Leviticus 8:10-11
Then Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and consecrated them. And he sprinkled some of it on the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all its utensils and the basin and its stand, to consecrate them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The anointing oil wasn't just for the priests; it was also poured directly onto the Tabernacle and everything inside it, marking the very dwelling place of God as holy. This act powerfully shows that God's presence is set apart and dedicated solely for His sacred purposes.
Moses is in the midst of a solemn, divinely commanded ceremony: the consecration of Aaron and his sons as the first priests of Israel. Following their washing and robed investiture, Moses now uses the sacred anointing oil to set apart the Tabernacle itself, along with all its holy furnishings, for God's exclusive service. This act precedes and parallels the anointing of Aaron, signifying that the very dwelling place of God among His people is being made holy.
The verses describe an intricate process of setting apart everything for God's service. But why the detailed steps, and what does it mean for a place to be 'sanctified'?
Leviticus 8:10 shows Moses anointing the Tabernacle and everything within it. This wasn't just ceremonial flair; it was a profound act of consecration.
The Anointing Oil
The special anointing oil, made with specific spices according to God's instructions (Exodus 30:22-25), symbolized purity and the presence of the Holy Spirit. When Moses poured this oil, he was setting these items apart exclusively for God's use.
What 'Sanctified' Means
To 'sanctify' means to make holy, to separate from the common and dedicate to the divine. The Tabernacle, its furniture (like the Ark, the altar, the lampstand, the table of showbread), and all their utensils were being declared 'set apart' for God's worship and presence.
This transformation from ordinary materials to sacred objects was essential for God's people to understand the holiness of God and the special nature of His dwelling place among them.
The anointing wasn't just for objects; it was deeply symbolic for the people. What deeper meaning does this act hold for understanding worship and service?
The anointing ritual in Leviticus 8 wasn't just about making things holy; it was a powerful symbol of dedication and the Holy Spirit's role.
Setting Apart for Service
Anointing, especially with oil, was a common ancient practice to set someone or something apart for a special purpose, often for leadership or sacred duty. In this case, the anointing of the Tabernacle and its contents declared them holy and uniquely designated for God's service.
The Spirit's Role
Commentaries often highlight that oil in Scripture is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. The anointing oil represented the Spirit's presence, empowering and purifying those and those things dedicated to God. This act was a tangible sign that God's Spirit would inhabit and empower His dwelling place and its functions.
Understand the original words
shemen hamishchah · Hebrew Noun
A mixture of spices and olive oil used to set apart people (like priests or kings) and objects for exclusive service to God, symbolizing the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
qadash · Hebrew Verb
The process of declaring something or someone as sacred and dedicated to God's service, marking the transition from ordinary to holy status.
mizbeach · Hebrew Noun
A structure, usually of stone or earth, upon which sacrifices or offerings are made to God; it represents the place where God meets His people through blood sacrifice.
qadash · Hebrew Verb
To set apart as sacred or holy for the exclusive use of God, often involving specific rituals of washing, anointing, or applying blood.
This passage parallels Leviticus 8:10 by describing Moses anointing the tabernacle and its furnishings with oil as commanded by God, highlighting the sacred dedication of these items.
Exodus 30:22-29This section details the specific recipe for the holy anointing oil and explicitly states its purpose is to anoint the tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priests, thus connecting to the action described in Leviticus 8:10.
1 Samuel 16:13This verse shows a king, David, being anointed with oil, demonstrating that the concept of anointing was not limited to the Tabernacle and its priests but extended to leaders, symbolizing divine selection and empowerment.
Hebrews 9:21-23This New Testament passage reflects on the Old Testament rituals, explaining that most things were purified with blood, but the heavenly things themselves required better sacrifices, connecting the idea of consecration through anointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.
Psalm 133:1-3This psalm celebrates the beauty of unity among believers, using the imagery of the precious anointing oil poured on Aaron's head and running down his garments, thereby linking the sacred anointing to divine blessing and fellowship.
calvinLeviticus 8:4-36: "And Moses did as the LORD commanded him; and the assembly was gathered together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation."
Et fecit Moses quemadmodum praecperat ei Jehova. Et congregatus est coetus ad ostium tabernaculi conventionis.
And Moses said unto the congregation, This is the thing which the Lord commanded to be done.
Tunc dixit Moses ad congregaionem, Hoc est verbum quod praecepit Jehova facere.
And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washe…
gillLeviticus 8:10: "And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them."
And Moses took the anointing oil,.... Which Bezaleel had made, according to the directions which Moses had given him, and he had received from the Lord: this Moses brought with him to the door of the tabernacle, as he was ordered, Leviticus 8:2 and now he took it and made use of it as follows: and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein; the altar of incense, t…
The anointing oil wasn't just for the priests; it was also poured directly onto the Tabernacle and everything inside it, marking the very dwelling place of God as holy. This act powerfully shows that God's presence is set apart and dedicated solely for His sacred purposes.
Moses is in the midst of a solemn, divinely commanded ceremony: the consecration of Aaron and his sons as the first priests of Israel. Following their washing and robed investiture, Moses now uses the sacred anointing oil to set apart the Tabernacle itself, along with all its holy furnishings, for God's exclusive service. This act precedes and parallels the anointing of Aaron, signifying that the very dwelling place of God among His people is being made holy.
Moses is in the midst of a solemn, divinely commanded ceremony: the consecration of Aaron and his sons as the first priests of Israel. Following their washing and robed investiture, Moses now uses the sacred anointing oil to set apart the Tabernacle itself, along with all its holy furnishings, for God's exclusive service. This act precedes and parallels the anointing of Aaron, signifying that the very dwelling place of God among His people is being made holy.
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This ritual foreshadowed a greater reality: that true consecration comes not just from outward acts but from the inward work of God's Spirit, making us fit for His service.
"Then Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and consecrated them. And he sprinkled some of it on the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all its utensils and the basin and its stand, to c…" — The anointing oil wasn't just for the priests; it was also poured directly onto the Tabernacle and everything inside it, marking the very dwelling place of God as holy. This act powerfully shows that…
