Exodus 29:1
“Now this is what you shall do to them to consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. Take one bull of the herd and two rams without blemish,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The word "hallow" here doesn't just mean to make holy, but to set apart and consecrate them for a specific, sacred role. This wasn't just about making them "good" people, but about them being separated from ordinary life to serve God directly.
The previous chapter described the priestly garments, and now God instructs Moses on the elaborate seven-day ritual to consecrate Aaron and his sons for their new role. This detailed ceremony, involving specific sacrifices like the bullock and rams mentioned here, washing, robing, and anointing, was essential to set them apart for sacred service to God and to sanctify them for the priesthood.
Why go through such an elaborate process to become a priest? It wasn't just a job promotion; it was a profound transformation.
The very first words of this chapter, 'to consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests,' reveal the heart of the matter. This wasn't just about assigning roles; it was about setting apart individuals for a sacred purpose.
From Common to Set Apart
Service Rooted in Holiness
God’s instructions for the priests' consecration begin with very specific animals. What’s the big deal about a 'bullock' and 'rams without blemish'?
The choice of a young bullock and two rams, all 'without blemish,' wasn't arbitrary. These were significant sacrificial animals that pointed beyond themselves.
Symbolism of Perfection
Understand the original words
qadash · Hebrew Verb
To set apart as sacred or holy, dedicating a person or object exclusively for God's service and presence. It involves both a ceremonial act and an inner transformation of status to be used by God.
kohen · Hebrew Noun
The mediatorial role of one who represents humanity before God, performing sacrifices and interceding on behalf of the people to maintain the covenant relationship. Priests were set apart to serve in the sanctuary.
tamim · Hebrew Adjective
Free from physical defect or moral fault; in the context of sacrifices, it represents the requirement that God be offered only that which is excellent and unblemished, prefiguring the perfect sacrifice of Christ.
This passage details the actual execution of the consecration ceremony described in Exodus 29, showing Moses performing the rituals on Aaron and his sons.
Hebrews 7:26This New Testament passage directly parallels the need for a holy and blameless priest, like Jesus, who is far superior to the Levitical priests consecrated here.
Malachi 1:13-14This verse highlights God's displeasure with blemished sacrifices, underscoring why the rams and bullock for the priests' consecration had to be 'without blemish'.
1 Peter 1:18-19This passage connects the idea of redemption with the precious blood of Christ, a pure and spotless sacrifice, paralleling the symbolic use of blood in the priests' consecration.
John 17:19Jesus' prayer to 'sanctify myself' for His disciples directly echoes the concept of consecration found in Exodus 29, but on a far grander, spiritual scale.
gillExodus 29:1: "And this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them, to minister unto me in the priest's office: Take one young bullock, and two rams without blemish,"
And this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them,.... To Aaron and his sons: to "hallow" them; to sanctify them, set them apart, and consecrate them: to minister unto me in the priest's office; for which the Lord had appointed them, to which he had chose, called, and separated them: take one young bullock, and two r…
clarkeExodus 29:1: "And this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them, to minister unto me in the priest's office: Take one young bullock, and two rams without blemish,"
Take one young bullock - This consecration did not take place till after the erection of the tabernacle. See Leviticus 8:9-14 .
The word "hallow" here doesn't just mean to make holy, but to set apart and consecrate them for a specific, sacred role. This wasn't just about making them "good" people, but about them being separated from ordinary life to serve God directly.
The previous chapter described the priestly garments, and now God instructs Moses on the elaborate seven-day ritual to consecrate Aaron and his sons for their new role. This detailed ceremony, involving specific sacrifices like the bullock and rams mentioned here, washing, robing, and anointing, was essential to set them apart for sacred service to God and to sanctify them for the priesthood.
The previous chapter described the priestly garments, and now God instructs Moses on the elaborate seven-day ritual to consecrate Aaron and his sons for their new role. This detailed ceremony, involving specific sacrifices like the bullock and rams mentioned here, washing, robing, and anointing, was essential to set them apart for sacred service to God and to sanctify them for the priesthood.
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A Glimpse of Christ
"“Now this is what you shall do to them to consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. Take one bull of the herd and two rams without blemish," — The word "hallow" here doesn't just mean to make holy, but to set apart and consecrate them for a specific, sacred role. This wasn't just about making them "good" people, but about them being *separa…
