Leviticus 8 Study Notes
General
True or False: Moses anointed Aaron by pouring the holy oil over his head.
Answer: True
This is true. After anointing the tabernacle, Moses poured oil over Aaron's head to consecrate him, that is, to set him apart for God's service (8:12). Psalm 133:2 remembers this oil flowing down over Aaron's beard. Being anointed marked someone as chosen by God for a special task. The titles Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) both mean the Anointed One: God anointed Jesus by the Holy Spirit, giving Him power (Acts 10:38), and Hebrews 1:9 says God anointed the Son above all His companions. Jesus is the true High Priest to whom Aaron's anointing pointed.
- Leviticus 8:12 (BSB)“He also poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him.”Moses pours the anointing oil on Aaron's head to consecrate him.
- Psalm 133:2 (BSB)“It is like fine oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron’s beard over the collar of his robes.”Recalls the precious oil running down Aaron's beard, showing how memorable this anointing was in Israel.
- Acts 10:38 (BSB)“how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.”Says God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power, the reality behind the title Christ, the Anointed One.
- Hebrews 1:9 (BSB)“You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You above Your companions with the oil of joy.””Applies to the Son an anointing by God above all His companions.
Theological
True or False: Moses consecrated Aaron by pouring the anointing oil over his head.
Answer: True
This is true. Having anointed the sanctuary, Moses poured oil over Aaron's head to consecrate him (8:12), an anointing memorialized in Psalm 133:2. Anointing designated a person as set apart by God for office. The titles Messiah and Christ mean the Anointed One, and the New Testament presents Jesus as anointed by God with the Spirit and power (Acts 10:38; Hebrews 1:9), the true High Priest whom Aaron's anointing foreshadowed.
- Leviticus 8:12 (BSB)“He also poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him.”Moses pours the anointing oil on Aaron's head to consecrate him.
- Psalm 133:2 (BSB)“It is like fine oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron’s beard over the collar of his robes.”Recalls the precious oil running down Aaron's beard, showing how memorable this anointing was in Israel.
- Acts 10:38 (BSB)“how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.”Says God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power, the reality behind the title Christ, the Anointed One.
- Hebrews 1:9 (BSB)“You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You above Your companions with the oil of joy.””Applies to the Son an anointing by God above all His companions.
General
How many times did Moses sprinkle the altar with anointing oil (8:11)?
Answer: Seven times
Moses anointed every part of the tabernacle and its furnishings to consecrate them, meaning to set them apart as holy for God's use (8:10). He sprinkled the altar with oil seven times and also anointed its tools and the washbasin on its stand (8:11). God had commanded this anointing so that the tabernacle and altar would be holy (Exodus 40:9-10; 30:26-29). The number seven often marks completeness in Scripture, and here it emphasizes that the altar was fully set apart for God.
- Leviticus 8:10-11 (BSB)“Next, Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and everything in it; and so he consecrated them. He sprinkled some of the oil on the altar seven times, anointing the altar and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand, to consecrate them.”Moses anoints the tabernacle and sprinkles oil on the altar repeatedly to consecrate it.
- Exodus 40:9-10 (BSB)“Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it along with all its furnishings, and it shall be holy. Anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils; consecrate the altar, and it shall be most holy.”God had commanded that the tabernacle and altar be anointed so they would be holy and most holy.
- Exodus 30:26-29 (BSB)“Use this oil to anoint the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony, the table and all its utensils, the lampstand and its utensils, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand. You are to consecrate them so that they will be most holy. Whatever touches them shall be holy.”Lists the tent, altar, and basin among the things to be anointed so that they would be most holy.
Theological
How many times was the altar sprinkled with the anointing oil (8:11)?
Answer: Seven times
Moses consecrated the tabernacle and its furnishings with the anointing oil (8:10), sprinkling the altar sevenfold and anointing its vessels and the washbasin on its stand (8:11), in fulfillment of the commands of Exodus 40:9-10 and 30:26-29. The sevenfold sprinkling underscores the complete consecration of the altar, the place where atonement would be made.
- Leviticus 8:10-11 (BSB)“Next, Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and everything in it; and so he consecrated them. He sprinkled some of the oil on the altar seven times, anointing the altar and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand, to consecrate them.”Moses anoints the tabernacle and sprinkles oil on the altar repeatedly to consecrate it.
- Exodus 40:9-10 (BSB)“Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it along with all its furnishings, and it shall be holy. Anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils; consecrate the altar, and it shall be most holy.”God had commanded that the tabernacle and altar be anointed so they would be holy and most holy.
- Exodus 30:26-29 (BSB)“Use this oil to anoint the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony, the table and all its utensils, the lampstand and its utensils, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand. You are to consecrate them so that they will be most holy. Whatever touches them shall be holy.”Lists the tent, altar, and basin among the things to be anointed so that they would be most holy.
General
Why did Moses put the bull's blood on the altar's horns (8:15)?
Answer: To cleanse the altar and set it apart as the place where atonement would be made
Moses applied blood to the altar's four horns to purify it, and the remaining blood went at its base, consecrating the altar so it could serve as the place of atonement (8:15). Atonement means the covering or removal of sin so that people can be reconciled to God. Even the altar, made by human hands and standing among a sinful people, had to be cleansed before it could be used (Exodus 29:36-37). Hebrews explains that nearly everything under the law was purified by blood, and that these earthly copies pointed to the better sacrifice of Christ (Hebrews 9:21-23).
- Leviticus 8:15 (BSB)“Moses slaughtered the bull, took some of the blood, and applied it with his finger to all four horns of the altar, purifying the altar. He poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar and consecrated it so that atonement could be made on it.”Moses applies the bull's blood to the horns of the altar and pours the rest at its base.
- Exodus 29:36-37 (BSB)“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. 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.”God had commanded that the altar be purified by atonement and consecrated so that it would become most holy.
- Hebrews 9:21-23 (BSB)“In the same way, he sprinkled with blood the tabernacle and all the vessels used in worship. According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. So it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.”Explains that the earthly sanctuary and its vessels were purified with blood, pointing to the better sacrifice of Christ.
Theological
What purpose does 8:15 give for applying the bull's blood to the altar's horns?
Answer: To purify and consecrate the altar as the place of atonement
Blood applied to the horns purified the altar, and the rest poured at its base consecrated it to serve as the place of atonement (8:15), carrying out Exodus 29:36-37. The altar itself required cleansing before it could serve as the place of atonement among a sinful people. Hebrews explains that under the law almost everything was purified by blood, and that these earthly copies anticipated the better sacrifice by which Christ purified the heavenly things (Hebrews 9:21-23).
- Leviticus 8:15 (BSB)“Moses slaughtered the bull, took some of the blood, and applied it with his finger to all four horns of the altar, purifying the altar. He poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar and consecrated it so that atonement could be made on it.”Moses applies the bull's blood to the horns of the altar and pours the rest at its base.
- Exodus 29:36-37 (BSB)“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. 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.”God had commanded that the altar be purified by atonement and consecrated so that it would become most holy.
- Hebrews 9:21-23 (BSB)“In the same way, he sprinkled with blood the tabernacle and all the vessels used in worship. According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. So it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.”Explains that the earthly sanctuary and its vessels were purified with blood, pointing to the better sacrifice of Christ.
General
Where on the bodies of the priests did Moses put blood from the ordination ram (8:23-24)?
Answer: On the right ear, right thumb, and right big toe
Moses applied the ram's blood to the right earlobe, the right thumb, and the right big toe of Aaron and then of each of his sons (8:23-24), exactly as God had commanded in Exodus 29:20. The chapter does not explain why these three places were chosen. What it makes plain is that the blood of the sacrifice marked the priests themselves, not only the altar, as belonging to God before they could serve Him. In a similar way, believers today are called a priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) and are urged to give their whole bodies to God (Romans 12:1).
- Leviticus 8:23-24 (BSB)“Moses slaughtered the ram and took some of its blood and put it on Aaron’s right earlobe, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. Moses also presented Aaron’s sons and put some of the blood on their right earlobes, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. Then he splattered the blood on all sides of the altar.”Moses applies blood from the ram of ordination to three points on the right side of Aaron and his sons.
- Exodus 29:20 (BSB)“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. Splatter the remaining blood on all sides of the altar.”God's earlier instruction specified the same three places for the blood of the ordination ram.
- Romans 12:1 (BSB)“Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”Calls believers to offer their bodies to God as living sacrifices, a whole-life dedication.
- 1 Peter 2:9 (BSB)“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”Describes all believers as a royal priesthood, set apart to proclaim God's virtues.
Theological
To what parts of the priests' bodies did Moses apply the blood of the ordination ram (8:23-24)?
Answer: Right earlobe, right thumb, and right big toe
The blood of the ordination ram was applied to the right earlobe, right thumb, and right big toe of Aaron and of his sons (8:23-24), as Exodus 29:20 required. The chapter does not interpret the three points; what it makes plain is that the sacrificial blood marked the priests' own persons, not only the altar, as consecrated before they could minister. The new covenant speaks of all believers as a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) called to present themselves wholly to God as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1).
- Leviticus 8:23-24 (BSB)“Moses slaughtered the ram and took some of its blood and put it on Aaron’s right earlobe, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. Moses also presented Aaron’s sons and put some of the blood on their right earlobes, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. Then he splattered the blood on all sides of the altar.”Moses applies blood from the ram of ordination to three points on the right side of Aaron and his sons.
- Exodus 29:20 (BSB)“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. Splatter the remaining blood on all sides of the altar.”God's earlier instruction specified the same three places for the blood of the ordination ram.
- Romans 12:1 (BSB)“Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”Calls believers to offer their bodies to God as living sacrifices, a whole-life dedication.
- 1 Peter 2:9 (BSB)“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”Describes all believers as a royal priesthood, set apart to proclaim God's virtues.
General
Which part of the ordination ram was Moses' own portion (8:29)?
Answer: The breast
The ordination ram's breast was waved before the LORD and given to Moses as his portion (8:29), as Exodus 29:26 had directed. The fat and the right thigh, together with the bread, were placed in the priests' hands, waved, and then burned on the altar (8:25-28). In later offerings the breast would go to the priests who served at the altar (Leviticus 7:31), but at this ordination Moses himself was the one officiating, and the breast was given to him.
- Leviticus 8:29 (BSB)“He also took the breast—Moses’ portion of the ram of ordination—and waved it before the LORD as a wave offering, as the LORD had commanded him.”Moses waves the breast of the ordination ram, which the text calls his share.
- Exodus 29:26 (BSB)“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.”God's earlier instruction told Moses to wave the breast of the ordination ram and take it as his portion.
- Leviticus 7:31 (BSB)“The priest is to burn the fat on the altar, but the breast belongs to Aaron and his sons.”In the regular peace offering the breast belonged to Aaron and his sons, the officiating priests.
Theological
Which part of the ordination ram does 8:29 assign to Moses as his portion?
Answer: The breast
The ordination ram's breast was waved and assigned to Moses (8:29), fulfilling Exodus 29:26, whereas the fat portions, the right thigh, and the bread were waved in the priests' hands and then burned (8:25-28). Ordinarily the peace offering's breast was the officiating priests' share (Leviticus 7:31); at the ordination Moses, who officiated in installing Aaron, received it instead.
- Leviticus 8:29 (BSB)“He also took the breast—Moses’ portion of the ram of ordination—and waved it before the LORD as a wave offering, as the LORD had commanded him.”Moses waves the breast of the ordination ram, which the text calls his share.
- Exodus 29:26 (BSB)“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.”God's earlier instruction told Moses to wave the breast of the ordination ram and take it as his portion.
- Leviticus 7:31 (BSB)“The priest is to burn the fat on the altar, but the breast belongs to Aaron and his sons.”In the regular peace offering the breast belonged to Aaron and his sons, the officiating priests.
General
What two things did Moses sprinkle over the new priests and their clothing (8:30)?
Answer: Anointing oil and blood from the altar
Moses sprinkled both anointing oil and blood from the altar over Aaron and each of the other priests, and over their clothing as well, consecrating them all (8:30), just as Exodus 29:21 had commanded. The blood spoke of sin atoned for, and the oil spoke of being set apart for God. The New Testament describes believers in a similar way: set apart by the Holy Spirit, with Jesus' blood sprinkled on them (1 Peter 1:2).
- Leviticus 8:30 (BSB)“Next, Moses took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood that was on the altar and sprinkled them on Aaron and his garments, and on his sons and their garments. So he consecrated Aaron and his garments, as well as Aaron’s sons and their garments.”Moses sprinkles oil and altar blood on the priests and their garments to consecrate them.
- Exodus 29:21 (BSB)“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.”God's earlier instruction called for this same sprinkling of altar blood and anointing oil on Aaron, his sons, and their garments.
- 1 Peter 1:2 (BSB)“according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by His blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.”Describes believers as set apart by the Spirit and sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ.
Theological
With what did Moses sprinkle Aaron, his sons, and the priestly vestments to complete their consecration (8:30)?
Answer: Anointing oil and blood from the altar
Moses sprinkled the anointing oil together with blood taken from the altar upon Aaron and the other priests alike, vestments included, thereby consecrating them (8:30), in accordance with Exodus 29:21. Blood of atonement and oil of consecration are joined in the priests' sanctification, a pattern echoed when Peter describes the elect as set apart by the Spirit to obey Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with His blood (1 Peter 1:2).
- Leviticus 8:30 (BSB)“Next, Moses took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood that was on the altar and sprinkled them on Aaron and his garments, and on his sons and their garments. So he consecrated Aaron and his garments, as well as Aaron’s sons and their garments.”Moses sprinkles oil and altar blood on the priests and their garments to consecrate them.
- Exodus 29:21 (BSB)“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.”God's earlier instruction called for this same sprinkling of altar blood and anointing oil on Aaron, his sons, and their garments.
- 1 Peter 1:2 (BSB)“according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by His blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.”Describes believers as set apart by the Spirit and sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ.
General
When the whole community had gathered, what did Moses tell them before the ordination of the priests began (8:4-5)?
Answer: That everything about to happen was what the LORD had ordered
Before Aaron and his sons were ordained (formally set apart for the work of priests), Moses told the gathered people that the whole ceremony was being done at the LORD's command (8:4-5). Aaron did not make himself a priest, and Moses did not invent the ritual. Again and again the chapter repeats that Moses acted just as God had told him, and it ends by noting that the new priests carried out every instruction God gave through Moses (8:36). The New Testament says the same about Jesus: He did not appoint Himself as High Priest but was appointed by the Father, as Aaron had been (Hebrews 5:4-5).
- Leviticus 8:4-5 (BSB)“So Moses did as the LORD had commanded him, and the assembly gathered at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. And Moses said to them, “This is what the LORD has commanded to be done.””Moses gathers the people and tells them the ceremony follows God's instruction.
- Leviticus 8:36 (BSB)“So Aaron and his sons did everything the LORD had commanded through Moses.”The chapter closes by saying Aaron and his sons carried out everything God commanded through Moses.
- Hebrews 5:4-5 (BSB)“No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest, but He was called by the One who said to Him: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.””Says no one takes the high priestly honor for himself but must be called by God as Aaron was, and that Christ too was appointed by the Father.
- Hebrews 3:5-6 (BSB)“Now Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be spoken later. But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are His house, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope of which we boast.”Commends Moses as a faithful servant in God's house, the faithfulness this chapter displays, and contrasts him with Christ the faithful Son.
- Hebrews 8:5 (BSB)“The place where they serve is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.””Shows that Moses had to follow God's pattern exactly because the earthly sanctuary copied heavenly realities.
Theological
What did Moses declare to the assembled congregation at the outset of the priestly ordination (8:4-5)?
Answer: That the entire rite was being performed at the LORD's command
Moses opened the ordination by declaring to the congregation that the rite was divinely commanded (8:4-5), and the chapter repeatedly punctuates each step with the refrain that Moses acted as the LORD directed, concluding that the priests carried out every instruction given through Moses (8:36). The priesthood was not self-appointed and its worship was not humanly devised. Hebrews applies the same principle to Christ, who did not take the high priestly office upon Himself but received the office by the Father's appointment, as Aaron had (Hebrews 5:4-5), while Moses proved a faithful servant within God's household (Hebrews 3:5).
- Leviticus 8:4-5 (BSB)“So Moses did as the LORD had commanded him, and the assembly gathered at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. And Moses said to them, “This is what the LORD has commanded to be done.””Moses gathers the people and tells them the ceremony follows God's instruction.
- Leviticus 8:36 (BSB)“So Aaron and his sons did everything the LORD had commanded through Moses.”The chapter closes by saying Aaron and his sons carried out everything God commanded through Moses.
- Hebrews 5:4-5 (BSB)“No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest, but He was called by the One who said to Him: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.””Says no one takes the high priestly honor for himself but must be called by God as Aaron was, and that Christ too was appointed by the Father.
- Hebrews 3:5-6 (BSB)“Now Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be spoken later. But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are His house, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope of which we boast.”Commends Moses as a faithful servant in God's house, the faithfulness this chapter displays, and contrasts him with Christ the faithful Son.
- Hebrews 8:5 (BSB)“The place where they serve is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.””Shows that Moses had to follow God's pattern exactly because the earthly sanctuary copied heavenly realities.
General
What were the priests told to do with any meat and bread left over from the ordination meal (8:32)?
Answer: Burn it up
The new priests were to boil the meat of the ordination ram and eat it at the entrance of the tent with the bread from the basket (8:31), and anything left over had to be burned (8:32). This follows God's instructions in Exodus 29:33-34. These were the offerings by which atonement had been made for the priests' ordination, so the meal belonged to the priests alone; because the food was holy, no outsider could eat it, and nothing left over could be kept for later.
- Leviticus 8:31-32 (BSB)“And Moses said to Aaron and his sons, “Boil the meat at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and eat it there with the bread that is in the basket of ordination offerings, as I commanded, saying, ‘Aaron and his sons are to eat it.’ Then you must burn up the remainder of the meat and bread.”Moses instructs the priests to boil and eat the ordination meat with the bread and burn what remains.
- Exodus 29:33 (BSB)“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.”Explains that the priests alone ate these things because atonement had been made by them for their ordination.
- Exodus 29:34 (BSB)“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.”Required any leftover ordination meat or bread to be burned rather than eaten, because it was sacred.
Theological
What does 8:32 require for any remaining meat and bread from the ordination meal?
Answer: It was to be burned
The priests ate the boiled flesh of the ordination ram with the bread of the basket at the tent entrance (8:31), and whatever remained was to be burned (8:32), in keeping with Exodus 29:33-34. Only the priests could eat the offerings that had made atonement at their ordination; being holy, these were barred to outsiders, and the remainder could not be kept or eaten afterward.
- Leviticus 8:31-32 (BSB)“And Moses said to Aaron and his sons, “Boil the meat at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and eat it there with the bread that is in the basket of ordination offerings, as I commanded, saying, ‘Aaron and his sons are to eat it.’ Then you must burn up the remainder of the meat and bread.”Moses instructs the priests to boil and eat the ordination meat with the bread and burn what remains.
- Exodus 29:33 (BSB)“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.”Explains that the priests alone ate these things because atonement had been made by them for their ordination.
- Exodus 29:34 (BSB)“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.”Required any leftover ordination meat or bread to be burned rather than eaten, because it was sacred.
General
Who placed their hands on the head of the sin-offering bull (8:14)?
Answer: Aaron together with his sons
Aaron and his sons placed their hands on the bull's head (8:14). A sin offering was a sacrifice that dealt with sin and made atonement, meaning it covered sin so that sinners could be right with God. By laying their hands on the animal, the men about to become priests identified themselves with it: before they could offer sacrifices for anyone else, they needed atonement for their own sins. Hebrews says every earthly high priest needed sacrifices for himself and also for the people (Hebrews 5:1-3). Jesus is different. He is holy and sinless, so He never needed a sacrifice for Himself (Hebrews 7:26-27).
- Leviticus 8:14 (BSB)“Moses then brought the bull near for the sin offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head.”The bull for the sin offering is brought, and the priests-to-be identify themselves with it.
- Hebrews 5:1-3 (BSB)“Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided, since he himself is subject to weakness. That is why he is obligated to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.”Says every human high priest had to offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as the people's.
- Hebrews 7:26-27 (BSB)“Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself.”Shows that Christ, holy and undefiled, has no need to offer first for His own sins as the other high priests did.
Theological
Who placed hands on the sin-offering bull's head at the ordination (8:14)?
Answer: Aaron together with his sons
Aaron and his sons together placed their hands on the sin-offering bull's head (8:14), identifying themselves with the substitute that died for their sin. The priests-elect required atonement for themselves before they could mediate for others, which Hebrews marks as a defining weakness of the Levitical priesthood (Hebrews 5:1-3). Christ, by contrast, is holy, innocent, and undefiled, and so needed no offering on His own behalf before offering Himself once for all (Hebrews 7:26-27).
- Leviticus 8:14 (BSB)“Moses then brought the bull near for the sin offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head.”The bull for the sin offering is brought, and the priests-to-be identify themselves with it.
- Hebrews 5:1-3 (BSB)“Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided, since he himself is subject to weakness. That is why he is obligated to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.”Says every human high priest had to offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as the people's.
- Hebrews 7:26-27 (BSB)“Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself.”Shows that Christ, holy and undefiled, has no need to offer first for His own sins as the other high priests did.
General
After Moses brought the priests-to-be forward, what did he do to them before dressing them (8:6)?
Answer: He washed them
The first thing Moses did was wash Aaron and the others being ordained (8:6), exactly as God had instructed in Exodus 29:4. Only after being cleansed were they clothed and anointed. The washing showed that anyone who serves a holy God must first be made clean. The New Testament uses the same picture for believers: through Jesus our great Priest, we may come near to God with hearts cleansed and bodies washed (Hebrews 10:22).
- Leviticus 8:6 (BSB)“Then Moses presented Aaron and his sons and washed them with water.”Moses begins the ordination by washing Aaron and his sons.
- Exodus 29:4 (BSB)“Then present Aaron and his sons at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water.”God's earlier instruction for the ordination commanded this very washing at the entrance to the tent.
- Hebrews 10:22 (BSB)“let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”Uses the image of bodies washed with pure water for believers who draw near to God through Christ.
Theological
What preparatory act did Moses perform on the priests-elect before vesting them (8:6)?
Answer: Washing them with water
The ordination began with a washing (8:6), carrying out the command of Exodus 29:4. Cleansing preceded vesting and anointing, signifying that those who minister before a holy God must first be purified. Hebrews takes up the imagery for the new covenant worshiper, who draws near through Christ with a heart sprinkled clean and a body washed (Hebrews 10:22).
- Leviticus 8:6 (BSB)“Then Moses presented Aaron and his sons and washed them with water.”Moses begins the ordination by washing Aaron and his sons.
- Exodus 29:4 (BSB)“Then present Aaron and his sons at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water.”God's earlier instruction for the ordination commanded this very washing at the entrance to the tent.
- Hebrews 10:22 (BSB)“let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”Uses the image of bodies washed with pure water for believers who draw near to God through Christ.
General
How long were the priests to stay at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting during their ordination (8:33-35)?
Answer: Seven days, day and night
The ordination lasted seven days, and during that time the priests had to stay at the entrance of the tent day and night, obeying the LORD's charge, or else they would die (8:33-35). God had set this seven-day period in Exodus 29:35. The ceremony was serious because they were sinful men being brought near to a holy God. Hebrews contrasts them with Jesus: the law appointed weak men, and death kept each of them from continuing, but Jesus lives forever and has been made a perfect High Priest (Hebrews 7:23-25, 28).
- Leviticus 8:33 (BSB)“You must not go outside the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for seven days, until the days of your ordination are complete; for it will take seven days to ordain you.”Moses tells the priests the ordination takes seven days and they must not leave the tent entrance.
- Leviticus 8:35 (BSB)“You must remain at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting day and night for seven days and keep the LORD’s charge so that you will not die, for this is what I have been commanded.””The priests must stay day and night and keep God's charge or die.
- Exodus 29:35 (BSB)“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.”God had set the length of the ordination at seven days.
- Hebrews 7:23-25 (BSB)“Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office. But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.”Contrasts the many mortal priests with Jesus, whose permanent priesthood saves completely.
- Hebrews 7:28 (BSB)“For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.”Says the law appointed weak men as high priests, but the Son has been made perfect forever.
Theological
For what period were the priests required to remain at the tent entrance to complete their ordination (8:33-35)?
Answer: Seven days, day and night
The ordination required seven days, during which the priests were to remain at the tent entrance day and night, keeping the LORD's charge on pain of death (8:33-35), as Exodus 29:35 had appointed. The gravity of the rite reflects sinful men being brought near to the holy God. Hebrews sets this weak, mortal priesthood against the Son, whose priesthood is permanent because He lives forever and who, appointed by God's oath, is perfected forever (Hebrews 7:23-25, 28).
- Leviticus 8:33 (BSB)“You must not go outside the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for seven days, until the days of your ordination are complete; for it will take seven days to ordain you.”Moses tells the priests the ordination takes seven days and they must not leave the tent entrance.
- Leviticus 8:35 (BSB)“You must remain at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting day and night for seven days and keep the LORD’s charge so that you will not die, for this is what I have been commanded.””The priests must stay day and night and keep God's charge or die.
- Exodus 29:35 (BSB)“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.”God had set the length of the ordination at seven days.
- Hebrews 7:23-25 (BSB)“Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office. But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.”Contrasts the many mortal priests with Jesus, whose permanent priesthood saves completely.
- Hebrews 7:28 (BSB)“For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.”Says the law appointed weak men as high priests, but the Son has been made perfect forever.
General
What did Moses do with the remaining parts of the sin-offering bull, such as its skin and meat (8:17)?
Answer: He burned them outside the camp
The fat was burned on the altar (8:16), but the remaining parts of the bull, including its skin, meat, and waste, were taken out and burned beyond the edge of the camp (8:17), just as God had commanded in Exodus 29:14. The sin offering was carried away from the place where God's people lived. Hebrews connects the burning of sin-offering bodies outside the camp to Jesus, who suffered outside the gate of Jerusalem to make His people holy through His own blood (Hebrews 13:11-13).
- Leviticus 8:17 (BSB)“But the bull with its hide, flesh, and dung he burned outside the camp, as the LORD had commanded him.”The remains of the sin-offering bull are burned away from the camp.
- Exodus 29:14 (BSB)“But burn the flesh of the bull and its hide and dung outside the camp; it is a sin offering.”God's earlier instruction called for the bull's flesh, hide, and dung to be burned outside the camp as a sin offering.
- Hebrews 13:11-13 (BSB)“Although the high priest brings the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, the bodies are burned outside the camp. And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate, to sanctify the people by His own blood. Therefore let us go to Him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace He bore.”Connects the burning of sin-offering bodies outside the camp with Jesus suffering outside the city gate to sanctify His people.
Theological
What happened to what was left of the sin-offering bull once the fat had been burned (8:16-17)?
Answer: It was burned away from the camp
While the fat portions went up on the altar (8:16), the skin, flesh, and waste were taken out and burned beyond the camp's edge (8:17), as Exodus 29:14 prescribed. Hebrews draws out the typology: as the carcasses of sin offerings were burned beyond the camp, so Jesus suffered beyond the gate of Jerusalem to make His people holy through His blood, and believers go out to Him, sharing in His disgrace (Hebrews 13:11-13).
- Leviticus 8:17 (BSB)“But the bull with its hide, flesh, and dung he burned outside the camp, as the LORD had commanded him.”The remains of the sin-offering bull are burned away from the camp.
- Exodus 29:14 (BSB)“But burn the flesh of the bull and its hide and dung outside the camp; it is a sin offering.”God's earlier instruction called for the bull's flesh, hide, and dung to be burned outside the camp as a sin offering.
- Hebrews 13:11-13 (BSB)“Although the high priest brings the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, the bodies are burned outside the camp. And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate, to sanctify the people by His own blood. Therefore let us go to Him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace He bore.”Connects the burning of sin-offering bodies outside the camp with Jesus suffering outside the city gate to sanctify His people.
General
What did Moses place in Aaron's breastpiece as he dressed him (8:8)?
Answer: The Urim and Thummim
As Moses dressed Aaron in the high priest's clothing, he put the Urim and Thummim into the breastpiece (8:8), and he fixed a gold plate to Aaron's turban (8:9). The Urim and Thummim were objects the priest used to seek God's decisions for Israel (Numbers 27:21), and they rested over Aaron's heart when he came before the LORD (Exodus 28:30). The gold plate was engraved HOLY TO THE LORD, so that the people's gifts would be accepted (Exodus 28:36-38). Every piece of Aaron's clothing showed that he stood before God on behalf of the people.
- Leviticus 8:8-9 (BSB)“Then he put the breastpiece on him and placed the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece. Moses also put the turban on Aaron’s head and set the gold plate, the holy diadem, on the front of the turban, as the LORD had commanded him.”Moses fits Aaron with the breastpiece and turban, completing the high priestly garments.
- Exodus 28:30 (BSB)“And place the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece of judgment, so that they will also be over Aaron’s heart whenever he comes before the LORD. Aaron will continually carry the judgment of the sons of Israel over his heart before the LORD.”Explains that the Urim and Thummim were to rest over Aaron's heart as he bore Israel's judgment before the LORD.
- Numbers 27:21 (BSB)“He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who will seek counsel for him before the LORD by the judgment of the Urim. At his command, he and all the Israelites with him—the entire congregation—will go out and come in.””Shows the Urim used by the priest to seek God's counsel for the leader of Israel.
- Exodus 28:36-38 (BSB)“You are to make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD. Fasten to it a blue cord to mount it on the turban; it shall be on the front of the turban. And it will be worn on Aaron’s forehead, so that he may bear the iniquity of the holy things that the sons of Israel consecrate with regard to all their holy gifts. It shall always be on his forehead, so that they may be acceptable before the LORD.”Describes the gold plate engraved HOLY TO THE LORD, worn so the people's gifts would be acceptable.
Theological
What did Moses set within Aaron's breastpiece during the vesting (8:8)?
Answer: The Urim and Thummim
In the vesting Moses set the Urim and Thummim within the breastpiece (8:8) and fixed the golden plate, the sacred diadem, to the turban's front (8:9). The Urim and Thummim were the means by which the priest sought God's judgment for Israel (Numbers 27:21), carried over Aaron's heart in the LORD's presence (Exodus 28:30), and the engraved plate marked him as bearing the guilt attached to the people's holy gifts so they would be accepted (Exodus 28:36-38). The garments display the high priest's representative, mediatorial office.
- Leviticus 8:8-9 (BSB)“Then he put the breastpiece on him and placed the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece. Moses also put the turban on Aaron’s head and set the gold plate, the holy diadem, on the front of the turban, as the LORD had commanded him.”Moses fits Aaron with the breastpiece and turban, completing the high priestly garments.
- Exodus 28:30 (BSB)“And place the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece of judgment, so that they will also be over Aaron’s heart whenever he comes before the LORD. Aaron will continually carry the judgment of the sons of Israel over his heart before the LORD.”Explains that the Urim and Thummim were to rest over Aaron's heart as he bore Israel's judgment before the LORD.
- Numbers 27:21 (BSB)“He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who will seek counsel for him before the LORD by the judgment of the Urim. At his command, he and all the Israelites with him—the entire congregation—will go out and come in.””Shows the Urim used by the priest to seek God's counsel for the leader of Israel.
- Exodus 28:36-38 (BSB)“You are to make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD. Fasten to it a blue cord to mount it on the turban; it shall be on the front of the turban. And it will be worn on Aaron’s forehead, so that he may bear the iniquity of the holy things that the sons of Israel consecrate with regard to all their holy gifts. It shall always be on his forehead, so that they may be acceptable before the LORD.”Describes the gold plate engraved HOLY TO THE LORD, worn so the people's gifts would be acceptable.
General
True or False: Moses burned the whole ram of the burnt offering on the altar, keeping none of its meat to eat.
Answer: True
This is true. Moses cut up the ram, washed the inner parts and legs, and offered up the entire animal in smoke on the altar, a whole burnt offering pleasing to the LORD (8:20-21). This matches the general law of the burnt offering, in which all of the animal went up to God (Leviticus 1:9). The burnt offering pictured complete dedication. Christ gave Himself up completely as a fragrant offering to God (Ephesians 5:2), and those He has saved are called to offer their whole lives to God in return (Romans 12:1).
- Leviticus 8:20-21 (BSB)“He cut the ram into pieces and burned the head, the pieces, and the fat. He washed the entrails and legs with water and burned the entire ram on the altar as a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the LORD, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.”Moses cuts up the ram of the burnt offering and burns all of it on the altar.
- Leviticus 1:9 (BSB)“The entrails and legs must be washed with water, and the priest shall burn all of it on the altar as a burnt offering, a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.”The general law of the burnt offering required the priest to burn all of the animal on the altar.
- Ephesians 5:2 (BSB)“and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.”Describes Christ's giving of Himself as a fragrant offering to God, the fulfillment of the burnt offering's pleasing aroma.
- Romans 12:1 (BSB)“Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”Calls believers, in response to God's mercy, to present their whole selves as living sacrifices.
Theological
True or False: The ram of the burnt offering was burned entirely upon the altar, with no portion reserved as food.
Answer: True
This is true. After the ram was cut up and its entrails and legs washed, the whole of it was burned upon the altar, a burnt offering and pleasing aroma (8:20-21), in keeping with the law of the burnt offering (Leviticus 1:9). The whole burnt offering signifies total consecration to God, fulfilled in Christ's self-offering as a fragrant sacrifice (Ephesians 5:2) and answered in the believer's grateful presentation of himself as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1).
- Leviticus 8:20-21 (BSB)“He cut the ram into pieces and burned the head, the pieces, and the fat. He washed the entrails and legs with water and burned the entire ram on the altar as a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the LORD, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.”Moses cuts up the ram of the burnt offering and burns all of it on the altar.
- Leviticus 1:9 (BSB)“The entrails and legs must be washed with water, and the priest shall burn all of it on the altar as a burnt offering, a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.”The general law of the burnt offering required the priest to burn all of the animal on the altar.
- Ephesians 5:2 (BSB)“and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.”Describes Christ's giving of Himself as a fragrant offering to God, the fulfillment of the burnt offering's pleasing aroma.
- Romans 12:1 (BSB)“Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”Calls believers, in response to God's mercy, to present their whole selves as living sacrifices.