Exodus Chapter 29

Consecration of the Priests

(Leviticus 8:1-13)

1And this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them, to minister unto me in the priest's office: Take one young bullock, and two rams without blemish, 2And unleavened bread, and cakes unleavened tempered with oil, and wafers unleavened anointed with oil: of wheaten flour shalt thou make them. 3And thou shalt put them into one basket, and bring them in the basket, with the bullock and the two rams. 4And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water. 5And thou shalt take the garments, and put upon Aaron the coat, and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breastplate, and gird him with the curious girdle of the ephod: 6And thou shalt put the mitre upon his head, and put the holy crown upon the mitre. 7Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head, and anoint him. 8And thou shalt bring his sons, and put coats upon them. 9And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: and the priest's office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.

Order of the Sacrifices

(Leviticus 8:22-36)

10And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the bullock. 11And thou shalt kill the bullock before the LORD, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 12And thou shalt take of the blood of the bullock, and put it upon the horns of the altar with thy finger, and pour all the blood beside the bottom of the altar. 13And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul that is above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and burn them upon the altar. 14But the flesh of the bullock, and his skin, and his dung, shalt thou burn with fire without the camp: it is a sin offering.

15Thou shalt also take one ram; and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram. 16And thou shalt slay the ram, and thou shalt take his blood, and sprinkle it round about upon the altar. 17And thou shalt cut the ram in pieces, and wash the inwards of him, and his legs, and put them unto his pieces, and unto his head. 18And thou shalt burn the whole ram upon the altar: it is a burnt offering unto the LORD: it is a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

19And thou shalt take the other ram; and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram. 20Then shalt thou kill the ram, and take of his blood, and put it upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and upon the tip of the right ear of his sons, and upon the thumb of their right hand, and upon the great toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about. 21And thou shalt take of the blood that is upon the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be hallowed, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him.

22Also thou shalt take of the ram the fat and the rump, and the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and the right shoulder; for it is a ram of consecration: 23And one loaf of bread, and one cake of oiled bread, and one wafer out of the basket of the unleavened bread that is before the LORD: 24And thou shalt put all in the hands of Aaron, and in the hands of his sons; and shalt wave them for a wave offering before the LORD. 25And thou shalt receive them of their hands, and burn them upon the altar for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour before the LORD: it is an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

26And thou shalt take the breast of the ram of Aaron's consecration, and wave it for a wave offering before the LORD: and it shall be thy part. 27And thou shalt sanctify the breast of the wave offering, and the shoulder of the heave offering, which is waved, and which is heaved up, of the ram of the consecration, even of that which is for Aaron, and of that which is for his sons: 28And it shall be Aaron's and his sons' by a statute for ever from the children of Israel: for it is an heave offering: and it shall be an heave offering from the children of Israel of the sacrifice of their peace offerings, even their heave offering unto the LORD.

29And the holy garments of Aaron shall be his sons' after him, to be anointed therein, and to be consecrated in them. 30And that son that is priest in his stead shall put them on seven days, when he cometh into the tabernacle of the congregation to minister in the holy place.

Food for the Priests

31And thou shalt take the ram of the consecration, and seethe his flesh in the holy place. 32And Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram, and the bread that is in the basket, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 33And they shall eat those things wherewith the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them: but a stranger shall not eat thereof, because they are holy. 34And if ought of the flesh of the consecrations, or of the bread, remain unto the morning, then thou shalt burn the remainder with fire: it shall not be eaten, because it is holy.

35And thus shalt thou do unto Aaron, and to his sons, according to all things which I have commanded thee: seven days shalt thou consecrate them. 36And thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement: and thou shalt cleanse the altar, when thou hast made an atonement for it, and thou shalt anoint it, to sanctify it. 37Seven days thou shalt make an atonement for the altar, and sanctify it; and it shall be an altar most holy: whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy.

The Daily Offerings

(Numbers 28:1-8)

38Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually. 39The one lamb thou shalt offer in the morning; and the other lamb thou shalt offer at even: 40And with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil; and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering. 41And the other lamb thou shalt offer at even, and shalt do thereto according to the meat offering of the morning, and according to the drink offering thereof, for a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD. 42This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee. 43And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory. 44And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest's office.

God will Dwell Among the People

(2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

45And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God. 46And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Consecration of the Priests
(Leviticus 8:1–13)

1 “This is the thing that you shall do to them to make them holy, to minister to me in the priest’s office: take one young bull and two rams without blemish, 2 unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil: you shall make them of fine wheat flour. 3 You shall put them into one basket, and bring them in the basket, with the bull and the two rams. 4 You shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the Tent of Meeting, and shall wash them with water. 5 You shall take the garments, and put on Aaron the coat, the robe of the ephod, the ephod, and the breastplate, and clothe him with the skillfully woven band of the ephod; 6 and you shall set the turban on his head, and put the holy crown on the turban. 7 Then you shall take the anointing oil, and pour it on his head, and anoint him. 8 You shall bring his sons, and put coats on them. 9 You shall clothe them with belts, Aaron and his sons, and bind headbands on them: and they shall have the priesthood by a perpetual statute: and you shall consecrate Aaron and his sons.

The Order of the Sacrifices
(Leviticus 8:22–36)

10 “You shall bring the bull before the Tent of Meeting: and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the bull. 11 You shall kill the bull before Yahweh, at the door of the Tent of Meeting. 12 You shall take of the blood of the bull, and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger; and you shall pour out all the blood at the base of the altar. 13 You shall take all the fat that covers the innards, the cover of the liver, the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, and burn them on the altar. 14 But the flesh of the bull, and its skin, and its dung, you shall burn with fire outside of the camp: it is a sin offering.

15 “You shall also take the one ram; and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the ram. 16 You shall kill the ram, and you shall take its blood, and sprinkle it around on the altar. 17 You shall cut the ram into its pieces, and wash its innards, and its legs, and put them with its pieces, and with its head. 18 You shall burn the whole ram on the altar: it is a burnt offering to Yahweh; it is a pleasant aroma, an offering made by fire to Yahweh.

19 “You shall take the other ram; and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the ram. 20 Then you shall kill the ram, and take some of its blood, and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and on the tip of the right ear of his sons, and on the thumb of their right hand, and on the big toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood around on the altar. 21 You shall take of the blood that is on the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron, and on his garments, and on his sons, and on the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be made holy, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons’ garments with him.

22 Also you shall take some of the ram’s fat, the fat tail, the fat that covers the innards, the cover of the liver, the two kidneys, the fat that is on them, and the right thigh (for it is a ram of consecration), 23 and one loaf of bread, one cake of oiled bread, and one wafer out of the basket of unleavened bread that is before Yahweh. 24 You shall put all of this in Aaron’s hands, and in his sons’ hands, and shall wave them for a wave offering before Yahweh. 25 You shall take them from their hands, and burn them on the altar on the burnt offering, for a pleasant aroma before Yahweh: it is an offering made by fire to Yahweh.

26 “You shall take the breast of Aaron’s ram of consecration, and wave it for a wave offering before Yahweh: and it shall be your portion. 27 You shall sanctify the breast of the wave offering, and the thigh of the wave offering, which is waved, and which is heaved up, of the ram of consecration, even of that which is for Aaron, and of that which is for his sons: 28 and it shall be for Aaron and his sons as their portion forever from the children of Israel; for it is a wave offering: and it shall be a wave offering from the children of Israel of the sacrifices of their peace offerings, even their wave offering to Yahweh.

29 “The holy garments of Aaron shall be for his sons after him, to be anointed in them, and to be consecrated in them. 30 Seven days shall the son who is priest in his place put them on, when he comes into the Tent of Meeting to minister in the holy place.

Food for the Priests

31 “You shall take the ram of consecration, and boil its flesh in a holy place. 32 Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram, and the bread that is in the basket, at the door of the Tent of Meeting. 33 They shall eat those things with which atonement was made, to consecrate and sanctify them: but a stranger shall not eat of it, because they are holy. 34 If anything of the flesh of the consecration, or of the bread, remains to the morning, then you shall burn the remainder with fire: it shall not be eaten, because it is holy.

35 “You shall do so to Aaron, and to his sons, according to all that I have commanded you. You shall consecrate them seven days. 36 Every day you shall offer the bull of sin offering for atonement: and you shall cleanse the altar, when you make atonement for it; and you shall anoint it, to sanctify it. 37 Seven days you shall make atonement for the altar, and sanctify it: and the altar shall be most holy; whatever touches the altar shall be holy.

The Daily Offerings
(Numbers 28:1–8)

38 “Now this is that which you shall offer on the altar: two lambs a year old day by day continually. 39 The one lamb you shall offer in the morning; and the other lamb you shall offer at evening: 40 and with the one lamb a tenth part of an ephah of fine flour mixed with the fourth part of a hin of beaten oil, and the fourth part of a hin of wine for a drink offering. 41 The other lamb you shall offer at evening, and shall do to it according to the meal offering of the morning, and according to its drink offering, for a pleasant aroma, an offering made by fire to Yahweh. 42 It shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the Tent of Meeting before Yahweh, where I will meet with you, to speak there to you. 43 There I will meet with the children of Israel; and the place shall be sanctified by my glory. 44 I will sanctify the Tent of Meeting and the altar: Aaron also and his sons I will sanctify, to minister to me in the priest’s office.

God Will Dwell among the People

45 I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God. 46 They shall know that I am Yahweh their God, who brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I might dwell among them: I am Yahweh their God.

Consecration of the Priests
(Leviticus 8:1–13)

1 “Now this is what you are to do to consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve Me as priests: Take a young bull and two rams without blemish, 2 along with unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil. Make them out of fine wheat flour, 3 put them in a basket, and present them in the basket, along with the bull and the two rams.

4 Then present Aaron and his sons at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water. 5 Take the garments and clothe Aaron with the tunic, the robe of the ephod, the ephod itself, and the breastplate. Fasten the ephod on him with its woven waistband. 6 Put the turban on his head and attach the holy diadem to the turban. 7 Then take the anointing oil and anoint him by pouring it on his head.

8 Present his sons as well and clothe them with tunics. 9 Wrap the sashes around Aaron and his sons and tie headbands on them. The priesthood shall be theirs by a permanent statute. In this way you are to ordain Aaron and his sons.

The Order of the Sacrifices
(Leviticus 8:22–36)

10 You are to present the bull at the front of the Tent of Meeting, and Aaron and his sons are to lay their hands on its head. 11 And you shall slaughter the bull before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 12 Take some of the blood of the bull and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger; then pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. 13 Take all the fat that covers the entrails and the lobe of the liver, and both kidneys with the fat on them, and burn them on the altar. 14 But burn the flesh of the bull and its hide and dung outside the camp; it is a sin offering. a

15 Take one of the rams, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head. 16 You are to slaughter the ram, take its blood, and sprinkle it on all sides of the altar. 17 Cut the ram into pieces, wash the entrails and legs, and place them with its head and other pieces. 18 Then burn the entire ram on the altar; it is a burnt offering to the LORD, a pleasing aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD.

19 Take the second ram, and Aaron and his sons are to lay their hands on its head. 20 Slaughter the ram, take some of its blood, and put it on the right earlobes of Aaron and his sons, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. Sprinkle the remaining blood on all sides of the altar. 21 And take some of the blood on the altar and some of the anointing oil and sprinkle it on Aaron and his garments, as well as on his sons and their garments. Then he and his garments will be consecrated, as well as his sons and their garments.

22 Take the fat from the ram, the fat tail, the fat covering the entrails, the lobe of the liver, both kidneys with the fat on them, and the right thigh (since this is a ram for ordination), 23 along with one loaf of bread, one cake of bread made with oil, and one wafer from the basket of unleavened bread that is before the LORD. 24 Put all these in the hands of Aaron and his sons and wave them before the LORD as a wave offering. 25 Then take them from their hands and burn them on the altar atop the burnt offering as a pleasing aroma before the LORD; it is an offering made by fire to the LORD.

26 Take the breast of the ram of Aaron’s ordination and wave it before the LORD as a wave offering, and it will be your portion. 27 Consecrate for Aaron and his sons the breast of the wave offering that is waved and the thigh of the heave offering that is lifted up from the ram of ordination. 28 This will belong to Aaron and his sons as a regular portion from the Israelites, for it is the heave offering the Israelites will make to the LORD from their peace offerings.

29 The holy garments that belong to Aaron will belong to his sons after him, so they can be anointed and ordained in them. 30 The son who succeeds him as priest and enters the Tent of Meeting to minister in the Holy Place must wear them for seven days.

Food for the Priests

31 You are to take the ram of ordination and boil its flesh in a holy place. 32 At the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, Aaron and his sons are to eat the meat of the ram and the bread that is in the basket. 33 They must eat those things by which atonement was made for their ordination and consecration. But no outsider may eat them, because these things are sacred. 34 And if any of the meat of ordination or any bread is left until the morning, you are to burn up the remainder. It must not be eaten, because it is sacred.

35 This is what you are to do for Aaron and his sons based on all that I have commanded you, taking seven days to ordain them. 36 Sacrifice a bull as a sin offering each day for atonement. Purify the altar by making atonement for it, and anoint it to consecrate it. 37 For seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will become most holy; whatever touches the altar will be holy.

The Daily Offerings
(Numbers 28:1–8)

38 This is what you are to offer regularly on the altar, each day: two lambs that are a year old. 39 Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight. b 40 With the first lamb offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour, c mixed with a quarter hin of oil from pressed olives, d and a drink offering of a quarter hin of wine. 41 And offer the second lamb at twilight with the same grain offering and drink offering as in the morning, as a pleasing aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD.

42 For the generations to come, this burnt offering shall be made regularly at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting before the LORD, where I will meet you to speak with you. 43 I will also meet with the Israelites there, and that place will be consecrated by My glory. 44 So I will consecrate the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and I will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve Me as priests.

God Will Dwell among the People

45 Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. 46 And they will know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt so that I might dwell among them.

I am the LORD their God.

Footnotes:

14 a Or purification offering ; also in verse 36
39 b Hebrew between the two evenings ; also in verse 41
40 c A tenth of an ephah  is approximately 2 dry quarts or 2.2 liters (probably about 2.6 pounds or 1.2 kilograms of flour).
40 d Hebrew a quarter hin of pressed oil ; that is, approximately 0.97 quarts or 0.92 liters

Consecration of the Priests

(Leviticus 8:1-13)

1And this is the thing which thou dost to them, to hallow them, for being priests to Me: Take one bullock, a son of the herd, and two rams, perfect ones, 2and bread unleavened, and cakes unleavened anointed with oil, of fine wheaten flour thou dost make them, 3and thou hast put them on one basket, and hast brought them near in the basket, also the bullock and the two rams. 4'And Aaron and his sons thou dost bring near unto the opening of the tent of meeting, and hast bathed them with water; 5and thou hast taken the garments, and hast clothed Aaron with the coat, and the upper robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breastplate, and hast girded him with the girdle of the ephod, 6and hast set the mitre on his head, and hast put the holy crown on the mitre, 7and hast taken the anointing oil, and hast poured it on his head, and hast anointed him. 8And his sons thou dost bring near, and hast clothed them with coats, 9and hast girded them with a girdle (Aaron and his sons), and hast bound on them bonnets; and the priesthood hath been theirs by a statute age-during, and thou hast consecrated the hand of Aaron, and the hand of his sons,

Order of the Sacrifices

(Leviticus 8:22-36)

10and hast brought near the bullock before the tent of meeting, and Aaron hath laid -- his sons also -- their hands on the head of the bullock. 11'And thou hast slaughtered the bullock before Jehovah, at the opening of the tent of meeting, 12and hast taken of the blood of the bullock, and hast put it on the horns of the altar with thy finger, and all the blood thou dost pour out at the foundation of the altar; 13and thou hast taken all the fat which is covering the inwards, and the redundance on the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat which is on them, and hast made perfume on the altar; 14and the flesh of the bullock, and his skin, and his dung, thou dost burn with fire at the outside of the camp; it is a sin-offering.

15'And the one ram thou dost take, and Aaron and his sons have laid their hands on the head of the ram, 16and thou hast slaughtered the ram, and hast taken its blood, and hast sprinkled it on the altar round about, 17and the ram thou dost cut into its pieces, and hast washed its inwards, and its legs, and hast put them on its pieces, and on its head; 18and thou hast made perfume with the whole ram on the altar. It is a burnt-offering to Jehovah, a sweet fragrance; a fire-offering it is to Jehovah.

19'And thou hast taken the second ram, and Aaron hath laid -- his sons also -- their hands on the head of the ram, 20and thou hast slaughtered the ram, and hast taken of its blood, and hast put on the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and on the tip of the right ear of his sons, and on the thumb of their right hand, and on the great toe of their right foot, and hast sprinkled the blood on the altar round about; 21and thou hast taken of the blood which is on the altar, and of the anointing oil, and hast sprinkled on Aaron, and on his garments, and on his sons, and on the garments of his sons with him, and he hath been hallowed, he, and his garments, and his sons, and the garments of his sons with him.

22And thou hast taken from the ram the fat, and the fat tail, and the fat which is covering the inwards, and the redundance on the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat which is on them, and the right leg, for it is a ram of consecration, 23and one round cake of bread, and one cake of oiled bread, and one thin cake out of the basket of the unleavened things which is before Jehovah. 24'And thou hast set the whole on the hands of Aaron, and on the hands of his sons, and hast waved them -- a wave-offering before Jehovah; 25and thou hast taken them out of their hand, and hast made perfume on the altar beside the burnt-offering, for sweet fragrance before Jehovah; a fire-offering it is to Jehovah.

26And thou hast taken the breast from the ram of the consecration which is for Aaron, and hast waved it -- a wave-offering before Jehovah, and it hath become thy portion; 27and thou hast sanctified the breast of the wave-offering, and the leg of the heave-offering, which hath been waved, and which hath been lifted up from the ram of the consecration, of that which is for Aaron, and of that which is for his sons; 28and it hath been for Aaron and for his sons, by a statute age-during from the sons of Israel, for it is a heave-offering; and it is a heave offering from the sons of Israel, from the sacrifices of their peace-offerings -- their heave-offering to Jehovah.

29'And the holy garments which are Aaron's, are for his sons after him, to be anointed in them, and to consecrate in them their hand; 30seven days doth the priest in his stead (of his sons) put them on, when he goeth in unto the tent of meeting, to minister in the sanctuary.

Food for the Priests

31'And the ram of the consecration thou dost take, and hast boiled its flesh in the holy place; 32and Aaron hath eaten -- his sons also -- the flesh of the ram, and the bread which is in the basket, at the opening of the tent of meeting; 33and they have eaten those things by which there is atonement to consecrate their hand, to sanctify them; and a stranger doth not eat -- for they are holy; 34and if there be left of the flesh of the consecration or of the bread till the morning, then thou hast burned that which is left with fire; it is not eaten, for it is holy.

35'And thou hast done thus to Aaron and to his sons, according to all that I have commanded thee; seven days thou dost consecrate their hand; 36and a bullock, a sin-offering, thou dost prepare daily for the atonements, and thou hast atoned for the altar, in thy making atonement on it, and hast anointed it to sanctify it; 37seven days thou dost make atonement for the altar, and hast sanctified it, and the altar hath been most holy; all that is coming against the altar is holy.

The Daily Offerings

(Numbers 28:1-8)

38And this is that which thou dost prepare on the altar; two lambs, sons of a year, daily continually; 39the one lamb thou dost prepare in the morning, and the second lamb thou dost prepare between the evenings; 40and a tenth deal of fine flour, mixed with beaten oil, a fourth part of a hin, and a libation, a fourth part of a hin, of wine, is for the one lamb. 41'And the second lamb thou dost prepare between the evenings; according to the present of the morning, and according to its libation, thou dost prepare for it, for sweet fragrance, a fire-offering, to Jehovah: -- 42a continual burnt-offering for your generations, at the opening of the tent of meeting, before Jehovah, whither I am met with you, to speak unto thee there, 43and I have met there with the sons of Israel, and it hath been sanctified by My honour. 44'And I have sanctified the tent of meeting, and the altar, and Aaron and his sons I sanctify for being priests to Me,

God will Dwell Among the People

(2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

45and I have tabernacled in the midst of the sons of Israel, and have become their God, 46and they have known that I am Jehovah their God, who hath brought them out of the land of Egypt, that I may tabernacle in their midst; I am Jehovah their God.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Exodus 29?

1.1Introduction to Exodus 29

1.2Context of Exodus 29

1.3Ancient Key Word Study

1.4Compare & Contrast

1.5Exodus 29 Unique Insights

1.6Exodus 29 Connections to Yeshua

1.7Exodus 29 Scriptural Echoes

1.8Exodus 29 Devotional

1.9Did You Know

What is the meaning of Exodus 29?

Introduction to Exodus 29

Exodus 29 stands as a pivotal chapter in the establishment of the Levitical priesthood, detailing the intricate consecration ceremony for Aaron and his sons. This chapter provides an unprecedented window into the holiness required to approach the living God, as it meticulously outlines the sacred rituals, sacrifices, and symbolic actions necessary for priestly ordination. The detailed instructions reveal God’s profound concern for proper worship and the mediatorial role of the priesthood in Israel’s relationship with Him.

The significance of this chapter cannot be overstated, as it establishes patterns of atonement, consecration, and divine service that would echo throughout Israel’s history and ultimately find their fulfillment in the Messiah Yeshua. Every element of the ceremony points to the absolute necessity of cleansing, dedication, and divine enablement for those who would serve in God’s presence.

Context of Exodus 29

Within the immediate context of Exodus, chapter 29 falls within a larger section (chapters 25-31) containing God’s detailed instructions for the Tabernacle and its service. Following the specifications for the priests’ garments in chapter 28, this chapter naturally progresses to explain how these priests would be set apart for their sacred duties. The positioning is significant – only after establishing the sacred space (Tabernacle) and sacred vestments does God provide the means of consecrating those who would minister there.

In the broader biblical narrative, this chapter serves as a foundational text for understanding the concept of priesthood and mediation between God and humanity. It establishes patterns that would be referenced and built upon throughout the Torah, particularly in Leviticus. The chapter’s emphasis on blood, anointing, and complete consecration presages the ultimate priesthood of the Messiah, who would not need daily sacrifices for His own sins before offering sacrifice for the people’s sins (Hebrews 7:27).

This chapter also sits within the larger covenant context of God dwelling among His people. The establishment of the priesthood was essential for maintaining the covenant relationship, as the priests would serve as mediators between a holy God and His chosen but sinful people. The intricate details of consecration demonstrate both the privilege and gravity of this mediatorial role.

Ancient Key Word Study

קדש (qadash) – “consecrate/sanctify”: This root word appears repeatedly throughout the chapter and carries the fundamental meaning of being set apart or holy. Its usage here emphasizes that the priests were being completely separated from common use and dedicated exclusively to divine service. The intensive form used (Piel) suggests active transformation rather than mere passive designation.
מלא יד (millé yad) – “ordain” (literally “fill the hand”): This unique Hebrew idiom for ordination appears in verse 9 and reflects the investiture of authority and responsibility. The phrase likely originated from the symbolic act of placing sacrificial portions in the priests’ hands, representing their new authority to offer sacrifices.
כפר (kaphar) – “make atonement”: This crucial theological term means to cover or purge, and it appears in the context of the sin offering. The word establishes the fundamental principle that approaching God requires the removal of sin through sacrificial blood.
משח (mashach) – “anoint”: The root from which we get “Messiah,” this word involves the application of oil as a symbol of the Holy Spirit’s empowerment for service. Its usage here connects priestly anointing with the future Messianic office.
תמיד (tamid) – “continual/regular”: Used regarding the daily offerings, this term emphasizes the perpetual nature of priestly service and sacrifice. It represents the constant maintenance of Israel’s relationship with God through prescribed worship.
ניחח (nichoach) – “sweet aroma”: This term describes sacrifices that are pleasing to God, literally a “soothing aroma.” It appears in contexts where the offering symbolizes complete dedication and God’s acceptance of worship.
זרק (zaraq) – “sprinkle”: This specific term for ritual sprinkling of blood appears multiple times and carries technical significance in purification ceremonies. The action symbolizes the application of sacrificial benefits to people or objects.
חטאת (chattat) – “sin offering”: This technical term for the purification offering emphasizes the removal of ritual impurity and moral sin. Its root connects to the basic concept of “missing the mark” or deviating from God’s standard.

Compare & Contrast

The choice of חטאת (chattat) for sin offering rather than אשם (asham) is significant because chattat emphasizes purification and removal of contamination, while asham focuses more on reparation. The consecration ceremony required cleansing before service, making chattat more appropriate.
In verse 14, the instruction to burn the sin offering “outside the camp” rather than on the altar emphasizes its role in removing impurity. This location contrasts with the burnt offering, which ascends to God on the altar, showing different theological purposes.
The sequence of offerings (sin offering, burnt offering, ram of ordination) was specifically chosen to demonstrate the progression from purification to dedication to installation. This order established a pattern that would be followed in all major consecration ceremonies.
The seven-day duration of the consecration period connects to the creation narrative and emphasizes complete transformation. The number seven symbolizes perfection and completion, making it more significant than a shorter or longer period.
The use of מלא יד (filling the hands) rather than simply stating “ordain” emphasizes the activebestowal of priestly authority through tangible symbols. This physical action made abstract authority concrete and visible.
The requirement for blood on the right ear, thumb, and toe specifically (verse 20) rather than general application shows the consecration of the whole person through representative parts – hearing God’s word, doing His work, and walking in His ways.
The combination of blood and anointing oil (verse 21) creates a unique formula not used in other ceremonies, emphasizing the dual aspects of cleansing and empowerment necessary for priestly service.

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Exodus 29 Unique Insights

The rabbinical tradition provides fascinating insights into the deeper meanings of the consecration ritual. The Midrash Rabbah notes that the three animals used in the ceremony (bull and two rams) correspond to the three patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – suggesting that the priesthood built upon the covenantal foundation established through the fathers. This connection emphasizes continuity in God’s redemptive plan.

The early church father Origen observed that the application of blood to the ear, thumb, and toe created a kind of “living cross” on the priest’s body, foreshadowing the marking of believers with Christ’s blood. While this interpretation may be anachronistic, it highlights the ceremony’s rich symbolic potential for understanding the nature of consecration to God’s service.

A particularly profound insight comes from the requirement that the priests remain at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting for seven days (verse 35). The Jewish sages saw this as a symbolic recreation of the seven days of creation, suggesting that the making of a priest was comparable to the making of a new world. This interpretation gains weight when we consider that the Tabernacle itself was seen as a microcosm of creation.

The use of unleavened bread, oil cakes, and wafers in the ceremony points to an interesting theological principle – that service to God requires both purity (unleavened bread) and anointing (oil). The combination of these elements suggests that effective ministry requires both personal holiness and divine empowerment. The early Jewish commentary Mechilta draws a parallel between this and the preparation of Israel at Sinai, where they too needed both purification and anointing to receive the Torah.

The continuous burnt offering established at the end of the chapter (verses 38-42) carries a unique theological weight. Unlike other sacrifices that dealt with specific sins or occasions, this offering represented Israel’s constant devotion and God’s continuous presence. The Hebrew term תמיד (tamid) used here implies more than mere repetition – it suggests an eternal principle of relationship between God and His people.

Exodus 29 Connections to Yeshua

The elaborate consecration ritual for Aaron and his sons finds its ultimate fulfillment in Yeshua the Messiah, our Great High Priest. Unlike the Levitical priests who needed external consecration through animal sacrifices, Yeshua was inherently holy and became our perfect High Priest through His own sacrifice (Hebrews 7:26-27). The multiple sacrifices required for priestly consecration highlight the insufficiency of the old system and point to the need for a better sacrifice, which Yeshua provided once for all.

The sprinkled blood of consecration foreshadows how believers are sprinkled clean by the blood of Yeshua, consecrating them as a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). The continuous burnt offering established at the chapter’s end points to Yeshua’s continuous intercession for His people (Hebrews 7:25). Moreover, the emphasis on complete consecration – involving the whole person through representative parts (ear, thumb, toe) – prefigures how Yeshua’s priesthood transforms the entire person, not just their external behavior.

Exodus 29 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter’s detailed consecration ritual finds numerous echoes throughout Scripture. The concept of priestly consecration is referenced in Leviticus 8, where these instructions are carried out. The principle of blood application for consecration echoes in the New Covenant, where believers are sanctified through the blood of Yeshua (Hebrews 13:12).

The continuous burnt offering established here becomes a touchstone for faithful worship throughout Israel’s history, its interruption being seen as a sign of spiritual crisis (Daniel 8:11). The promise of God dwelling among His people (verses 45-46) finds ultimate fulfillment in the incarnation of Yeshua (John 1:14) and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Exodus 29 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to consider the seriousness of approaching a holy God and the tremendous privilege of being called into His service. Just as the priests underwent elaborate consecration, we too must recognize that serving God requires both divine cleansing and continuous dedication. The detailed requirements remind us that we cannot approach God on our own terms but must come according to His provision.

The continuous burnt offering teaches us about the importance of consistent devotion. In our fast-paced world, we often prefer sporadic spiritual intensity over steady faithfulness. Yet this chapter reminds us that true spirituality involves daily dedication and regular communion with God.

Did You Know

The total amount of blood used in the consecration ceremony would have been substantial, emphasizing the cost of purification and the gravity of approaching God in service.
The wave offering (verse 24) involved a unique ritual motion – traditionally understood to be forward and back (toward the altar and back) and up and down – symbolizing that the offering belonged to God who rules in all directions.
The requirement to burn the leftover consecration food (verse 34) parallels the treatment of Passover leftovers, suggesting a connection between priestly consecration and Israel’s national redemption.
The Hebrew phrase for “ordain” (מלא יד – “fill the hand”) may have origins in Mesopotamian installation ceremonies where new priests were given symbols of their office to hold.
The daily offering of one lamb in the morning and one in the evening created a “framework” for the day, suggesting that all of Israel’s daily activities took place within the context of worship.
The combination of blood and oil used in the consecration ceremony is unique in Torah ritual and is never repeated in exactly the same way in any other ceremony.
The seven-day consecration period mirrors the seven days of creation, suggesting that the making of a priest was viewed as a kind of new creation.
The specific requirement for a bull rather than a smaller animal for the sin offering reflected the greater responsibility and therefore greater need for atonement for those serving as priests.
The burning of the sin offering outside the camp established a pattern that would find its fulfillment in Yeshua’s crucifixion outside Jerusalem (Hebrews 13:11-12).

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Bible Themes

Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. What is the F.O.G?

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