and anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may serve me as priests. And their anointing shall admit them to a perpetual priesthood throughout their generations.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that the anointing of Aaron and his sons isn't just a ceremony; it's a divine seal guaranteeing a perpetual priesthood. This means their service isn't temporary or based on their own merit, but an enduring inheritance passed down through generations, all because God ordained it.
and anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may serve me as priests. And their anointing shall admit them to a perpetual priesthood throughout their generations.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The LORD has just finished giving Moses detailed instructions for constructing the Tabernacle and its furnishings. Now, Moses is commanded to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests, anointing them with oil to set them apart for their sacred duties. This act solidifies their perpetual priesthood, ensuring God's presence and worship would continue among His people.
Being a priest wasn't just a job; it was a sacred calling. What did the anointing oil signify for Aaron and his sons?
The verse emphasizes that the anointing was the formal act that qualified Aaron and his sons to serve as priests. Before this anointing, they couldn't officially minister. This oil wasn't just decorative; it was a divine symbol of consecration. It set them apart from everyone else, marking them as belonging to God for a specific, holy purpose: to mediate between God and His people.
A Holy Calling
The text promises an 'everlasting priesthood.' What does this mean for the generations to come, and how does it point forward?
The anointing wasn't a one-time event for Aaron's line; it established a 'perpetual priesthood throughout their generations.' While the specific ritual and the individuals serving as priests changed over time, the office of the priesthood, established through this consecration, was meant to endure.
Continuity and Promise
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Understand the original words
olam · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
That which is everlasting, enduring, or continuing throughout all generations; it refers to a status or covenant that does not expire.
This passage describes the specific act of anointing Aaron, the father, with oil poured on his head, highlighting the distinct consecration of the high priest which then served as the model for his sons' anointing.
Hebrews 7:24This New Testament passage contrasts the earthly, generational priesthood with Jesus' eternal, unchangeable priesthood, showing how the 'everlasting priesthood' established in Exodus finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ.
Psalm 133:1This psalm celebrates the beauty of unity among brothers, directly referencing the precious anointing oil flowing down Aaron's beard, symbolizing the blessing and unity of the priesthood and God's people.
Exodus 29:9This verse promises a perpetual priesthood to Aaron and his sons, echoing the idea of an everlasting calling established through their consecration and service, which the anointing signifies.
1 Samuel 15:22This verse speaks of obedience being better than sacrifice, implying that true priestly service, as established by God and sealed by anointing, is rooted in following His commands.
calvinExodus 40:1-35: "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.
Ungesque filius, quemadmodum unxeris patrem eorum: et sacerdotio fungentur mihi, eritque unctio eorum ut sit els in sacerdotium perpetuum per generationes suas.
Thus did Moses: according to all that the Lord commanded…
ellicottExodus 40:15: "And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations."
(15) Thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father.— By the narrative of Leviticus 8, it would seem that Aaron’s sons were not anointed in the same way as himself. He had the oil poured over his head ( Leviticus 8:12 ; Psalm 133:2 ). They were merely sprinkled…
The verse highlights that the anointing of Aaron and his sons isn't just a ceremony; it's a divine seal guaranteeing a perpetual priesthood. This means their service isn't temporary or based on their own merit, but an enduring inheritance passed down through generations, all because God ordained it.
The LORD has just finished giving Moses detailed instructions for constructing the Tabernacle and its furnishings. Now, Moses is commanded to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests, anointing them with oil to set them apart for their sacred duties. This act solidifies their perpetual priesthood, ensuring God's presence and worship would continue among His people.
The LORD has just finished giving Moses detailed instructions for constructing the Tabernacle and its furnishings. Now, Moses is commanded to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests, anointing them with oil to set them apart for their sacred duties. This act solidifies their perpetual priesthood, ensuring God's presence and worship would continue among His people.
"and anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may serve me as priests. And their anointing shall admit them to a perpetual priesthood throughout their generations.”" — The verse highlights that the anointing of Aaron and his sons isn't just a ceremony; it's a divine seal guaranteeing a perpetual priesthood. This means their service isn't temporary or based on their…
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Last reviewed October 2026