Leviticus 8: Consecration of Aaron and Priests

Short answer: Leviticus 8 records the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests, following Yahweh's commands to Moses. It details the washing, clothing, anointing, sacrifices, and the seven-day period at the Tent of Meeting.

What Leviticus 8 says

The chapter opens with Yahweh instructing Moses to gather Aaron, his sons, the garments, anointing oil, a bull for a sin offering, two rams, and a basket of unleavened bread at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. Moses obeys and assembles the whole congregation. He then washes Aaron and his sons with water, dresses Aaron in the priestly garments including the tunic, sash, robe, ephod, breastplate with Urim and Thummim, and turban with the golden plate. Moses anoints the tabernacle and all its furnishings, sprinkles the altar seven times, and pours oil on Aaron's head to sanctify him. He also clothes Aaron's sons with tunics, sashes, and headbands, all as Yahweh commanded.

Next, Moses brings the bull for the sin offering. Aaron and his sons lay their hands on its head, and Moses kills it. He applies some of the blood to the horns of the altar, pours the rest at its base, and burns the fat, liver cover, and kidneys on the altar. The rest of the bull, including skin, meat, and dung, is burned outside the camp. Then Moses presents the ram for the burnt offering. Aaron and his sons lay hands on it, Moses kills it, sprinkles its blood around the altar, cuts it into pieces, and burns the head, pieces, and fat, after washing the innards and legs. The whole ram is burned as a pleasing aroma to Yahweh.

Moses then brings the second ram, the ram of consecration. Aaron and his sons lay hands on its head, and Moses kills it. He puts some of its blood on the tip of Aaron's right ear, the thumb of his right hand, and the great toe of his right foot. He does the same for Aaron's sons, then sprinkles blood around the altar. Moses takes the fat, fat tail, inner fat, liver cover, kidneys, right thigh, and from the basket of unleavened bread, a cake, oiled bread, and wafer, and places them on the fat and thigh. He puts all these in the hands of Aaron and his sons and waves them as a wave offering before Yahweh. Moses then burns them on the altar as a consecration offering, a pleasing aroma. He takes the breast and waves it as a wave offering, which becomes his portion.

Finally, Moses takes some anointing oil and some blood from the altar and sprinkles it on Aaron, his garments, his sons, and their garments, sanctifying them. He instructs Aaron and his sons to boil the meat at the door of the Tent of Meeting and eat it with the bread from the basket of consecration, as commanded. Any remaining meat and bread must be burned. They are not to leave the Tent of Meeting for seven days until their consecration is complete, because Yahweh will consecrate them for seven days. They must stay day and night for seven days to keep Yahweh's command and not die. Aaron and his sons do all that Yahweh commanded through Moses.

Verses that carry the chapter

• “Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water.” (Leviticus 8:6) — This verse marks the beginning of the consecration ritual with the washing of Aaron and his sons, symbolizing purification before service.
• “He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.” (Leviticus 8:12) — The pouring of anointing oil on Aaron's head sets him apart for the priesthood, a key act of sanctification.
• “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.” (Leviticus 8:23) — The application of blood to Aaron's ear, thumb, and toe signifies the consecration of his hearing, work, and walk to Yahweh.
• “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.”” (Leviticus 8:35) — The command to stay at the Tent of Meeting for seven days underscores the seriousness of consecration and the penalty of disobedience.

Gospel connection

The ordination of Aaron and his sons points forward to the greater priesthood of Jesus Christ. Just as Aaron was washed, clothed, anointed, and sacrificed for, Jesus was perfectly consecrated to fulfill the role of high priest. The blood of the sacrifices that sanctified the priests foreshadows the blood of Christ, which sanctifies believers. The seven days at the Tent of Meeting prefigure the complete and final consecration that Christ accomplished for His people, making access to God possible.

Application

This chapter calls believers to reflect on the seriousness of approaching God. Just as the priests were consecrated with blood and oil, Christians are called to live set apart, recognizing that their service to God requires holiness. It invites us to examine our own lives, to seek purification through Christ, and to dedicate our hearing, actions, and steps to the Lord. The seven-day waiting period reminds us that consecration is not instantaneous but involves patient obedience and dependence on God's commands.

Biblical fidelity check

The chapter does not specify the exact location of the Tent of Meeting beyond its entrance, nor does it describe the congregation's reaction. It does not explain the meaning of the Urim and Thummim or the specific significance of each garment. The text is silent on how the oil and blood were applied in detail, and it does not record any words from Aaron or his sons. It also does not state whether the seven days were completed without incident, only that they did as commanded.

Questions for study

1. Why do you think the washing, clothing, and anointing of Aaron and his sons were necessary before they could serve as priests?
2. What is the significance of placing blood on the ear, thumb, and toe of the priests? How might this apply to our lives today?
3. Why were the priests required to stay at the Tent of Meeting for seven days? What does this teach about the cost of consecration?
4. How does the role of Moses in this chapter compare to the role of Jesus in the New Testament?
5. What does the detailed obedience of Aaron and his sons in verse 36 reveal about their attitude toward God's commands?

Keep reading

Related studies: Leviticus 1 Bible Study, Leviticus 10 Bible Study, Leviticus 11 Bible Study, Leviticus 12 Bible Study.

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FAQ

What is the main purpose of Leviticus 8?

It records the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests, establishing the priesthood and the rituals that set them apart for service to Yahweh.

Why did Moses perform the sacrifices instead of Aaron?

Aaron and his sons were not yet consecrated, so Moses acted as the mediator to initiate them into their priestly role.

What does the seven-day period represent?

It was a time of complete consecration and waiting before Yahweh, during which the priests remained at the Tent of Meeting to fulfill the command and avoid death.