Leviticus Chapter 9

The First Offerings of Aaron

1And it came to pass on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel; 2And he said unto Aaron, Take thee a young calf for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without blemish, and offer them before the LORD. 3And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying, Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt offering; 4Also a bullock and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before the LORD; and a meat offering mingled with oil: for to day the LORD will appear unto you. 5And they brought that which Moses commanded before the tabernacle of the congregation: and all the congregation drew near and stood before the LORD. 6And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commanded that ye should do: and the glory of the LORD shall appear unto you. 7And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the LORD commanded.

The Sin Offering

(Leviticus 6:24-30)

8Aaron therefore went unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself. 9And the sons of Aaron brought the blood unto him: and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the bottom of the altar: 10But the fat, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver of the sin offering, he burnt upon the altar; as the LORD commanded Moses. 11And the flesh and the hide he burnt with fire without the camp.

The Burnt Offering

(Leviticus 6:8-13)

12And he slew the burnt offering; and Aaron's sons presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled round about upon the altar. 13And they presented the burnt offering unto him, with the pieces thereof, and the head: and he burnt them upon the altar. 14And he did wash the inwards and the legs, and burnt them upon the burnt offering on the altar.

The Offerings for the People

15And he brought the people's offering, and took the goat, which was the sin offering for the people, and slew it, and offered it for sin, as the first. 16And he brought the burnt offering, and offered it according to the manner. 17And he brought the meat offering, and took an handful thereof, and burnt it upon the altar, beside the burnt sacrifice of the morning.

18He slew also the bullock and the ram for a sacrifice of peace offerings, which was for the people: and Aaron's sons presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled upon the altar round about, 19And the fat of the bullock and of the ram, the rump, and that which covereth the inwards, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver: 20And they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burnt the fat upon the altar: 21And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron waved for a wave offering before the LORD; as Moses commanded.

22And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings.

Moses and Aaron Bless the People

23And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people. 24And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Aaron’s First Offerings

1 It happened on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel; 2 and he said to Aaron, “Take a calf from the herd for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without blemish, and offer them before Yahweh. 3 You shall speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘Take a male goat for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both a year old, without blemish, for a burnt offering; 4 and a bull and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before Yahweh; and a meal offering mixed with oil: for today Yahweh appears to you.’” 5 They brought what Moses commanded before the Tent of Meeting: and all the congregation drew near and stood before Yahweh. 6 Moses said, “This is the thing which Yahweh commanded that you should do: and the glory of Yahweh shall appear to you.” 7 Moses said to Aaron, “Draw near to the altar, and offer your sin offering, and your burnt offering, and make atonement for yourself, and for the people; and offer the offering of the people, and make atonement for them; as Yahweh commanded.”

8 So Aaron drew near to the altar, and killed the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself. 9 The sons of Aaron presented the blood to him; and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it on the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the base of the altar: 10 but the fat, and the kidneys, and the cover from the liver of the sin offering, he burned upon the altar; as Yahweh commanded Moses. 11 The flesh and the skin he burned with fire outside the camp.

12 He killed the burnt offering; and Aaron’s sons delivered the blood to him, and he sprinkled it around on the altar. 13 They delivered the burnt offering to him, piece by piece, and the head: and he burned them upon the altar. 14 He washed the innards and the legs, and burned them on the burnt offering on the altar.

15 He presented the people’s offering, and took the goat of the sin offering which was for the people, and killed it, and offered it for sin, like the first. 16 He presented the burnt offering, and offered it according to the ordinance. 17 He presented the meal offering, and filled his hand from there, and burned it upon the altar, besides the burnt offering of the morning.

18 He also killed the bull and the ram, the sacrifice of peace offerings, which was for the people: and Aaron’s sons delivered to him the blood, which he sprinkled around on the altar, 19 and the fat of the bull and of the ram, the fat tail, and that which covers the innards, and the kidneys, and the cover of the liver: 20 and they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burned the fat on the altar: 21 and the breasts and the right thigh Aaron waved for a wave offering before Yahweh, as Moses commanded.

22 Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people, and blessed them; and he came down from offering the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings.

23 Moses and Aaron went into the Tent of Meeting, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of Yahweh appeared to all the people. 24 There came forth fire from before Yahweh, and consumed the burnt offering and the fat upon the altar: and when all the people saw it, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

Aaron’s First Offerings

1 On the eighth day Moses summoned Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel. 2 He said to Aaron, “Take for yourself a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering, both without blemish, and present them before the LORD. 3 Then speak to the Israelites and say, ‘Take a male goat for a sin offering, a calf and a lamb—both a year old and without blemish—for a burnt offering, 4 an ox a and a ram for a peace offering to sacrifice before the LORD, and a grain offering mixed with oil. For today the LORD will appear to you.’ ”

5 So they took what Moses had commanded to the front of the Tent of Meeting, and the whole congregation drew near and stood before the LORD. 6 And Moses said, “This is what the LORD has commanded you to do, so that the glory of the LORD may appear to you.”

7 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Approach the altar and sacrifice your sin offering and your burnt offering to make atonement for yourself and for the people. And sacrifice the people’s offering to make atonement for them, as the LORD has commanded.”

8 So Aaron approached the altar and slaughtered the calf as a sin offering for himself. 9 The sons of Aaron brought the blood to him, and he dipped his finger in the blood and applied it to the horns of the altar. And he poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. 10 On the altar he burned the fat, the kidneys, and the lobe of the liver from the sin offering, as the LORD had commanded Moses. 11 But he burned up the flesh and the hide outside the camp.

12 Then Aaron slaughtered the burnt offering. His sons brought him the blood, and he sprinkled it on all sides of the altar. 13 They brought him the burnt offering piece by piece, including the head, and he burned them on the altar. 14 He washed the entrails and the legs and burned them atop the burnt offering on the altar.

15 Aaron then presented the people’s offering. He took the male goat for the people’s sin offering, slaughtered it, and offered it for sin like the first one.

16 He presented the burnt offering and offered it according to the ordinance.

17 Next he presented the grain offering, took a handful of it, and burned it on the altar in addition to the morning’s burnt offering.

18 Then he slaughtered the ox and the ram as the people’s peace offering. His sons brought him the blood, and he sprinkled it on all sides of the altar.

19 They also brought the fat portions from the ox and the ram—the fat tail, the fat covering the entrails, the kidneys, and the lobe of the liver— 20 and placed these on the breasts. Aaron burned the fat portions on the altar, 21 but he waved the breasts and the right thigh as a wave offering before the LORD, as Moses had commanded.

22 Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them. And having made the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offering, he stepped down.

23 Moses and Aaron then entered the Tent of Meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people, and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. 24 Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.

Footnotes:

4 a Or a bull  or a cow ; also in verses 18 and 19

The First Offerings of Aaron

1And it cometh to pass on the eighth day, Moses hath called for Aaron and for his sons, and for the elders of Israel, 2and he saith unto Aaron, 'Take to thyself a calf, a son of the herd, for a sin-offering, and a ram for a burnt-offering, perfect ones, and bring near before Jehovah. 3'And unto the sons of Israel thou dost speak, saying, Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin-offering, and a calf, and a lamb, sons of a year, perfect ones, for a burnt-offering, 4and a bullock and a ram for peace-offerings, to sacrifice before Jehovah, and a present mixed with oil; for to-day Jehovah hath appeared unto you.' 5And they take that which Moses hath commanded unto the front of the tent of meeting, and all the company draw near and stand before Jehovah; 6and Moses saith, 'This is the thing which Jehovah hath commanded; do it, and the honour of Jehovah doth appear unto you.' 7And Moses saith unto Aaron, 'Draw near unto the altar, and make thy sin-offering, and thy burnt-offering, and make atonement for thyself, and for the people, and make the offering of the people, and make atonement for them, as Jehovah hath commanded.'

The Sin Offering

(Leviticus 6:24-30)

8And Aaron draweth near unto the altar, and slaughtereth the calf of the sin-offering, which is for himself; 9and the sons of Aaron bring the blood near unto him, and he dippeth his finger in the blood, and putteth it on the horns of the altar, and the blood he hath poured out at the foundation of the altar; 10and the fat, and the kidneys, and the redundance of the liver, of the sin-offering, he hath made a perfume on the altar, as Jehovah hath commanded Moses; 11and the flesh and the skin he hath burnt with fire, at the outside of the camp.

The Burnt Offering

(Leviticus 6:8-13)

12And he slaughtereth the burnt-offering, and the sons of Aaron have presented unto him the blood, and he sprinkleth it on the altar round about; 13and the burnt-offering they have presented unto him, by its pieces, and the head, and he maketh perfume on the altar; 14and he washeth the inwards and the legs, and maketh perfume for the burnt-offering on the altar.

The Offerings for the People

15And he bringeth near the offering of the people, and taketh the goat of the sin-offering which is for the people, and slaughtered it, and maketh it a sin-offering, like the first; 16and he bringeth near the burnt-offering, and maketh it, according to the ordinance; 17and he bringeth near the present, and filleth his palm with it, and maketh perfume on the altar, apart from the burnt-offering of the morning.

18And he slaughtereth the bullock and the ram, a sacrifice of the peace-offerings, which are for the people, and sons of Aaron present the blood unto him (and he sprinkleth it on the altar round about), 19and the fat of the bullock, and of the ram, the fat tail, and the covering of the inwards, and the kidneys, and the redundance above the liver, 20and they set the fat on the breasts, and he maketh perfume with the fat on the altar; 21and the breasts, and the right leg hath Aaron waved -- a wave-offering before Jehovah, as He hath commanded Moses.

22And Aaron lifteth up his hand towards the people, and blesseth them, and cometh down from making the sin-offering, and the burnt-offering, and the peace-offerings.

Moses and Aaron Bless the People

23And Moses goeth in -- Aaron also -- unto the tent of meeting, and they come out, and bless the people, and the honour of Jehovah appeareth unto all the people; 24and fire cometh out from before Jehovah, and consumeth on the altar the burnt-offering, and the fat; and all the people see, and cry aloud, and fall on their faces.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Leviticus 9?

1.1Introduction to Leviticus 9

1.2Context of Leviticus 9

1.3Ancient Key Word Study

1.4Compare & Contrast

1.5Leviticus 9 Unique Insights

1.6Leviticus 9 Connections to Yeshua

1.7Leviticus 9 Scriptural Echoes

1.8Leviticus 9 Devotional

1.9Did You Know

What is the meaning of Leviticus 9?

Introduction to Leviticus 9

Leviticus 9 marks a pivotal moment in Israel’s spiritual history – the inauguration of the priesthood and the first public worship service in the newly constructed Tabernacle. After seven days of consecration, Aaron and his sons begin their priestly ministry before all Israel. This chapter showcases the breathtaking culmination of God’s detailed instructions for worship, demonstrating His desire to dwell among His people while maintaining His perfect holiness.

This chapter stands as a testament to God’s meticulous care in establishing proper worship and the profound reality that approaching a holy God requires careful preparation and precise adherence to His instructions. The dramatic conclusion, where God’s glory appears and consumes the offerings with fire from heaven, provides one of the most awe-inspiring displays of divine approval in Scripture.

Context of Leviticus 9

The events of Leviticus 9 follow directly after the seven-day consecration period of Aaron and his sons detailed in Leviticus 8. This consecration process, mandated in Exodus 29, prepared the priests for their sacred duties. The chapter serves as the culmination of the extensive instructions for the sacrificial system given in Leviticus 1-7, demonstrating how these offerings were to be practically implemented in Israel’s worship.

Within the broader context of Scripture, this chapter represents a significant milestone in God’s relationship with Israel. The establishment of the priesthood fulfills part of God’s covenant promises to make Israel a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6). The divine fire consuming the offerings parallels other momentous occasions in Scripture where God demonstrated His approval through fire, such as Elijah’s contest on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:38) and the dedication of Solomon’s temple (2 Chronicles 7:1).

This inauguration of the Tabernacle worship system points forward to greater realities in God’s redemptive plan. The elaborate preparations and precise requirements for approaching God foreshadow the ultimate provision of access to God through the Messiah Yeshua, our Great High Priest, who would perfectly fulfill all these types and shadows.

Ancient Key Word Study

Eighth Day (יום השמיני): The timing is significant as eight in Hebrew numerology represents new beginnings and completion. Following the seven days of consecration, this eighth day marked the commencement of a new era in Israel’s worship. This number appears repeatedly in Scripture connected to new covenants and fresh starts.
Draw Near (קרב): This Hebrew verb, used multiple times in the chapter, carries deep theological significance. It emphasizes the privilege and responsibility of approaching God in worship. The word implies both spatial and relational nearness, highlighting the remarkable reality that sinful humans could draw near to the holy God through His prescribed means.
Glory (כבוד): The Hebrew term kavod literally means “weight” or “heaviness,” suggesting the weighty presence and manifestation of God. When used of יהוה, it refers to His visible presence among His people, often associated with fire, cloud, or extreme brightness.
Fire (אש): The divine fire that consumed the offerings demonstrated God’s acceptance of the sacrifice. This supernatural fire represented both God’s holiness that consumes and His grace that accepts the substitutionary offering. The same word is used for the fire that would later consume unauthorized offerings.
Blessing (ברכה): When Aaron blessed the people, he was acting as God’s representative, conveying divine favor and protection. The word carries the idea of empowerment and enrichment, not merely good wishes but the actual impartation of God’s goodness.
Fell on Their Faces (ויפלו על־פניהם): This phrase describes the people’s response to God’s glory. The Hebrew indicates a complete prostration, expressing total submission and awe before divine majesty. This physical posture reflected their spiritual recognition of God’s overwhelming holiness.
Commanded (צוה): This word appears repeatedly, emphasizing that every action in the inauguration ceremony was done in accordance with divine instruction. The root suggests authoritative direction that demands obedience, highlighting the importance of following God’s precise instructions in worship.

Compare & Contrast

In verse 2, the choice of a “young calf” (עגל) for Aaron’s sin offering carries special significance. Some rabbis suggest this was to atone specifically for the golden calf incident. The word עגל rather than פר (bull) emphasizes the youth of the animal, perhaps pointing to the need for Aaron to acknowledge his earlier failure while still a spiritual “youth.”
The sequence of offerings in verses 8-21 follows a specific pattern that differs from the normal order of sacrifices. The sin offering comes first, followed by the burnt offering, and then the peace offerings. This unique order emphasizes the primary need for atonement before celebration, teaching that fellowship with God requires first addressing the barrier of sin.
The double blessing in verses 22-23 is noteworthy. Aaron first blesses independently, then again with Moses. The Hebrew construction suggests the first blessing used the priestly benediction of Numbers 6:24-26, while the second combined both prophetic and priestly authority.
The phrase “fire came out from before יהוה” in verse 24 uses the preposition מלפני rather than the more common מאת. This specific construction emphasizes the fire’s origin from God’s immediate presence rather than simply from His general direction, highlighting the direct divine approval of the sacrifices.
The people’s response of רנן (singing for joy) and falling on their faces presents a fascinating paradox. The Hebrew word choice shows simultaneous expressions of exuberant joy and reverential fear, teaching that true worship combines both intimate delight in God and awesome respect for His holiness.

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Leviticus 9 Unique Insights

The rabbinical tradition preserves several fascinating insights about this chapter. The Talmud (Shabbat 30a) notes that the joy of this day was equivalent to the joy at the creation of heaven and earth, suggesting that the establishment of the sacrificial system represented a new beginning in God’s relationship with humanity, parallel to creation itself.

The Midrash Rabbah draws attention to an interesting detail: the fire that came from before יהוה took the form of a lion, consuming the offerings on the altar. This imagery connects to later prophetic visions of divine glory and suggests that God’s acceptance of worship is not passive but active and powerful. This tradition may help explain why lions became such a prominent symbol in Jewish religious art and architecture.

Some early church fathers, including Origen and Gregory the Great, saw profound typological significance in the eighth day timing. They connected it to the day of the Messiah’s resurrection, seeing in this inauguration a foreshadowing of the new covenant worship that would be established through Yeshua’s resurrection on the first day of the week, which is also the eighth day.

The chapter also contains a subtle but significant detail in verse 23, where Moses and Aaron enter the Tent of Meeting together. This is the only recorded instance where Aaron enters the Holy Place with Moses, symbolizing the transfer of spiritual authority and the establishment of the priestly order. The Zohar suggests this moment represented the perfect harmony of prophetic and priestly offices, a unity that would find its ultimate fulfillment in the Messiah.

Leviticus 9 Connections to Yeshua

The inauguration of the Aaronic priesthood powerfully foreshadows the superior priesthood of Yeshua the Messiah. The elaborate preparations and multiple sacrifices required for Aaron to begin his priestly service highlight by contrast the perfection of our Great High Priest, who needed no sacrifices for Himself but offered Himself once for all (Hebrews 7:27).

The divine fire that consumed the offerings points to the ultimate acceptance of Messiah’s sacrifice. Just as God demonstrated His approval of the Levitical system through supernatural fire, so He demonstrated His acceptance of Yeshua’s sacrifice through the resurrection. The people’s response of falling on their faces foreshadows the day when every knee will bow before the Messiah (Philippians 2:10-11).

The double blessing given by Aaron and Moses prefigures the dual roles of Yeshua as both Priest and Prophet, who not only offers the perfect sacrifice but also perfectly reveals the Father to His people. The manifestation of God’s glory in this chapter anticipates the fuller revelation of divine glory in the person of Yeshua, who is “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being” (Hebrews 1:3).

Leviticus 9 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter resonates with numerous other biblical passages, creating a rich tapestry of theological connections. The appearance of God’s glory and consuming fire recalls Moses’ experience at the burning bush (Exodus 3:2) and anticipates later manifestations at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:38) and Pentecost (Acts 2:3).

The careful preparation and precise obedience required for divine service finds parallels in Solomon’s temple dedication (2 Chronicles 5-7) and the New Testament’s teaching about approaching God in worship (Hebrews 12:28-29). The theme of God’s glory dwelling among His people reaches its climax in the incarnation (John 1:14) and finds its ultimate fulfillment in the new Jerusalem (Revelation 21:3).

Leviticus 9 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to consider the seriousness of approaching God in worship. While we no longer need elaborate sacrificial preparations thanks to Messiah’s completed work, the principle of reverent preparation remains vital. How often do we rush into God’s presence without properly preparing our hearts?

The people’s response of joyful awe provides a model for balanced worship. We are invited to draw near with confidence through the Messiah’s blood, yet this access should never lead to casual familiarity that forgets God’s holiness. True worship combines intimate love with profound reverence.

The divine fire reminds us that God is not passive in our worship – He actively responds to sincere devotion. When we worship in spirit and truth, we can expect God to manifest His presence, though perhaps not as dramatically as in this chapter. Are we coming to worship expecting to encounter the living God?

Did You Know

The timing of this inauguration ceremony coincided with the first of Nisan, exactly one year after the exodus from Egypt. This timing connected Israel’s physical deliverance with their spiritual organization as God’s covenant people.
According to Jewish tradition, this was one of only nine occasions in biblical history where divine fire came down from heaven to consume sacrifices.
The Talmud records that the heavenly fire that descended on this day remained burning on the altar continuously until the destruction of Solomon’s temple, approximately 400 years later.
The double blessing given by Aaron established the pattern for the priestly blessing still used in synagogues and many churches today.
The Hebrew word for “fell” in verse 24 is in the singular form though describing a plural action, suggesting to rabbinical commentators that the people fell in perfect unity, as “one person with one heart.”
The chapter contains exactly 100 Hebrew words in the sections describing the actual sacrificial procedures, which some scholars suggest symbolizes completeness and perfection.
Archaeological discoveries from this period show that other ancient Near Eastern cultures also practiced elaborate priesthood inauguration ceremonies, but none involved divine fire as confirmation.
The word order in verse 24 places “all the people” before the verbs “saw,” “shouted,” and “fell,” emphasizing the universal nature of the response to God’s glory.

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