Leviticus 8:10-12
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What's easily missed here is that Moses didn't just anoint the priests; he first anointed the entire Tabernacle and everything inside it. This act set apart not just the people, but the very dwelling place of God and all its sacred furnishings, making everything within its walls dedicated solely to His holy purpose.
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. And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage describes a crucial step in the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests. Following their washing and priestly garments, Moses now uses the sacred anointing oil. This act consecrates not only the priests themselves but also the Tabernacle and its furnishings, setting them apart for God's exclusive service.
Imagine walking into a place so sacred that even the furniture needs special dedication. That's what Moses is doing here!
In Leviticus 8:10, Moses anoints the tabernacle and everything inside it. This wasn't just a ceremonial cleaning; it was a profound act of consecration.
Setting Apart
What does it mean for something—or someone—to be 'anointed'?
The anointing oil in the Old Testament was more than just a ritual. It symbolized the empowering presence and favor of the Holy Spirit, setting apart individuals and objects for God's specific purposes.
Symbol of the Spirit
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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.
shemen mishchah · Hebrew Noun phrase
A sacred oil used in the Old Testament to mark persons or objects as holy and set apart for divine service; it symbolizes the setting apart by the Holy Spirit.
This passage directly parallels Leviticus 8:10, showing the command to anoint the tabernacle and its furnishings, highlighting the importance of setting apart sacred objects for God's use.
Exodus 30:26-29These verses detail the specific purpose and formula for the anointing oil, emphasizing that its use was exclusively for consecrating the tabernacle, its vessels, and the priests, reinforcing the holiness and separation involved.
1 Samuel 16:13This passage shows the anointing of David with oil by Samuel, illustrating how the practice of anointing extended beyond the tabernacle to set apart individuals for leadership, mirroring the consecration of the sacred space and its ministers.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22This New Testament passage speaks of God establishing believers and anointing them with His Spirit, drawing a parallel to the Old Testament anointing of the tabernacle and priests, signifying divine presence and empowerment for service.
Hebrews 9:21-23This passage discusses the purification and consecration of the tabernacle and its furnishings with blood and oil, connecting the ritualistic anointing in Leviticus to the broader theme of atonement and the establishment of a covenant relationship between God and His people.
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…
What's easily missed here is that Moses didn't just anoint the priests; he first anointed the entire Tabernacle and everything inside it. This act set apart not just the people, but the very dwelling place of God and all its sacred furnishings, making everything within its walls dedicated solely to His holy purpose.
This passage describes a crucial step in the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests. Following their washing and priestly garments, Moses now uses the sacred anointing oil. This act consecrates not only the priests themselves but also the Tabernacle and its furnishings, setting them apart for God's exclusive service.
This passage describes a crucial step in the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests. Following their washing and priestly garments, Moses now uses the sacred anointing oil. This act consecrates not only the priests themselves but also the Tabernacle and its furnishings, setting them apart for God's exclusive 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…" — What's easily missed here is that Moses didn't just anoint the priests; he first anointed the entire Tabernacle and everything inside it. This act set apart not just the people, but the very dwelli…
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Last reviewed October 2026
