Leviticus · Chapter 8

Verses 1, 2. The Lord spake unto Moses — This is here premised to show that Moses did not confer the priesthood upon his brother Aaron because of his relation or affection to him, but by God’s appointment. Take Aaron, and his sons with him — All directions which were needful being given respecting sacrifices, and the rites belonging to them, Moses is now ordered to consecrate the priests according to the injunctions given before, Exodus 28., 29., and 30.

Verse 2. Take Aaron and his sons] The whole subject of this chapter has been anticipated in the notes, See “Exodus 28:1”, &c., and See “Exodus 29:1”, &c., in which all the sacrifices, rites, and ceremonies have been explained in considerable detail; and to those notes the reader is referred. It is only necessary to observe that Aaron and his sons were not anointed until now. Before, the thing was commanded; now, first performed.

Verses 1, 2. The Lord spake unto Moses — This is here premised to show that Moses did not confer the priesthood upon his brother Aaron because of his relation or affection to him, but by God’s appointment. Take Aaron, and his sons with him — All directions which were needful being given respecting sacrifices, and the rites belonging to them, Moses is now ordered to consecrate the priests according to the injunctions given before, Exodus 28., 29., and 30.

Verse 2. The garments. See Exodus 28. where these are described. In after times the ten tribes substituted a teraphim for the ephod.

2. Aaron and his sons — They had been previously designated to this office, and their official garments had been appointed, (Exodus 28,) and the anointing oil had been compounded, (Exodus 30:23,) and the consecratory service had been minutely described. Exodus 29. Sin offering — So encompassed are the best men with infirmities, and so liable to sins of ignorance (Hebrews 9:7, note) and inadvertence, that they need the efficacy of a perpetual expiatory sacrifice to keep them in a state of acceptance before a holy God. 1 John 1:7, note. Hence Aaron and his sons are treated as presumptive sinners for whom atonement must be made before their induction into the priestly office. Christ commissions only pardoned and regenerate men to preach his glorious Gospel, though they may be called, as were Aaron and his sons, before they are sprinkled with the blood of atonement. Two rams — One was for a burnt offering and the other was the ram of consecration, the flesh of which was treated as a peace offering. Verses 29-32. Unleavened bread — This was for a meat or bread offering. Thus, with the exception of the trespass offering, all the great sacrifices were combined in a prescribed order in this consecratory service. The order of the offerings is important as a key to their significance. See Introduction, (5.)

V. 3. All the congregation-The elders who represented all, and as many of the people as would, and could get thither, that all might be witnesses both of Aaron’s commission from God, and of his work and business.

Verse 3. All the congregation — The elders, who represented all, and as many of the people as would and could get thither, that all might be witnesses both of Aaron’s commission from God, and of his work and business.

3. Gather… all the congregation — The elders representing the people gathered in front of the tabernacle; behind them stood the congregation occupying all the heights around. No ordination of a minister should be in the presence of ministers only, but before the laity, who are deeply interested in the character and qualifications of those who stand before them as God’s representatives.

Ver. 6. Moses washed them with water. Moses acts in this instance in the double capacity of priest and king. He consecrates Aaron and his four sons to the Lord, by a continual purification for seven days. He first washes them with water, then sprinkles them with the blood of the sin-offering, and afterwards anoints them with the holy oil. This action is celebrated in Psalm 99:6, where Moses and Aaron are said to be among the Lord’s priests.

6. Washed them with water — Physical purity is desirable in itself. Cleanliness is next to godliness. But this washing of the outer man symbolizes the purgation of the inner man from all filthiness of the spirit, by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. Nearly all pagan nations employ water as an indication of a moral cleansing, either borrowing the practice from the Hebrews or because the symbolism is naturally suggested to the mind. The Egyptian priests bathed in cold water twice each day and twice each night. Exodus 2:5, note. The supposition that this washing of the priests in the wilderness was by the immersion of the entire person is too violent to be entertained. Nevertheless the Hebrew word xjr here used is the same as that found in 2 Kings 5:10, “Go wash in Jordan.” For its bearing on the meaning of baptw see Methodist Quarterly, January, 1874, and January, 1875, p. 67.

7. The coat — This is the cethoneth, corresponding to the Greek citwn, a closely-fitting garment in form and use like our shirt, by which term it should be translated. A person wearing this alone was described as naked. 1 Samuel 19:24; Isaiah 20:2; John 21:7. The girdle — The abhnet was an ornamental belt or sash, worn only by priests and state officers. Aaron’s was of fine twilled linen, tricoloured, blue, purple, and scarlet, embroidered with flowers of needlework. Exodus 39:29. It was tied in a knot, so that the ends hung down in front nearly to the feet, and were thrown over the left shoulder in time of sacrifice. The length, according to Maimonides, was thirty-two cubits, and it was wrapped several times round the body, just below the armpits; its breadth was three fingers. The robe — The me’il. This was a cloak worn over the cethoneth, and under the girdle, reaching down to the feet. The ephod — The term is transferred from the Hebrew. This sacred vestment was originally for the high priest, but it was afterwards worn by ordinary priests, (1 Samuel 22:18,) and deemed characteristic of the office. Hosea 3:4. It was divided below the armpits into two parts, one covering the front, to which the breastplate was attached, and the other the back, the two parts being united on the shoulders by clasps of gold or precious stones. It reached down to the middle of the thighs, and was worn over the robe. Much gold was used in making it. Exodus 39:2-21. To make a new style of ephod implied the introduction of a new system of worship. The curious girdle of the ephod — “Curious” is an adjective not found in the original. What is meant is, the band for the two parts of the ephod, which was of the same material and of one piece with it. Exodus 28:8.

Verse 8. He put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim.] The Urim and Thummim are here supposed to be something different from the breastplate itself. See Clarke’s notes on “Exodus 28:15”; “Exodus 28:16”; “Exodus 28:30”.

8. The breastplate — The choshen was an ornamental bag or four-cornered gorget, with twelve precious stones set in gold, arranged in four rows. The Seventy call it logeion, or logion, the speaking place, and in the Vulgate it is styled rationale, in reference to its use as an oracle. As the term breastplate is descriptive of armour it is an unfortunate translation. Within this bag were deposited the Urim and the Thummim. It is evident from this verse that these things which Moses put into the choshen at the consecration of Aaron are different from the precious stones previously set by the jeweller. Exodus 28:15-21. “The sculptures of Thebes and Beni-Hassan afford testimony to the skill of the Egyptian goldsmiths; and numerous gold and silver vases, inlaid work and jewelry, represented in common use, show the great advancement they had already made, at a remote period, in this branch. The engraving of gold, the mode of casting it, and inlaying it with stones, were evidently known at the same time; numerous specimens of this kind of work have been found in Egypt.” — Wilkinson. The Urim and Thummim — lights and perfections; in the Seventy dhlwsiv kai alhqeia, manifestation and truth; in the Vulgate, doctrina et veritas — are, in their nature and manner of use, the greatest puzzle to be found in the whole range of Jewish antiquities. For a full discussion, see Exodus 28:30; Joshua 1:1, notes. Opinions are various: 1.) Some physical effect indicated the divine will; or, 2.) Their presence excited a prophetic gift in the high priest; or, 3.) They were a contrivance for casting lots.

Verse 9. And he put the mitre] See Clarke’s note on “Exodus 28:36”.

Verse 9. The holy crown — The crown signified the dignity of the high-priest, and its being termed holy, the sanctity of his person and office. Thus he was a type of Christ, crowned with glory and honour, perfectly holy, and consecrated for evermore.

9. The mitre — This was a turban, since its Hebrew name is from a verb signifying to wind about. This was a very splendid head-covering, worn only by pontiffs and kings, (Ezekiel 21:26,) as an emblem of dignity, styled in Ecclus. 45:12, “an ornament of honour, a costly work, the desire of the eyes.” The holy crown — It was called holy because it had the tetragrammaton — the four-lettered Hebrew word for Jehovah — inscribed upon it. Exodus 28:36. It was of fine linen, with a fillet of blue lace, symbolizing heaven, and over it a golden diadem, “on which,” says Josephus, “blossomed a golden calyx like the flower of the henbane.” The engraved golden plate was a gold band, two fingers broad, tied behind with blue lace embroidered with flowers. It bore the inscription, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.

10. Anointed… sanctified — The first verb is the act of setting apart, the second expresses the state of objects thus set apart or consecrated to a religious use. The anointing of the Holy Ghost introduces the soul into that marvellous light, full assurance, and perfect love, which constitute evangelical perfection. 1 John 2:27; 2 Corinthians 3:8-18.

Verse 11. He sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times — To signify the singular use and holiness of it, which it was not only to have in itself, but to communicate to all the sacrifices laid upon it. And thus does the blood of atonement give efficacy to all the services of believers, and render them acceptable to God.

11. Seven times — This number indicates perfection. See Leviticus 4:6, note. The perfect consecration of Aaron is alluded to in Hebrews 7:28, in connection with our High Priest, “who is consecrated (teteleiwmenon, perfected) forever.” In the Seventy the term “consecration” is translated teleiwsiv, making perfect. Verse 33. Hence Jesus is spoken of as fully prepared for his priestly office when he is said to have been made perfect through sufferings. Hebrews 2:10; 5:8, 9. In his personal relation to the moral law he was always perfect.

V. 12. He poured-In a plentiful manner, as appears from Psalm 133:2, whereas other persons and things were only sprinkled with it: because his unction was to typify the anointing of Christ with the Spirit, which was not given by measure to him. A measure of the same anointing is given to all believers.

Verse 12. He poured the oil upon Aaron’s head — In a plentiful manner, as appears from Psalm 133:2, whereas other persons and things were only sprinkled with it; because his unction was to typify the anointing of Christ with the Spirit, which was not given by measure to him. A measure of the same anointing is given to all believers, to all the members of Christ’s mystical body, who, by virtue of their union with their living head, partake of those gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit which were in him. Reader, hast thou received a measure of them? Remember, If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his.

12. He poured… the… oil — This expresses a copious unction. See Psalm 133:2. The same Hebrew word is used in Isaiah 44:3, to indicate the copious effusion of the Spirit in the latter days. Aaron’s sons were only sprinkled with oil and blood, (ver. 30,) but in Leviticus 7:35, they are spoken of as anointed. The fact that Aaron alone was arrayed in his robes of office, and anointed before the blood was shed, beautifully typifies Christ in his peerless excellency and dignity anointed by the Holy Spirit before he accomplished his atoning work. Before the anointing of the sons of Aaron (verse 30) all the acts recorded in verses 13-29 were performed — the blood is shed, the breast waved before Jehovah, and the fat is consumed on the altar, its sweet odour ascending as a type of the ascension of Jesus, who was slain as a victim, and who ascended as a priest to appear in the holy place for us.

13. Bonnets — This word is still used by the Scotch to signify a cap for the head of a man. Hence Walter Scott sings, “And plaids and bonnets waving high.” But its general modern use is restricted to the head covering of a female. The Hebrew means hill shaped, suggesting the conical form of this linen cap. According to Josephus it was a helmet of linen, one wreath being plaited and folded over another, and a thin cap, suited to its shape, put over all to prevent its unfolding.

V. 14. The bullock-There were indeed seven bullocks to be offered at his consecration, one every day; but here he mentions only one, because he here describes only the work of the first day.

Verse 14. The bullock for the sin-offering] This was offered each day during the seven days of consecration. See Exodus 29:36.

Verse 14. The bullock — There were, indeed, seven bullocks to be offered at his consecration, one every day; but here he mentions only one, because he here describes only the work of the first day.

14. Sin offering — See Leviticus 4:3, note, and concluding notes of chap. 4. Note the order of the sacrifices in this service of consecration; first, sin must be expiated, and, secondly, the surrender of self unto Jehovah must be set forth by the whole burnt offering; then the bread offering is presented, symbolizing joyful communion with the Lord through the fruits of holiness. See Introduction, (5.) Hands upon the head — See Leviticus 1:4, note.

Verse 15. Moses took the blood, &c., and purified the altar — This ceremony of touching the altar with blood emphatically signified that all the services which they offered to God partook of their impurity, and that the very altar which consecrated their oblations was defiled by their unhallowed touch. But the sprinkling it with the blood of the victim, which, by divine appointment, was substituted and accepted instead of the forfeited life of the sinner, made room for repentance, the removal of guilt, and purification; on which account the altar is said to be purified and sanctified by this action.

15. Blood… horns — Leviticus 4:7, note. Purified the altar — The altar, the work of the hands of sinful men, is viewed as sinful. In verse 11 it is sanctified, and now it is expiated with blood. A holy life cannot be maintained on the earth without the blood of atonement being constantly sprinkled upon it. 1 John 1:7, note. Sanctified — The sanctification by oil is a setting apart, the blood sanctification is a thorough purgation of the very nature. To make reconciliation upon it — The Hebrew is capable of this construction. But precisely the same words in Leviticus 1:4, are rendered to make atonement for him. The personified altar needs an atonement as much as its imperfect minister.

V. 17. His hide-Which in the offerings for the people was not burnt, but given to the priest.

Verse 17. The bullock — and his flesh — he burned — As commanded, Exodus 29:14. The priests were not to eat of their own sin-offering, (Leviticus 6:23,) to teach them that they could not make a proper atonement for their own sins, much less for the sins of others; though God was pleased to appoint their eating the sin-offering of others to be a sign to the people of God’s accepting their sacrifice; and their eating of the sin-offering is therefore called making atonement for them, or bearing their iniquity. Compare Leviticus 6:26, with 10:17, 19; see also Exodus 24:14; and Leviticus 19:7. His hide — Which, in the offerings for the people, was not burned, but given to the priest.

V. 18. He brought the ram-Hereby they gave to God the glory of this great honour which was put upon them: and also signified the devoting themselves and all their service to God.

Verse 18. He brought the ram — Hereby they gave God the glory of this great honour which was put upon them, and returned him praise for it; and also signified the devoting themselves and all their services to the honour of God. Thus Paul thanked Jesus Christ for putting him into the ministry, and devoted himself and all he had to his service.

18. Burnt offering — Leviticus 1:3, note. Laid their hands upon the head — This act cannot here signify the transmission of sin to the victim, for this had already been done in the sin offering. Verse 14. It is rather a typical ascription of glory to the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world. Whether the Hebrew confessed his sins, consecrated self, or gave thanks, he laid his hand upon the head of the victim. Thus, both in prayers and praises to God the Father, the believer lays his hand upon Jesus, the great Sacrifice. He is the medium through whom all acceptable worship is offered. “He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father.” See Leviticus 1:4, note.

V. 19. He-Either Moses, as in the following clause, or some other person by his appointment; which may be the reason why he is not named here, as he is to the sprinkling of the blood, which was an action more proper to the priest, and more essential to the sacrifice.

Verse 19. He — Either Moses, as in the following clause, or some other person by his appointment; which may be the reason why he is not named here, as he is to the sprinkling of the blood, which was an action more proper to the priest, and more essential to the sacrifice.

19. And Moses sprinkled the blood — In this consecration Moses performs all the functions of the priesthood. The first high priest was ordained by Moses as “mediator.” “In the history of the Church of Christ priests have often corrupted it, and laymen have often purified it. It is a melancholy fact that the great introducers of errors have not generally been the laity — they have had their share — but the priests, or the ministry, so called, have introduced far more errors, and said more subtle things to defend them, in one century, than all the laity have said for eighteen. The ministry of the Gospel is so very prone to magnify itself that it needs the diluting presence of other and resistant elements to keep it in order.”

21. In the sweet savour offerings the Hebrew came to present an offering which, as a sweet feast to God, was consumed upon his altar. In the sin offerings (verse 14) he came as a sinner, and his offering, as charged with sin, was cast out and burnt, not on the altar, but on the ground without the camp. Verse 17. In the one the offerer came as an accepted worshipper; in the other as a condemned sinner. Both parties may meet in Christ.

Verse 22. He brought the ram of consecration — This was brought for a peace-offering, Exodus 29:19, 31, 32. The order wherein these sacrifices were brought, was most rational; for first, a sacrifice for sin was offered, (verse 14,) as an acknowledgment of their unworthiness; then followed the whole burnt-offering, (verse 18,) which was a sign of their devoting themselves henceforth wholly to the service of God. After this followed the sacrifice of peace-offering, (verse 31,) which betokened their being so far in favour with God as to hold communion with him, and partake of his sacred feast. The blood of this was, in part, put on the priests, their ears, thumbs, and toes; and, in part, sprinkled on the altar, signifying that they were (so to speak) married to the altar, and must all their days attend upon it.

22. Consecration — This literally signifies filling; as meeting all requirements. Verses 27, 28; Numbers 3:3, note.

Verse 23. Put it upon the tip of Aaron’s right ear, &c.] See this significant ceremony explained in the note on Exodus 29:20. See Clarke’s note “Exodus 29:20”. Calmet remarks that the consecration of the high priest among the Romans bore a considerable resemblance to the consecration of the Jewish high priest. “The Roman priest, clothed with a garment of silk, his head covered with a crown of gold adorned with sacred ribbons, was conducted into a subterranean place, over which there was a floor of planks pierced through with many holes. On this floor they sacrificed a bullock, whose blood was freely poured out on the planks or floor, which running through the holes fell upon the priest, who stood under to receive this sacred aspersion, and who, in order to be completely covered with the blood, took care to present the whole of his body, his clothes, face, eyes, nose, lips, and even his tongue, to receive the drops of blood falling through the pierced floor above. Being completely covered with this sanguineous shower, he ascended from his subterranean place, and was acknowledged and adored by the people as Pontifex Maximus, or supreme high priest.” These rites, which bear a striking allusion to those used in the consecration of Aaron, and from which they were probably borrowed, and disguised by the introduction of their own superstitions, are particularly described by Aurelius Prudentius, in his poem entitled Romani Martyris Supplicium, from which I shall select those verses, the subject of which is given above, as the passage is curious, and the work not common. “Summus sacerdos nempe sub terram scrobe Acta in profundum consecrandus mergitur, Mire infulatus, festa vittis tempora

Nectens, corona tum repexus aurea,

Cinctu Gabino sericam fultus togam.

Tabulis superne strata texunt pulpita, Rimosa rari pegmatis compagibus,

Scindunt subinde vel terebrant aream,

Crebroque lignum perforant acumine,

Pateat minutis ut frequens hiatibus.—

Hic ut statuta est immolanda bellua,

Pectus sacrata dividunt venabulo,

Eructat amplum volnus undam sanguinis-&c. Tum per frequentes mille rimarum vias

Illapsus imber, tabidum rorem pluit,

Defossus intus quem sacerdos excipit,

Guttas ad omnes turpe subjectans caput, Et veste et omni putrefactus corpore:

Quin os supinat, obvias offert genas

Supponit aures, labra, nares objicit,

Oculos et ipsos perluit liquoribus,

Nec jam palato parcit, et linguam rigat, Donec cruorem totus atrum combibat.—

Procedit inde pontifex vlsu horridus-&c. Omnes salutant atque adorant eminus,

Vilis quod illum sanguls, et bos mortuus Fœdis latentem sub cavernis laverint.” Of these lines the reader will not be displeased to find the following poetical version:—

“For when, with sacred pomp and solemn state, Their great high priest the Romans consecrate, His silken vest in Gabine cincture bound, A festal fillet twines his temples round: And, while aloft the gorgeous mitre shines, His awful brow a golden crown confines. In a deep dyke, for mystic ritual made, He stands, surrounded with terrific shade. High o’er his holy head a stage they place, Adorn with paintings, and with statues grace; Then with keen piercers perforate the floor, Till thronging apertures admit no more. Thither the victim ox is now convey’d, To glut the vengeance of the thirsty blade. The sacred spear his sturdy throat divides, Down, instant streaming, gush the gory tides, Through countless crevices the gaping wood Distils corrupted dew and smoking blood; Drop after drop, in swift succession shed, Falls on the holy pontiff’s mitred head; While, to imbibe the sanctifying power, His outspread garments drink the crimson shower; Then on his back in reeking streams he lies, And laves in livid blood his lips and eyes; Bares every limb, exposes every pore,

To catch the virtue of the streaming gore; With open mouth expects the falling flood, Moistens his palate and his tongue with blood; Extends his ears to meet the sanguine rain, Nor lets a single drop descend in vain. Then from the gloomy cave comes forth to light, Bathed in black blood, and horrible to sight!— By the vile torrent, and the victim slain, In the dark cavern cleansed from mortal stain, Their priest, enveloped in atoning gore, With trembling awe surrounding throngs adore.” Prudentius was born about the middle of the fourth century, and was no doubt intimately acquainted with the circumstances he describes.

23. Blood… upon the tip of Aaron’s right ear — The consecration was not only general, but specific. The ear must be dedicated that it may be open to the divine voice; the hand and foot, that they may be efficient in sacred services. Eminent saints have practised self consecration by the enumeration of all their faculties and capacities in detail. See the Life of Dr. Payson.

“Welcome, welcome, dear Redeemer,

Welcome to this heart of mine;

Lord, I make a full surrender;

Every power and thought be thine,

Thine entirely, through eternal ages thine.”

25. The fat — The suet, Leviticus 3:3. The rump — The tail, Leviticus 3:9, note. The two kidneys — Leviticus 3:4, note. The burnt offering is evidently an object lesson inculcating the first great commandment, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,” etc. Hence the enumeration of all the parts: the head as an emblem of the thoughts; the legs, an emblem of the walk; the kidneys and the inwards, the constant and familiar symbol of the affections. The meaning of the fat may not be quite so obvious, but it doubtless represents the energy not of one limb or faculty, but the general health and vigour of the whole.

26. Oiled bread — Here are all the elements of the mincha, meat offering, or meal offering, (R.V.,) except the frankincense. Leviticus 2:1.

Verse 27. And waved them for a wave-offering] See the nature of this and the heave-offering in the note on Exodus 29:27. See Clarke’s note on “Exodus 29:27”.

27, 29. He put all upon Aaron’s hands — By this symbolism the priestly office was handed over to the candidates. Numbers 3:3, note. Wave offering — Leviticus 7:30, note. Moses’s part — The ram of consecration is treated as a peace offering. As Moses is acting in the capacity of a priest, the priestly portion belongs to him. This was the right shoulder. Leviticus 7:33, note.

27, 29. He put all upon Aaron’s hands — By this symbolism the priestly office was handed over to the candidates. Numbers 3:3, note. Wave offering — Leviticus 7:30, note. Moses’s part — The ram of consecration is treated as a peace offering. As Moses is acting in the capacity of a priest, the priestly portion belongs to him. This was the right shoulder. Leviticus 7:33, note.

V. 29. Moses’s part-Who at this time administering the priest’s office was to receive the priest’s wages.

Verses 29, 31. Moses’s part — Who, at this time administering the priest’s office, was to receive the priest’s wages. Boil the flesh — That which was left of the ram, and particularly the breast, which was said to be Moses’s part, (verse 29,) and by him was given to Aaron, that he and his sons might eat of it, in token that they, and only they, should have the right to do so for the future.

27, 29. He put all upon Aaron’s hands — By this symbolism the priestly office was handed over to the candidates. Numbers 3:3, note. Wave offering — Leviticus 7:30, note. Moses’s part — The ram of consecration is treated as a peace offering. As Moses is acting in the capacity of a priest, the priestly portion belongs to him. This was the right shoulder. Leviticus 7:33, note.

Verse 30. And Moses took-the blood-and sprinkled it upon Aaron, &c.] Thus we find that the high priest himself must be sprinkled with the blood of the sacrifice; and our blessed Lord, of whom Aaron was a type, was sprinkled with his own blood. 1. In his agony in the garden. 2. In his being crowned with thorns. 3. In the piercing of his hands and his feet. And, 4. In his side being pierced with the spear. All these were so many acts of atonement performed by the high priest.

Verses 29, 31. Moses’s part — Who, at this time administering the priest’s office, was to receive the priest’s wages. Boil the flesh — That which was left of the ram, and particularly the breast, which was said to be Moses’s part, (verse 29,) and by him was given to Aaron, that he and his sons might eat of it, in token that they, and only they, should have the right to do so for the future.

30. The anointing oil — For its elements see Exodus 30:23, 24. These spices beautifully typify the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit, which impart no acerbity of disposition, no acid tempers, but only gentle qualities and benevolent affections. And of the blood — Since both oil and blood prefigure, the first the consecration and the second the purifying of the soul, their union typifies the blending of the office of the atoning Saviour, who hath redeemed us by his blood, with that of the Holy Spirit, who transforms and sanctifies by his cleansing power. Hence, since under the Gospel all believers are dignified as priests, we are exhorted to “draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience,” by the blood of the Lamb, “and our bodies washed with pure water,” the symbol of purification by the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 10:22; see Leviticus 14:5, note. Sacrifice for sin alone does not suffice; there must be an inward cleansing by the Spirit. To pardon sin is to leave the house swept and garnished but unoccupied; to fill with the Holy Ghost is to put in a keeper. Upon Aaron, and upon his garments — The person and the garments were sprinkled to prefigure both inward and outward purification, holiness of heart and of life. When the blood and the oil could be connected together, then Aaron and his sons could be anointed and sanctified together. Thus Jesus set himself apart as a bleeding sacrifice for the purchase of the holy unction for all believers, made priests unto God. This explains John 17:19.

V. 31. The flesh-That which was left of the ram, and particularly the breast, which was said to be Moses’s part, Leviticus 8:29, and by him was given to Aaron, that he and his sons might eat of it, in token that they and only they should have the right to do so for the future.

Verses 29, 31. Moses’s part — Who, at this time administering the priest’s office, was to receive the priest’s wages. Boil the flesh — That which was left of the ram, and particularly the breast, which was said to be Moses’s part, (verse 29,) and by him was given to Aaron, that he and his sons might eat of it, in token that they, and only they, should have the right to do so for the future.

Ver. 31. Boil the flesh at the door of the tabernacle. The Septuagint reads, Boil the flesh in the court of the tabernacle. This appears the true reading, as Aaron and his sons could not go out of the court for seven days. The caldron probably stood near the door.

31, 32. Boil the flesh… eat… burn — In the peace offering the offerer and his friends were permitted to eat in a sacred banquet, and to burn with fire that which remained. Leviticus 7:15, note.

31, 32. Boil the flesh… eat… burn — In the peace offering the offerer and his friends were permitted to eat in a sacred banquet, and to burn with fire that which remained. Leviticus 7:15, note.

V. 33. Seven days-In each of which the same ceremonies were to be repeated, and other rites to be performed. He-Either God or Moses; for the words may be spoken by Moses, either in God’s name or in his own; Moses speaking of himself in the third person, which is very common in scripture.

Verse 33. For seven days shall he consecrate you.] This number was the number of perfection among the Hebrews; and the seven days’ consecration implied a perfect and full consecration to the sacerdotal office. See Clarke’s note on “Exodus 29:30”.

Verse 33. Seven days — In each of which the same ceremonies were to be repeated, and other rites to be performed. He — Either God or Moses; for the words may be spoken by Moses, either in God’s name or in his own.

33. Seven days shall he consecrate you — For the significance of the “seven” see Leviticus 4:6, note. The number was not in the Hebrew conception perfect till it had been repeated seven times. Men are not permitted to go forth into the priesthood at a step, without preparation and without thought. On each of the seven days the sin offering was made, (Exodus 29:36;) it is not said whether or not the other two offerings and the anointing were to be repeated. The rabbins assume anointing on each day. See verse 11, note.

34. Atonement — See Leviticus 1:4, note. The consecration or perfecting of Jesus for the office of high priest included suffering (Hebrews 2:10) but not expiation. Hebrews 7:26.

Verse 35. Abide at the door of the tabernacle — day and night — Apply yourselves assiduously to the service of God and the business of your consecration. Let nothing divert you from your sacred duty. Gospel ministers are compared to those that served at the altar, (1 Corinthians 9:13,) and being solemnly dedicated to God, ought not to depart from his service, but faithfully abide in it all their days; and they that do so, and continue labouring in the word and doctrine, ought to be counted worthy of double honour, double to that of the Old Testament priests.

35. Abide at the door of the tabernacle — The candidates were charged to remain within the sacred court during this probation. They could not enter the holy place or apartment of the priests because their consecration was not complete; they could not come in contact with unsanctified things without the enclosure, because their consecration was begun. “Here we have a fine type of Christ and his people feeding together upon the results of accomplished atonement. Aaron and his sons, having been anointed together on the ground of the shed blood, are here presented to our view as shut in within the precincts of the tabernacle seven days. A striking figure of the present position of Christ and his members during the entire period of this dispensation, shut in with God, and waiting for the manifestation of his glory.” See Leviticus 9:23. The charge of the Lord — This was the exact fulfilment of the commands found in Exodus

29. That ye die not — Obedience is the best preparation for service. The omission of any of the prescribed ceremonies, or the addition thereto of any human invention, would prove fatal. This strictness was designed to keep this important service free from any heathenish mixture. It was this verse that suggested to Charles Wesley that beautiful hymn now sung throughout Christendom,

“A charge to keep I have.”

For the peril attending the handling of sacred things see Numbers 4:18, note.

CONCLUDING NOTES.

(1.) In the Pontificale or Ceremoniale Romanum nearly all the ritualism of this chapter is found prescribed for the consecration of a modern Romish priest or bishop. The superficial observer of such a pageant in a papal cathedral might pronounce the ceremonial eminently scriptural. It would be, if Christianity had an order of priests set apart to make atonement for the sins of the people. But the Gospel has but one Priest, who, having finished his sacrifice in the outer court of this world, has entered into the holy of holies above to continue and complete the work of his office. Since “by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are [being] sanctified,” there is no more priestly work to be done on the earth, unless we assent to the blasphemous dogma of the “holy sacrifice of the mass,” in which, by the touch of a possibly drunken or lecherous priest, the body and blood of Christ are created to be offered anew for the sins of those who partake thereof. An institution is not scriptural simply because it has scriptural forms if those forms be destitute of authority. Hence the mitre, the robe, the girdle, the ephod of the Aaronic priesthood, exhumed from the sepulchre of Judaism to disfigure the simplicity of the Gospel, are a stupendous anachronism in the dispensation of the Holy Spirit, and an execrable imposition upon ignorance and weak-mindedness. To wear Aaron’s mitre is not to have Aaron’s succession, but to practice a worthless and an unmeaning ceremony; it is to bid men look for the living among the dead, for our High Priest is in the holy place, and God now seeketh not this mount nor that, but true Christians to worship him in spirit and in truth.

(2.) The Targum of Palestine has a valuable suggestion respecting the anointing of the tabernacle and its furniture, and the sanctification of the priestly vestments by sprinkling oil and blood, that they might be cleansed from any fraud or violence by which the contributor obtained their material, and from any unwillingness on the part of the giver, or improper motives prompting the gift. Jehovah cannot receive the wages of iniquity. Hence, even when no sin is known to inhere in the methods by which the gift was obtained, or in the motives, the holiness of God required their sanctification from all possible impurity of this kind before they could be acceptably used. Under the Gospel, our purest charities need and receive the blood of sprinkling before they can come up as a memorial before God. Luke 17:10.

(3.) The consecrated character imparted to the family of Aaron by this imposing and seven times repeated ceremonial did not need renewing. It was a perpetual inheritance, transmitted from father to son through all the following centuries. We do not read of its repetition in the case of any individual priest of Aaronic lineage. But where the line of succession was broken by Jeroboam’s intrusion of the lowest of the people into the sacred office, we find intimation of the use of a ritual of consecration which, from the idolatrous character of that king, was probably of Egyptian origin. 2 Chronicles 13:9.

(4.) Moses, who in the dedication of the tabernacle and the consecration of the order of priests had acted as a high priest, now divests himself of this office, provisionally assumed, and transfers it to his brother and his sons forever. Once only in the language of a later period (Psalm 99:6) is the term cohen, “priest,” applied to him, and even then it has reference to the extraordinary priestly functions discharged by him in the establishment of the Levitical ritual. The temporary priesthood of Moses was, like that of Melchizedek, apatwr, amhtwr, agenealoghtov, with no father nor mother nor genealogical record as the ground of his title. Hebrews 7:3.

(5.) According to the tradition of the Jews, the practice of anointing the high priest continued till the time of Josiah; then the holy anointing oil was hidden, and so lost. The succeeding high priests were consecrated only by investiture. See Leviticus 6:13, note.

(6.) “The selection and consecration of the high priest, the personal attributes and character required in the office, were all penetrated with a spiritual significance; as also were the places, instruments, robes, and offerings. As a natural and inevitable result, names, titles, figures, and symbolic phrases derived therefrom have been sown broadcast over the entire area of our religious literature. The most precious and significant names and official titles bestowed upon our blessed Lord came to us without modification from this source, as we learn from the epistle to the Hebrews.” — Bibliotheca Sacra.

(7.) Sceptics who aver that the Aaronic priesthood is a distorted copy of the Egyptian should note the following contrasts: (a) The Egyptian priests were a caste exempt from the civil law; the Hebrew priest, outside of his office, was a citizen in dress, and in all the duties of a layman he was subject to the same laws. (b) The Egyptian priests were a landed aristocracy, owning a third of the real estate of Egypt; the Hebrew priests were the tenants of a few cities, and they could never become rich in lands. (c) The Egyptian pontifex maximus was Pharaoh, the absolute monarch, and all the lower priests in some degree shared his authority; the Hebrew priests — Samuel and Eli excepted — were not allowed to exercise civil authority. (d) The Egyptian priests had an elaborate esoteric or secret theology, taught only to the initiated; the Hebrew priests were required diligently to teach the whole law to the people, any one of whom might become as learned and skilled a teacher as themselves. Chap. 10:11, note. (e) The Egyptians had many gods and as many orders of priests, each having a high priest; the Hebrews were monotheistic, with one order and one high priest. (f) The Egyptian priests were fed from the royal treasury; the Hebrew priests were dependent on the offerings of the people, which were precarious, and in times of religious decline, insufficient. (g) Kine, the chief sacrifice offered by the Hebrew priest, was to the Egyptian priest an object of his idolatrous worship. Leviticus 9:2, note.

V. 36. So Aaron and his sons did all things-And thus the covenant of life and peace, Malachi 2:5, was made with them. But after all the ceremonies used in their consecration, one point was reserved for the honour of Christ’s priesthood. They were made priests without an oath; but Christ with an oath, Hebrews 7:21. For neither these priests, nor their priesthood was to continue. But His is a perpetual and unchangeable priesthood.

Verse 36. So Aaron and his sons did] This chapter shows the exact fulfillment of the commands delivered to Moses, Ex. 29.; and consequently the complete preparation of Aaron and his sons to fill the awfully important office of priests and mediators between God and Israel, to offer sacrifices and make atonement for the sins of the people.

“Thus,” says Mr. Ainsworth, “the covenant of the priesthood was confirmed unto the tribe of Levi in Aaron and his sons, which covenant was life and peace, Malachi 2:5. But these are made priests without an oath; also, there were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death; and they served unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, offering gifts and sacrifices which could not make him who did the service perfect as pertaining to the conscience; for they were carnal ordinances imposed upon them till the time of reformation, that is, until the time of Christ, who was made a priest of God with an oath, and made surety of a better covenant established on better promises. And because he continueth for ever, he hath a priesthood which passeth not from one to another, and is a minister of the true tabernacle, which God pitched and not man. Not by the blood of bulls and of goats, but by his own blood, he entered once into the holy place, having found everlasting redemption for us; and is therefore able to save to the uttermost them who come unto God through him, as he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Taken in reference to his priesthood and sacrifice, all these rites and ceremonies are significant and edifying, but taken out of his relation, they would be as absurd and nugatory as the consecration of the Roman Pontifex Maximus, mentioned above by Prudentius.

LEVITICUS

Verse 36. So Aaron and his sons did all things — And thus the covenant of life and peace (Malachi 2:5) was made with them. But after all the ceremonies used in their consecration, one point was reserved for the honour of Christ’s priesthood. They were made priests without an oath; but Christ with an oath. Hebrews 7:21. For neither these priests nor their priesthood was to continue. But his is a perpetual and unchangeable priesthood.