H3117 so the LORD H3068 hath commanded H6680 to do, H6213 to make an atonement H3722 for you.

35 Therefore shall ye abide H3427 at the door H6607 of the tabernacle H168 of the congregation H4150 day H3119 and night H3915 seven H7651 days, H3117 and keep H8104 the charge H4931 of the LORD, H3068 that ye die H4191 not: for so I am commanded. H6680

36 So Aaron H175 and his sons H1121 did H6213 all things H1697 which the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 by the hand H3027 of Moses. H4872

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Leviticus 8

Commentary on Leviticus 8 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 8

This chapter gives us an account of the solemn consecration of Aaron and his sons to the priest's office.

  • I. It was done publicly, and the congregation was called together to be witnesses of it (v. 1-4).
  • II. It was done exactly according to God's appointment (v. 5).
    • 1. They were washed and dressed (v. 6-9, 13).
    • 2. The tabernacle and the utensils of it were anointed, and then the priests (v. 10-12).
    • 3. A sin-offering was offered for them (v. 14-17).
    • 4. A burnt-offering (v. 18-21).
    • 5. The ram of consecration (v. 22-30).
    • 6. The continuance of this solemnity for seven days (v. 31, etc.).

Lev 8:1-13

God had given Moses orders to consecrate Aaron and his sons to the priests' office, when he was with him the first time upon mount Sinai, Ex. 28 and 29, where we have also the particular instructions he had how to do it. Now here we have,

  • I. The orders repeated. What was there commanded to be done is here commanded to be done now, v. 2, 3. The tabernacle was newly set up, which, without the priests, would be as a candlestick without a candle; the law concerning sacrifices was newly given, but could not be observed without priests; for, though Aaron and his sons had been nominated to the office, they could not officiate, till they were consecrated, which yet must not be done till the place of their ministration was prepared, and the ordinances were instituted, that they might apply themselves to work as soon as ever they were consecrated, and might know that they were ordained, not only to the honour and profit, but to the business of the priesthood. Aaron and his sons were near relations to Moses, and therefore he would not consecrate them till he had further orders, lest he should seem too forward to bring honour into his family.
  • II. The congregation called together, at the door, that is, in the court of the tabernacle, v. 4. The elders and principal men of the congregation, who represented the body of the people, were summoned to attend; for the court would hold but a few of the many thousands of Israel. It was done thus publicly,
    • 1. Because it was a solemn transaction between God and Israel; the priests were to be ordained for men in things pertaining to God, for the maintaining of a settled correspondence, and the negotiating of all affairs between the people and God; and therefore it was fit that both sides should appear, to own the appointment, at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.
    • 2. The spectators of the solemnity could not but be possessed, by the sight of it, with a great veneration for the priests and their office, which was necessary among a people so wretchedly prone as these were to envy and discontent. It was strange that any of those who were witnesses of what was here done should afterwards say, as some of them did, You take too much upon you, you sons of Levi; but what would they have said if it had been done clandestinely? Note, It is very fit, and of good use, that ministers should be ordained publicly, plebe praesente-in the presence of the common people, according to the usage of the primitive church.
  • III. The commission read, v. 5. Moses, who was God's representative in this solemnity, produced his orders before the congregation: This is the thing which the Lord commanded to be done. Though God had crowned him king in Jeshurun, when he made his face to shine in the sight of all Israel, yet he did not institute or appoint any thing in God's worship but what God himself had commanded. The priesthood he delivered to them was that which he had received from the Lord. Note, All that minister about holy things must have an eye to God's command as their rule and warrant; for it is only in the observance of this that they can expect to be owned and accepted of God. Thus we must be able to say, in all acts of religious worship, This is the thing which the Lord commanded to be done.
  • IV. The ceremony performed according to the divine ritual.
    • 1. Aaron and his sons were washed with water (v. 6), to signify that they ought now to purify themselves from all sinful dispositions and inclinations, and ever after to keep themselves pure. Christ washes those from their sins in his own blood whom he makes to our God kings and priests (Rev. 1:5, 6); and those that draw near to God must be washed in pure water, Heb. 10:22. Though they were ever so clean before and no filth was to be seen upon them, yet they must be washed, to signify their purification from sin, with which their souls were polluted, how clean soever their bodies were.
    • 2. They were clothed with the holy garments, Aaron with his (v. 7-9), which typified the dignity of Christ our great high priest, and his sons with theirs (v. 13), which typified the decency of Christians, who are spiritual priests. Christ wears the breast-plate of judgment and the holy crown; for the church's high priest is her prophet and king. All believers are clothed with the robe of righteousness, and girt with the girdle of truth, resolution, and close application; and their heads are bound, as the word here is, with the bonnet or diadem of beauty, the beauty of holiness.
    • 3. The high priest was anointed, and, it should seem, the holy things were anointed at the same time; some think that they were anointed before, but that the anointing of them is mentioned here because Aaron was anointed with the same oil with which they were anointed; but the manner of relating it here makes it more than probable that it was done at the same time, and that the seven days employed in consecrating the altar were coincident with the seven days of the priests' consecration. The tabernacle, and all its utensils, had some of the anointing oil put upon them with Moses's finger (v. 10), so had the altar (v. 11); these were to sanctify the gold and the gift (Mt. 23:17-19), and therefore must themselves be thus sanctified; but he poured it out more plentifully upon the head of Aaron (v. 12), so that it ran down to the skirts of his garments, because his unction was to typify the anointing of Christ with the Spirit, which was not given by measure to him. Yet all believers also have received the anointing, which puts an indelible character upon them, 1 Jn. 2:27.

Lev 8:14-30

The covenant of priesthood must be made by sacrifice, as well as other covenants, Ps. 50:5. And thus Christ was consecrated by the sacrifice of himself, once for all. Sacrifices of each kind must be offered for the priests, that they might with the more tenderness and concern offer the gifts and sacrifices of the people, with compassion on the ignorant, and on those that were out of the way, not insulting over those for whom sacrifices were offered, remembering that they themselves had had sacrifices offered for them, being compassed with infirmity.

  • 1. A bullock, the largest sacrifice, was offered for a sin-offering (v. 14), that hereby atonement might be made, and they might not bring any of the guilt of the sins of their former state into the new character they were now to put on. When Isaiah was sent to be a prophet, he was told to his comfort, Thy iniquity is taken away, Isa. 6:7. Ministers, that are to declare the remission of sins to others, should give diligence to get it made sure to themselves in the first place that their own sins are pardoned. Those to whom is committed the ministry of reconciliation must first be reconciled to God themselves, that they may deal for the souls of others as for their own.
  • 2. A ram was offered for a burnt-offering, v. 18-21. By this they gave to God the glory of this great honour which was now put upon them, and returned him praise for it, as Paul thanked Christ Jesus for putting him into the ministry, 1 Tim. 1:12. They also signified the devoting of themselves and all their services to the honour of God.
  • 3. Another ram, called the ram of consecration, was offered for a peace-offering, v. 22, etc. The blood of it was part put on the priests, on their ears, thumbs, and toes, and part sprinkled upon the altar; and thus he did (as it were) marry them to the altar, upon which they must all their days give attendance. All the ceremonies about this offering, as those before, were appointed by the express command of God; and, if we compare this chapter with Ex. 29, we shall find that the performance of the solemnity exactly agrees with the precept there, and in nothing varies. Here, therefore, as in the account we had of the tabernacle and its vessels, it is again and again repeated, As the Lord commanded Moses. And thus Christ, when he sanctified himself with his own blood, had an eye to his Father's will in it. As the Father gave me commandment so I do, Jn. 14:31; 10:18; 6:38.

Lev 8:31-36

Moses, having done his part of the ceremony, now leaves Aaron and his sons to do theirs.

  • I. They must boil the flesh of their peace-offering, and eat it in the court of the tabernacle, and what remained they must burn with fire, v. 31, 32. This signified their thankful consent to the consecration: when God gave Ezekiel his commission, he told him to eat the roll, Eze. 3:1, 2.
  • II. They must not stir out of the court of the tabernacle for seven days, v. 33. The priesthood being a good warfare, they must thus learn to endure hardness, and to disentangle themselves from the affairs of this life, 2 Tim. 2:3, 4. Being consecrated to their service, they must give themselves wholly to it, and attend continually to this very thing. Thus Christ's apostles were appointed to wait for the promise of the Father, Acts 1:4. During this time appointed for their consecration, they were daily to repeat the same sacrifices which were offered the first day, v. 34. This shows the imperfection of the legal sacrifices, which, because they could not take away sin, were often repeated (Heb. 10:1, 2), but were here repeated seven times (a number of perfection), because they typified that one offering, which perfected for ever those that were sanctified. The work lasted seven days; for it was a kind of creation: and this time was appointed in honour of the sabbath, which, probably, was the last day of the seven, for which they were to prepare during the six days. Thus the time of our life, like the six days, must be our preparation for the perfection of our consecration to God in the everlasting sabbath: they attended day and night (v. 35), and so constant should we be in our meditation on God's law, Ps. 1:2. They attended to keep the charge of the Lord: we have every one of us a charge to keep, an eternal God to glorify, an immortal soul to provide for, needful duty to be done, our generation to serve; and it must be our daily care to keep this charge, for it is the charge of the Lord our Master, who will shortly call us to an account about it, and it is at our utmost peril if we neglect it. Keep it that you die not; it is death, eternal death, to betray the trust we are charged with; by the consideration of this we must be kept in awe. Lastly, We are told (v. 36) that Aaron and his sons did all that was commanded. Thus their consecration was completed; and thus they set an example before the people of an exact obedience to the laws of sacrifices now newly given, and then they could with the better grace teach them. Thus the covenant of peace (Num. 25:12), of life and peace (Mal. 2:5), was made with Aaron and his sons; but after all the ceremonies that were used in their consecration there was one point of ratification which was reserved to be the honour and establishment of Christ's priesthood, which was this, that they were made priests without an oath, but Christ with an oath (Heb. 7:21), for neither such priests nor their priesthood could continue, but Christ's is a perpetual and unchangeable priesthood.

Gospel ministers are compared to those who served at the altar, for they minister about holy things (1 Co. 9:13), they are God's mouth to the people and the people's to God, the pastors and teachers Christ has appointed to continue in the church to the end of the world: they seem to be meant in that promise which points at gospel times (Isa. 66:21), I will take of them for priests and for Levites. No man may take this honour to himself, but he who upon trial is found to be clothed and anointed by the Spirit of God with gifts and graces to qualify him for it, and who with purpose of heart devotes himself entirely to the service, and is then by the word and prayer (for so every thing is sanctified), and the imposition of the hands of those that give themselves to the word and prayer, set apart to the office, and recommended to Christ as a servant and to the church as a steward and guide. And those that are thus solemnly dedicated to God ought not to depart from his service, but faithfully to abide in it all their days; and those that do so, and continue labouring in the word and doctrine, are to be accounted worthy of double honour, double to that of the Old-Testament priests.