Leviticus 8:1-13
God establishes His priesthood through public consecration so that mediators may serve in His holy presence.
1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
2 “Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, and the anointing oil, and the bull of the sin offering, and the two rams, and the basket of unleavened bread;
3 and assemble all the congregation at the door of the Tent of Meeting.”
4 Moses did as Yahweh commanded him; and the congregation was assembled at the door of the Tent of Meeting.
5 Moses said to the congregation, “This is the thing which Yahweh has commanded to be done.”
6 Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water.
7 He put the tunic on him, tied the sash on him, clothed him with the robe, put the ephod on him, and he tied the skillfully woven band of the ephod on him and fastened it to him with it.
8 He placed the breastplate on him. He put the Urim and Thummim in the breastplate.
9 He set the turban on his head. He set the golden plate, the holy crown, on the front of the turban, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
10 Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and sanctified them.
11 He sprinkled it on the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all its vessels, and the basin and its base, to sanctify them.
12 He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.
13 Moses brought Aaron’s sons, and clothed them with tunics, and tied sashes on them, and put headbands on them, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
God establishes His priesthood through public consecration so that mediators may serve in His holy presence.
This passage begins the public ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests of Israel. It describes how Moses gathers the congregation and performs the initial acts of washing, clothing, and anointing that consecrate the priesthood for service before the LORD.
Leviticus 8 opens a new major movement in the book. Leviticus 1-7 gave the offering laws. Leviticus 8-10 narrates the ordination and beginning of Aaronic priestly ministry, including both consecration and warning. Leviticus 8:1-13 is the opening scene of the ordination: command, assembly, washing, vesting, anointing of sanctuary objects, and anointing of Aaron.
Leviticus 8:1-13 takes place at the tabernacle in the wilderness after the LORD has given the offering laws at Sinai. Israel has been redeemed from Egypt and brought into covenant with the LORD. The tabernacle has been constructed, the offering laws have been given, and now the priesthood must be installed to administer the sanctuary service. The ordination occurs at the entrance to the tent of meeting before the whole assembly. Moses brings Aaron and his sons, washes them, clothes Aaron and his sons, anoints the tabernacle and its furnishings, and pours oil on Aaron's head. The command is given by the LORD to Moses. The whole assembly witnesses the rite. Aaron and his sons are the immediate subjects of ordination. Ordination includes ritual washing, investiture with priestly garments, anointing with oil, consecration of sanctuary objects, and sacrificial rites that follow in the next units. The priesthood must be consecrated before functioning at the altar. This passage begins the enactment of priestly installation anticipated in Exodus 28-29 and required for the offerings described in Leviticus 1-7.
The Ordination of Aaron and His Sons
The LORD appoints, cleanses, clothes, anoints, sacrifices for, and consecrates His priests so they may serve before Him according to His command.