23 And Moses H4872 and Aaron H175 went H935 into the tabernacle H168 of the congregation, H4150 and came out, H3318 and blessed H1288 the people: H5971 and the glory H3519 of the LORD H3068 appeared H7200 unto all the people. H5971
And Moses H4872 said, H559 This is the thing H1697 which the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 that ye should do: H6213 and the glory H3519 of the LORD H3068 shall appear H7200 unto you.
And it came to pass, when the congregation H5712 was gathered H6950 against Moses H4872 and against Aaron, H175 that they looked H6437 toward the tabernacle H168 of the congregation: H4150 and, behold, the cloud H6051 covered H3680 it, and the glory H3519 of the LORD H3068 appeared. H7200
And G2532 the people G2992 waited G2258 G4328 for Zacharias, G2197 and G2532 marvelled G2296 that G1722 he G846 tarried so long G5549 in G1722 the temple. G3485 And G1161 when he came out, G1831 he could G1410 not G3756 speak G2980 unto them: G846 and G2532 they perceived G1921 that G3754 he had seen G3708 a vision G3701 in G1722 the temple: G3485 for G2532 he G846 beckoned G2258 G1269 unto them, G846 and G2532 remained G1265 speechless. G2974
For G1063 Christ G5547 is G1525 not G3756 entered G1525 into G1519 the holy places G39 made with hands, G5499 which are the figures G499 of the true; G228 but G235 into G1519 heaven G3772 itself, G846 now G3568 to appear G1718 in the presence G4383 of God G2316 for G5228 us: G2257 Nor G3761 yet that G2443 he should offer G4374 himself G1438 often, G4178 as G5618 the high priest G749 entereth G1525 into G1519 the holy place G39 every G2596 year G1763 with G1722 blood G129 of others; G245 For then G1893 must G1163 he G846 often G4178 have suffered G3958 since G575 the foundation G2602 of the world: G2889 but G1161 now G3568 once G530 in G1909 the end G4930 of the world G165 hath he appeared G5319 to G1519 put away G115 sin G266 by G1223 the sacrifice G2378 of himself. G846 And G2532 as G2596 G3745 it is appointed G606 unto men G444 once G530 to die, G599 but G1161 after G3326 this G5124 the judgment: G2920 So G3779 Christ G5547 was once G530 offered G4374 to G1519 bear G399 the sins G266 of many; G4183 and unto them that look G553 for him G846 shall he appear G3700 G1537 the second time G1208 without G5565 sin G266 unto G1519 salvation. G4991
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Leviticus 9
Commentary on Leviticus 9 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 9
Le 9:1-24. The Priests' Entry into Office.
1-7. Moses called … Take thee a young calf for a sin offering—The directions in these sacred things were still given by Moses, the circumstances being extraordinary. But he was only the medium of communicating the divine will to the newly made priests. The first of their official acts was the sacrifice of another sin offering to atone for the defects of the inauguration services; and yet that sacrifice did not consist of a bullock—the sacrifice appointed for some particular transgression, but of a calf, perhaps not without a significant reference to Aaron's sin in the golden calf [Ex 32:22-24]. Then followed a burnt offering, expressive of their voluntary and entire self-devotement to the divine service. The newly consecrated priests having done this on their own account, they were called to offer a sin offering and burnt offering for the people, ending the ceremonial by a peace offering, which was a sacred feast. This injunction, "to make atonement for himself and for the people" (Septuagint, "for thy family"), at the commencement of his sacred functions, furnishes a striking evidence of the divine origin of the Jewish system of worship. In all false or corrupt forms of religion, the studied policy has been to inspire the people with an idea of the sanctity of the priesthood as in point of purity and favor with the Divinity far above the level of other men. But among the Hebrews the priests were required to offer for the expiation of their own sins as well as the humblest of the people. This imperfection of Aaron's priesthood, however, does not extend to the gospel dispensation: for our great High Priest, who has entered for us into "the true tabernacle," "knew no sin" (Heb 10:10, 11).
8. Aaron … went unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin offering—Whether it had been enjoined the first time, or was unavoidable from the divisions of the priestly labor not being as yet completely arranged, Aaron, assisted by his sons, appears to have slain the victims with his own hands, as well as gone through all the prescribed ritual at the altar.
17-21. meat offering … wave offering—It is observable that there is no notice taken of these in the offerings the priests made for themselves. They could not bear their own sins: and therefore, instead of eating any part of their own sin offering, as they were at liberty to do in the case of the people's offering, they had to carry the whole carcasses "without the camp and burn them with fire" [Ex 29:14; Le 4:12].
22. Aaron lifted up his hand … and blessed them—The pronouncing of a benediction on the people assembled in the court was a necessary part of the high priest's duty, and the formula in which it was to be given is described (Nu 6:23-27).
came down from offering—The altar was elevated above the level of the floor, and the ascent was by a gentle slope (Ex 20:26).
23. Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle—Moses, according to the divine instructions he had received, accompanied Aaron and his sons to initiate them into their sacred duties. Their previous occupations had detained them at the altar, and they now entered in company into the sacred edifice to bear the blood of the offerings within the sanctuary.
the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the people—perhaps in a resplendent effulgence above the tabernacle as a fresh token of the divine acceptance of that newly established seat of His worship.
24. there came a fire out from … the Lord—A flame emanating from that resplendent light that filled the holy place flashed upon the brazen altar and kindled the sacrifices. This miraculous fire—for the descent of which the people had probably been prepared, and which the priests were enjoined never to let go out (Le 6:13)—was a sign, not only of the acceptance of the offerings and of the establishment of Aaron's authority, but of God's actual residence in that chosen dwelling-place. The moment the solemn though welcome spectacle was seen, a simultaneous shout of joy and gratitude burst from the assembled congregation, and in the attitude of profoundest reverence they worshipped "a present Deity."