Exodus 29:26
“You shall take the breast of the ram of Aaron’s ordination and wave it for a wave offering before the LORD, and it shall be your portion.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse highlights a subtle shift in possession: the "breast" of the ordination ram, designated for Moses as "your portion," was the precursor to it becoming the permanent due of the priests in later offerings. This detail shows that even in these foundational moments of sacred service, the structure of God's ongoing provision for His ministers was being established.
This passage describes the final steps in the elaborate ordination ceremony for Aaron and his sons as priests. After specific rituals involving blood and anointing oil have consecrated them, a ram of ordination is offered. The breast of this ram, after being waved before the Lord, is designated as a portion for Moses, who is officiating as priest in this consecration.
Have you ever wondered what it means to share a meal with God? In ancient Israel, certain sacrifices weren't just burned up; they were shared.
The ceremony described here for consecrating Aaron and his sons as priests involved specific portions of the sacrifice being designated for the priests to eat. The 'breast of the ram' was to be 'waved' before the LORD and then given to the officiating priest (in this case, Moses) as his 'part.' This wasn't just any food; it was a holy meal, signifying a special communion and fellowship with God. It showed that the priests, set apart for God's service, were also invited to partake in what was offered to Him.
Why was Moses, the great lawgiver, performing priestly duties here? This passage highlights a unique moment in sacred history.
In this specific consecration ceremony for Aaron and his sons, Moses, who was not an ordained priest, takes on the priestly role. He performs the rituals and, significantly, receives the breast of the ram as his 'part.' This was a temporary designation, setting Aaron and his sons apart for their perpetual priestly office. It underscores that even in the Old Testament, God's service involved specific roles and authorities, and that sometimes God would commission individuals for unique tasks outside the established order, as He did with Moses here.
Understand the original words
tenuphah · Hebrew Noun
A common ritual act in the Old Testament, involving moving an offering back and forth or up and down before the Lord, signifying the presentation of the sacrifice to God and its subsequent reception back by the priests as their provision.
millu'im · Hebrew Noun
The setting apart of persons, objects, or time for exclusive service and devotion to God, signifying holiness and separation from common or profane use.
This passage establishes the general principle that the breast of a peace offering, after being waved, belongs to the officiating priest, directly supporting the specific instance in Exodus 29:26 where it's given to Moses.
Hebrews 7:26This New Testament passage highlights Jesus as the perfect High Priest – holy, blameless, pure – mirroring the Old Testament's call for a consecrated and pure priesthood, with the waved breast symbolizing a portion of that sacred service.
Luke 10:7Jesus states that the laborer is worthy of his wages, which echoes the principle here where the officiating priest (Moses, in this instance) receives a specific portion of the sacrifice for his service.
1 Corinthians 9:13Paul references Old Testament practices concerning sacrifices, indicating that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered, a concept reflected in the breast of the ram being designated as the portion for the one performing the priestly duties.
gillExodus 29:26: "And thou shalt take the breast of the ram of Aaron's consecration, and wave it for a wave offering before the LORD: and it shall be thy part."
And thou shalt take the breast of the ram of Aaron's consecrations,.... The ram being slain and cut to pieces, this part is particularly disposed of: and wave it for a wave offering before the Lord; in the manner before described: and it shall be thy part: the part of Moses, he officiating now as a priest; and we find accordingly in later…
calvinExodus 29:1-35: "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 thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: and the priest's office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.
Cingesque illos baltheo: Aharon et flios ejus, et aptabis eis pileos, et erit eis sacerdotium in statutum perp…
This verse highlights a subtle shift in possession: the "breast" of the ordination ram, designated for Moses as "your portion," was the precursor to it becoming the permanent due of the priests in later offerings. This detail shows that even in these foundational moments of sacred service, the structure of God's ongoing provision for His ministers was being established.
This passage describes the final steps in the elaborate ordination ceremony for Aaron and his sons as priests. After specific rituals involving blood and anointing oil have consecrated them, a ram of ordination is offered. The breast of this ram, after being waved before the Lord, is designated as a portion for Moses, who is officiating as priest in this consecration.
This passage describes the final steps in the elaborate ordination ceremony for Aaron and his sons as priests. After specific rituals involving blood and anointing oil have consecrated them, a ram of ordination is offered. The breast of this ram, after being waved before the Lord, is designated as a portion for Moses, who is officiating as priest in this consecration.
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"“You shall take the breast of the ram of Aaron’s ordination and wave it for a wave offering before the LORD, and it shall be your portion." — This verse highlights a subtle shift in possession: the "breast" of the ordination ram, designated for Moses as "your portion," was the precursor to it becoming the permanent due of the priests in la…
