Leviticus 9 Study Notes
General
What did Aaron do toward the people after completing the sin, burnt, and peace offerings (9:22)?
Answer: He raised his hands and pronounced a blessing on them
Once the sacrifices were finished, Aaron raised his hands over the people and pronounced a blessing, then came down from the altar (9:22). Blessing God's people was part of the priest's work (Deuteronomy 10:8), and God later gave Aaron's priestly family the words of a special blessing to speak over Israel (Numbers 6:22-27). The blessing came after the sacrifice. Jesus, our great High Priest, raised His hands to bless His disciples as He was taken up to heaven (Luke 24:50-51).
- Leviticus 9:22 (BSB)“Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them. And having made the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offering, he stepped down.”Having completed the offerings, Aaron raises his hands and blesses the people.
- Numbers 6:22-27 (BSB)“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons: This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: ‘May the LORD bless you and keep you; may the LORD cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the LORD lift up His countenance toward you and give you peace.’ So they shall put My name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.””Gives the blessing God later appointed Aaron and his sons to speak over Israel.
- Deuteronomy 10:8 (BSB)“At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day.”Includes pronouncing blessings in the LORD's name among the duties God assigned to the Levites.
- Luke 24:50-51 (BSB)“When Jesus had led them out as far as Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven.”Shows Jesus lifting up His hands and blessing His disciples as He ascended.
Theological
What did Aaron do after completing the sin offering, burnt offering, and peace offering (9:22)?
Answer: He raised his hands and pronounced a blessing over the people
With the sacrifices completed, Aaron raised his hands over the people, pronounced a blessing, and came down (9:22). Pronouncing blessing was a priestly function (Deuteronomy 10:8), given formal words in the Aaronic benediction of Numbers 6:22-27, and it follows the completed sacrifice. The pattern is fulfilled in Christ, who at His ascension raised His hands in blessing over His disciples (Luke 24:50-51).
- Leviticus 9:22 (BSB)“Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them. And having made the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offering, he stepped down.”Having completed the offerings, Aaron raises his hands and blesses the people.
- Numbers 6:22-27 (BSB)“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons: This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: ‘May the LORD bless you and keep you; may the LORD cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the LORD lift up His countenance toward you and give you peace.’ So they shall put My name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.””Gives the blessing God later appointed Aaron and his sons to speak over Israel.
- Deuteronomy 10:8 (BSB)“At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day.”Includes pronouncing blessings in the LORD's name among the duties God assigned to the Levites.
- Luke 24:50-51 (BSB)“When Jesus had led them out as far as Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven.”Shows Jesus lifting up His hands and blessing His disciples as He ascended.
General
True or False: When the eighth day came, Moses slaughtered the sin offering and applied its blood to the altar while Aaron watched.
Answer: False
This is false. At the ordination ceremony described in chapter 8, Moses had done the sacrificing, including applying the blood to the altar (8:15). But on the eighth day Aaron himself slaughtered the calf and, with his sons handing him the blood, put it on the altar's horns (9:8-9). Now that he was ordained, Aaron took up the work God had appointed for the high priest, offering sacrifices on behalf of the people (Hebrews 5:1).
- Leviticus 9:8-9 (BSB)“So Aaron approached the altar and slaughtered the calf as a sin offering for himself. The sons of Aaron brought the blood to him, and he dipped his finger in the blood and applied it to the horns of the altar. And he poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar.”Aaron himself slaughters the sin offering and applies its blood, assisted by his sons.
- 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.”During the ordination it was Moses who handled the blood at the altar.
- Hebrews 5:1 (BSB)“Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.”Describes the high priest's appointed role of offering gifts and sacrifices on behalf of the people.
Theological
True or False: At the eighth-day service Moses, rather than Aaron, slaughtered the sin offering and applied its blood to the altar.
Answer: False
This is false. Moses had officiated at the ordination ceremony of chapter 8, including the application of blood to the altar (8:15), but on the eighth day Aaron himself slaughtered the calf and, with his sons bringing the blood, put it on the altar's horns (9:8-9). The newly ordained high priest now assumed his appointed office of presenting gifts and sacrifices on the people's behalf (Hebrews 5:1).
- Leviticus 9:8-9 (BSB)“So Aaron approached the altar and slaughtered the calf as a sin offering for himself. The sons of Aaron brought the blood to him, and he dipped his finger in the blood and applied it to the horns of the altar. And he poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar.”Aaron himself slaughters the sin offering and applies its blood, assisted by his sons.
- 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.”During the ordination it was Moses who handled the blood at the altar.
- Hebrews 5:1 (BSB)“Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.”Describes the high priest's appointed role of offering gifts and sacrifices on behalf of the people.
General
What animals did Moses tell Aaron to bring for his own offerings (9:2)?
Answer: Sin offering: a young bull; burnt offering: a ram
Aaron's own sin offering (a sacrifice dealing with sin) was to be a young bull, and his burnt offering (a sacrifice burned completely on the altar) a ram, both without any defect (9:2). The male goat and the lamb belonged to the people's offerings (9:3). Aaron needed sacrifices for himself because, like every human high priest, he was a sinner (Hebrews 5:3). The flawless animals looked forward to Christ, who offered Himself to God without blemish (Hebrews 9:14).
- Leviticus 9:2 (BSB)“He said to Aaron, “Take for yourself a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering, both without blemish, and present them before the LORD.”Moses tells Aaron which animals to bring for his own offerings.
- Hebrews 5:3 (BSB)“That is why he is obligated to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.”Says the high priest was obligated to offer for his own sins as well as for the people's.
- Hebrews 9:14 (BSB)“how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!”Presents Christ as the unblemished offering that the flawless animals anticipated.
Theological
What animals were designated for Aaron's own offerings at the inaugural service (9:2)?
Answer: Sin offering: a young bull; burnt offering: a ram
Aaron's own sin offering was to be a young bull and his burnt offering a ram, both unblemished (9:2); the male goat and lamb were part of the people's offerings (9:3). The high priest required his own sin offering because he shared the people's sinfulness (Hebrews 5:3), and the requirement of unblemished victims anticipated Christ, who by the eternal Spirit presented Himself to God unblemished (Hebrews 9:14).
- Leviticus 9:2 (BSB)“He said to Aaron, “Take for yourself a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering, both without blemish, and present them before the LORD.”Moses tells Aaron which animals to bring for his own offerings.
- Hebrews 5:3 (BSB)“That is why he is obligated to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.”Says the high priest was obligated to offer for his own sins as well as for the people's.
- Hebrews 9:14 (BSB)“how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!”Presents Christ as the unblemished offering that the flawless animals anticipated.
General
Whose sin offering did Aaron slaughter first when he approached the altar (9:7-8)?
Answer: His own
Moses told Aaron to make atonement (to cover sin and restore a right relationship with God) both on his own behalf and on the people's, and Aaron began by killing the calf that was his own sin offering (9:7-8). Only after that did he offer the people's sacrifices (9:15). Hebrews points out the difference between Aaron and Jesus: earthly high priests had to sacrifice on their own account before sacrificing on the people's (Hebrews 7:27; 9:7), but Jesus is holy and without sin (Hebrews 7:26), so He needed no sacrifice for Himself and offered Himself once for all.
- Leviticus 9:7-8 (BSB)“Then Moses said to Aaron, “Approach the altar and sacrifice your sin offering and your burnt offering to make atonement for yourself and for the people. And sacrifice the people’s offering to make atonement for them, as the LORD has commanded.” So Aaron approached the altar and slaughtered the calf as a sin offering for himself.”Moses directs Aaron to make atonement for himself and the people, and Aaron begins with his own sin offering.
- Hebrews 7:27 (BSB)“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.”Contrasts the high priests who offered first for their own sins with Christ, who offered Himself once for all.
- Hebrews 9:7 (BSB)“But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.”Notes that the high priest offered blood for himself as well as for the people.
- Hebrews 7:26 (BSB)“Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.”Describes Christ as holy, innocent, undefiled, and set apart from sinners.
Theological
In 9:7-8, for whom did Aaron offer the first sin offering?
Answer: Himself
Directed to make atonement on his own behalf and the people's, Aaron began with the calf that served as his own sin offering (9:7-8), only afterward presenting the people's offering (9:15). Hebrews highlights this as the mark of the Levitical high priest, who had to sacrifice on his own account before doing so on the people's (Hebrews 7:27; 9:7). Christ, holy, innocent, and undefiled (Hebrews 7:26), had no such need and offered Himself once for all.
- Leviticus 9:7-8 (BSB)“Then Moses said to Aaron, “Approach the altar and sacrifice your sin offering and your burnt offering to make atonement for yourself and for the people. And sacrifice the people’s offering to make atonement for them, as the LORD has commanded.” So Aaron approached the altar and slaughtered the calf as a sin offering for himself.”Moses directs Aaron to make atonement for himself and the people, and Aaron begins with his own sin offering.
- Hebrews 7:27 (BSB)“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.”Contrasts the high priests who offered first for their own sins with Christ, who offered Himself once for all.
- Hebrews 9:7 (BSB)“But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.”Notes that the high priest offered blood for himself as well as for the people.
- Hebrews 7:26 (BSB)“Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.”Describes Christ as holy, innocent, undefiled, and set apart from sinners.
General
On which day did Moses call Aaron, his sons, and Israel's elders to begin the priests' public ministry (9:1)?
Answer: The eighth day
Moses summoned Aaron, his sons, and Israel's elders on the eighth day (9:1). That was the day right after the seven days of ordination, during which the priests had stayed at the entrance of the tent (8:33). With their ordination complete, Aaron could now begin serving at the altar. Ezekiel's vision of a future temple follows the same pattern: seven days to consecrate the altar, and then offerings beginning on the eighth day (Ezekiel 43:26-27).
- Leviticus 9:1 (BSB)“On the eighth day Moses summoned Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel.”Moses calls Aaron, his sons, and the elders together once the ordination period is over.
- 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.”The ordination had required the priests to stay at the tent entrance for seven days.
- Ezekiel 43:26-27 (BSB)“For seven days the priests are to make atonement for the altar and cleanse it; so they shall consecrate it. At the end of these days, from the eighth day on, the priests are to present your burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar. Then I will accept you, declares the Lord GOD.’””Ezekiel's vision follows the same pattern: seven days of consecrating the altar, then regular offerings from the eighth day on.
Theological
On which day did the inaugural priestly service begin, when Moses summoned Aaron, his sons, and Israel's elders (9:1)?
Answer: The eighth day
The inaugural service took place on the eighth day (9:1), immediately following the seven days of ordination at the tent entrance (8:33). With the consecration complete, Aaron began his ministry at the altar. Ezekiel's temple vision reflects the same sequence, a seven-day consecration of the altar followed by regular offerings beginning with day eight (Ezekiel 43:26-27).
- Leviticus 9:1 (BSB)“On the eighth day Moses summoned Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel.”Moses calls Aaron, his sons, and the elders together once the ordination period is over.
- 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.”The ordination had required the priests to stay at the tent entrance for seven days.
- Ezekiel 43:26-27 (BSB)“For seven days the priests are to make atonement for the altar and cleanse it; so they shall consecrate it. At the end of these days, from the eighth day on, the priests are to present your burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar. Then I will accept you, declares the Lord GOD.’””Ezekiel's vision follows the same pattern: seven days of consecrating the altar, then regular offerings from the eighth day on.
General
What burned up the offerings lying on the altar at the close of the day's service (9:24)?
Answer: Fire sent from the LORD's own presence
A fire sent from the LORD's own presence burned up everything lying on the altar, the whole burnt offering as well as the fat pieces (9:24). This was God's own sign that He accepted both the offerings and the newly ordained priesthood. God did the same thing at other key moments, such as Elijah's sacrifice on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:38-39) and the dedication of Solomon's temple (2 Chronicles 7:1). Unlike the priests who offered the same sacrifices again and again, Christ made a single offering for sin, valid forever, and then took His seat at God's right hand, His offering complete (Hebrews 10:11-12).
- Leviticus 9:24 (BSB)“Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.”Fire from the LORD consumes the offerings on the altar, and the people respond in worship.
- 1 Kings 18:38-39 (BSB)“Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell facedown and said, “The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!””At Mount Carmel fire from the LORD consumed Elijah's sacrifice, showing that God had answered and accepted it.
- 2 Chronicles 7:1 (BSB)“When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.”At the dedication of Solomon's temple, fire from heaven consumed the offerings as God's glory filled the house.
- Hebrews 10:11-12 (BSB)“Day after day every priest stands to minister and to offer again and again the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God.”Contrasts priests who offered the same sacrifices repeatedly with Christ, who offered one sacrifice for all time and sat down at God's right hand.
Theological
According to 9:24, what burned up the offerings that lay on the altar?
Answer: Fire sent from the LORD's own presence
Fire issued from the LORD's own presence and devoured all that lay on the altar, the whole burnt offering as well as the fat pieces (9:24), a visible divine ratification of the sacrifices and of the newly inaugurated priesthood. The same sign of acceptance marked Elijah's offering at Carmel (1 Kings 18:38-39) and the dedication of Solomon's temple (2 Chronicles 7:1). Its fulfillment is Christ's single, never-repeated offering for sin, after which He took His seat at God's right hand, in contrast to priests who stood offering repeatedly (Hebrews 10:11-12).
- Leviticus 9:24 (BSB)“Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.”Fire from the LORD consumes the offerings on the altar, and the people respond in worship.
- 1 Kings 18:38-39 (BSB)“Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell facedown and said, “The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!””At Mount Carmel fire from the LORD consumed Elijah's sacrifice, showing that God had answered and accepted it.
- 2 Chronicles 7:1 (BSB)“When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.”At the dedication of Solomon's temple, fire from heaven consumed the offerings as God's glory filled the house.
- Hebrews 10:11-12 (BSB)“Day after day every priest stands to minister and to offer again and again the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God.”Contrasts priests who offered the same sacrifices repeatedly with Christ, who offered one sacrifice for all time and sat down at God's right hand.
General
What happened when Moses and Aaron emerged from the Tent of Meeting (9:23)?
Answer: They pronounced a blessing, and the LORD's glory became visible to everyone
Moses and Aaron went into the tent together. On coming back out, they pronounced a blessing on the people, and then the LORD's glory was revealed to the whole assembly (9:23). This fulfilled Moses' promise that God would appear to them that day (9:4, 6). God's glory had already filled the tabernacle when it was set up (Exodus 40:34-35), and now it was shown to the whole nation. In Jesus, God's glory came to live among His people in a fuller way still (John 1:14).
- Leviticus 9:23 (BSB)“Moses and Aaron then entered the Tent of Meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people, and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people.”Moses and Aaron go into the tent, come out and bless the people, and God's glory is revealed.
- Exodus 40:34-35 (BSB)“Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses was unable to enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.”Records the glory of the LORD filling the tabernacle when it was first set up.
- John 1:14 (BSB)“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”Says the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory.
Theological
What followed when Moses and Aaron emerged from the Tent of Meeting (9:23)?
Answer: They pronounced a blessing, and the LORD's glory was revealed to the whole assembly
When Moses and Aaron had gone into the tent and returned, they pronounced a blessing, and the LORD's glory was revealed to the whole assembly (9:23), fulfilling the promise of 9:4, 6. The glory that had filled the tabernacle when it was first set up (Exodus 40:34-35) was now displayed before the whole congregation. The theophany anticipates the incarnation, in which the Word took up residence among His people and they saw His glory (John 1:14).
- Leviticus 9:23 (BSB)“Moses and Aaron then entered the Tent of Meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people, and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people.”Moses and Aaron go into the tent, come out and bless the people, and God's glory is revealed.
- Exodus 40:34-35 (BSB)“Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses was unable to enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.”Records the glory of the LORD filling the tabernacle when it was first set up.
- John 1:14 (BSB)“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”Says the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory.
General
When Aaron burned a handful from the grain offering, what was it added to (9:17)?
Answer: The burnt offering of that morning
Aaron took a handful from the grain offering (an offering of flour and oil) and put it on the altar fire together with the burnt offering of that morning (9:17). A handful was the portion the law set aside to be burned for God (Leviticus 2:2). The burnt offering of the morning points to the regular daily sacrifice God had commanded, one lamb each morning and another at twilight (Exodus 29:38-39), so the special offerings of this day did not replace Israel's daily worship; they were added to it.
- Leviticus 9:17 (BSB)“Next he presented the grain offering, took a handful of it, and burned it on the altar in addition to the morning’s burnt offering.”Aaron burns part of the grain offering along with the burnt offering made that morning.
- Leviticus 2:2 (BSB)“and bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests. The priest shall take a handful of the flour and oil, together with all the frankincense, and burn this as a memorial portion on the altar, a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.”The law of the grain offering had the priest burn a handful as a memorial portion.
- Exodus 29:38-39 (BSB)“This is what you are to offer regularly on the altar, each day: two lambs that are a year old. Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight.”God had commanded a regular burnt offering of a lamb every morning and evening.
Theological
According to 9:17, the handful of grain offering was burned in addition to what?
Answer: The morning burnt offering
Aaron burned a handful from the grain offering, the memorial portion prescribed in Leviticus 2:2, together with the morning burnt offering (9:17). That morning offering points to the continual daily sacrifice of Exodus 29:38-39, a lamb each morning and at twilight, so the inaugural offerings supplemented rather than displaced the regular daily worship.
- Leviticus 9:17 (BSB)“Next he presented the grain offering, took a handful of it, and burned it on the altar in addition to the morning’s burnt offering.”Aaron burns part of the grain offering along with the burnt offering made that morning.
- Leviticus 2:2 (BSB)“and bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests. The priest shall take a handful of the flour and oil, together with all the frankincense, and burn this as a memorial portion on the altar, a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.”The law of the grain offering had the priest burn a handful as a memorial portion.
- Exodus 29:38-39 (BSB)“This is what you are to offer regularly on the altar, each day: two lambs that are a year old. Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight.”God had commanded a regular burnt offering of a lamb every morning and evening.
General
True or False: At the sight of the fire from the LORD, the people cried out with joy and threw themselves face down.
Answer: True
This is true. When the whole assembly saw the fire burn up the offerings, they cried out joyfully and fell on their faces (9:24). Their response joined gladness with deep reverence, rejoicing that God had accepted them and bowing low before His holiness. Scripture often puts joy and reverent fear together in worship (Psalm 2:11; 95:6), and Israel responded the same way when fire and glory came at the dedication of Solomon's temple (2 Chronicles 7:3).
- Leviticus 9:24 (BSB)“Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.”Fire from the LORD consumes the offerings, and the people respond in worship.
- 2 Chronicles 7:3 (BSB)“When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.””Israel responded to fire and glory at the temple dedication by bowing low and giving thanks.
- Psalm 2:11 (BSB)“Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.”Joins joy and reverent fear together in the service of the LORD.
- Psalm 95:6 (BSB)“O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.”Calls God's people to bow down and kneel in worship before the LORD.
Theological
True or False: The people responded to the fire from the LORD with joyful cries and by bowing low to the ground.
Answer: True
This is true. Seeing the fire consume the offerings, the people raised a joyful shout and fell prostrate (9:24), joining exultation at God's acceptance with prostrate reverence before His holiness. Scripture repeatedly unites rejoicing and reverent fear in worship (Psalm 2:11; 95:6), and the same response met the descent of fire and glory at the temple's dedication (2 Chronicles 7:3).
- Leviticus 9:24 (BSB)“Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.”Fire from the LORD consumes the offerings, and the people respond in worship.
- 2 Chronicles 7:3 (BSB)“When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.””Israel responded to fire and glory at the temple dedication by bowing low and giving thanks.
- Psalm 2:11 (BSB)“Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.”Joins joy and reverent fear together in the service of the LORD.
- Psalm 95:6 (BSB)“O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.”Calls God's people to bow down and kneel in worship before the LORD.
General
What animal did the Israelites bring as their sin offering that day (9:3)?
Answer: A male goat
For sin the people offered a male goat. They also brought a year-old calf and lamb as their burnt offering, plus an ox together with a ram as their peace offering (a fellowship offering shared in a meal); and grain with oil (9:3-4). Aaron offered the people's goat in the same way as his own sin offering (9:15). The young bull was Aaron's own sin offering, and the ram was not used as a sin offering at all. Goats and bulls could not finally take away sin (Hebrews 10:4); they pointed to Christ, who entered God's presence through His own blood and secured eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:11-12).
- Leviticus 9:3-4 (BSB)“Then speak to the Israelites and say, ‘Take a male goat for a sin offering, a calf and a lamb—both a year old and without blemish—for a burnt offering, an ox and a ram for a peace offering to sacrifice before the LORD, and a grain offering mixed with oil. For today the LORD will appear to you.’””Moses tells the Israelites what to bring for their sin, burnt, peace, and grain offerings.
- Leviticus 9:15 (BSB)“Aaron then presented the people’s offering. He took the male goat for the people’s sin offering, slaughtered it, and offered it for sin like the first one.”Aaron offers the people's goat as a sin offering just as he did his own.
- Hebrews 10:4 (BSB)“because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”States that the blood of bulls and goats could never itself take away sins.
- Hebrews 9:11-12 (BSB)“But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.”Says Christ entered the Most Holy Place not by the blood of goats and calves but by His own blood, securing eternal redemption.
Theological
Which animal did the congregation offer for sin at the inaugural service (9:3)?
Answer: A male goat
The congregation's sin offering was a male goat, accompanied by a year-old calf and lamb as their burnt offering, plus an ox together with a ram as their peace offering, and grain with oil (9:3-4); Aaron offered the goat for sin in the same manner as his own bull (9:15). The young bull was Aaron's, and no ram served as a sin offering. Such blood could not in itself remove sin (Hebrews 10:4), but it foreshadowed Christ, who entered God's sanctuary once for all through His own blood and obtained eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:11-12).
- Leviticus 9:3-4 (BSB)“Then speak to the Israelites and say, ‘Take a male goat for a sin offering, a calf and a lamb—both a year old and without blemish—for a burnt offering, an ox and a ram for a peace offering to sacrifice before the LORD, and a grain offering mixed with oil. For today the LORD will appear to you.’””Moses tells the Israelites what to bring for their sin, burnt, peace, and grain offerings.
- Leviticus 9:15 (BSB)“Aaron then presented the people’s offering. He took the male goat for the people’s sin offering, slaughtered it, and offered it for sin like the first one.”Aaron offers the people's goat as a sin offering just as he did his own.
- Hebrews 10:4 (BSB)“because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”States that the blood of bulls and goats could never itself take away sins.
- Hebrews 9:11-12 (BSB)“But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.”Says Christ entered the Most Holy Place not by the blood of goats and calves but by His own blood, securing eternal redemption.
General
What reason did Moses give the people for bringing their offerings that day (9:4, 6)?
Answer: So that the LORD would appear to them in His glory
Moses told the people that on this day the LORD would appear to them, and that doing what God commanded was so that His glory would be seen (9:4, 6). Sacrifice came first, then God's presence. God had promised to meet His people at the tent and live among them (Exodus 29:43-45), but a holy God can only dwell with sinners when their sin has been dealt with. Believers now draw near to God with confidence because of Jesus' blood (Hebrews 10:19-22).
- Leviticus 9:4 (BSB)“an ox and a ram for a peace offering to sacrifice before the LORD, and a grain offering mixed with oil. For today the LORD will appear to you.’””Moses gives the reason the people must bring their offerings that day.
- Leviticus 9:6 (BSB)“And Moses said, “This is what the LORD has commanded you to do, so that the glory of the LORD may appear to you.””Moses repeats that obeying this command is so that the LORD's glory may appear.
- Exodus 29:43-45 (BSB)“I will also meet with the Israelites there, and that place will be consecrated by My glory. So I will consecrate the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and I will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve Me as priests. Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God.”God had promised to meet Israel at the tent, consecrate it by His glory, and dwell among them.
- Hebrews 10:19-22 (BSB)“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 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.”Shows that believers now draw near to God with confidence through the blood of Jesus.
Theological
What purpose did Moses announce for the eighth-day offerings (9:4, 6)?
Answer: That the LORD would appear to them and His glory be revealed
Moses announced that the LORD would appear that day and that the commanded offerings were so that His glory would be manifested (9:4, 6). Atonement precedes communion: the promised meeting and indwelling of Exodus 29:43-45 could take place only once the people's sin was addressed. Under the new covenant, access into God's presence rests on Jesus' blood, through whom believers draw near with full assurance (Hebrews 10:19-22).
- Leviticus 9:4 (BSB)“an ox and a ram for a peace offering to sacrifice before the LORD, and a grain offering mixed with oil. For today the LORD will appear to you.’””Moses gives the reason the people must bring their offerings that day.
- Leviticus 9:6 (BSB)“And Moses said, “This is what the LORD has commanded you to do, so that the glory of the LORD may appear to you.””Moses repeats that obeying this command is so that the LORD's glory may appear.
- Exodus 29:43-45 (BSB)“I will also meet with the Israelites there, and that place will be consecrated by My glory. So I will consecrate the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and I will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve Me as priests. Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God.”God had promised to meet Israel at the tent, consecrate it by His glory, and dwell among them.
- Hebrews 10:19-22 (BSB)“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 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.”Shows that believers now draw near to God with confidence through the blood of Jesus.