Key Verses: Leviticus 8:12, 8:30, 8:35
The instructions give way to action as Moses carries out the ordination of the priesthood that God commanded in Exodus 29. Before the assembled congregation he washes Aaron and his sons with water, clothes Aaron in the high-priestly garments, and anoints the tabernacle and Aaron with oil. He then offers the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the ram of ordination, putting blood on the priests’ right ear, thumb, and big toe, and sprinkling oil and blood on their garments. Aaron and his sons remain at the entrance of the tent of meeting seven days and nights to complete their consecration, “so that you do not die.”
The ordination shows that no one takes the honor of priesthood for himself; a priest must be washed, clothed, anointed, and atoned for by another. The blood on ear, hand, and foot marks the priest as wholly dedicated — his hearing, his work, and his walk set apart to God. All of this prepares for the true and greater High Priest: “no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was” (Hebrews 5:4). Yet where Aaron needed sacrifices for his own sin, Christ, “holy, innocent, unstained,” needs none, and His priesthood does not pass with death (Hebrews 7:26-28).
Key Terms & Words:
- מִלֻּאִים (millu’im) - Leviticus 8:22 - “Ordination,” literally “fillings,” from the phrase to “fill the hands” for priestly service
- מָשַׁח (mashach) - Leviticus 8:12 - “To anoint”; pouring oil to consecrate for holy office (the root of mashiach, “Messiah”)
- קִדֵּשׁ (qiddesh) - Leviticus 8:30 - “He consecrated,” set apart as holy
Cross-References:
- Exodus 29:1-37 - The command for the ordination now carried out
- Hebrews 5:4-5 - No one takes the priestly honor for himself but is called by God as Aaron was
- Hebrews 7:26-28 - Christ our High Priest, holy and without need of sacrifice for Himself
- 1 Peter 2:9 - The church as “a royal priesthood,” set apart to God
Discussion Questions:
- Why must the priest himself be washed, clothed, and atoned for before he can serve others?
- What does the blood placed on the ear, thumb, and toe signify about consecrated service?
- How does Aaron’s ordination both prepare for and fall short of the priesthood of Christ?