Leviticus 8:29
And Moses took the breast and waved it for a wave offering before the LORD. It was Moses’ portion of the ram of ordination, as the LORD commanded Moses.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This wasn't just any ram; it was the "ram of ordination," and the breast portion, typically belonging to the officiating priest, was specifically designated as Moses's personal share. This detail highlights Moses's unique role, not just as the one performing the ordination, but as a participant who himself received a portion, underscoring his own commissioned service in this sacred act.
This passage describes the culmination of Aaron and his sons' ordination as priests, following the sacrifices and anointings detailed just before. After Moses had already waved parts of the ram of consecration along with the priests, he now takes the breast for himself as his designated portion, a practice that would normally go to the officiating priest in later offerings. This specific priestly role for Moses, designated by God, occurs within the broader context of a seven-day consecration period designed to fully equip Aaron and his sons for their sacred duties in the Tabernacle.
Have you ever wondered about the specific actions and symbols in ancient worship? The 'wave offering' was more than just a movement; it was a profound expression of devotion.
The act of 'waving' in ancient Israelite worship was a specific ritual designed to present offerings to the LORD. It signified the bringing of something to God, separating it for His use.
A Movement of Presentation
In Leviticus 8:29, Moses 'waved' the breast of the ram. This action wasn't random; it was a prescribed way to present a portion of the sacrifice to God before it was distributed.
More Than Just Waving
This gesture communicated that the offering belonged to the LORD. It was a physical act of giving, acknowledging God's sovereignty and His claim over His people and their resources. This was foundational to how they approached God in worship.
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Why did Moses, the great leader, receive a special portion from the ordination ram? This verse reveals a deeper truth about his involvement.
Leviticus 8:29 highlights a unique aspect of the ordination ceremony: Moses himself received a portion of the sacrifice.
A Priest's Wages for a Different Priest
While the breast of the ram was typically designated for the officiating priest (Exodus 29:26), in this instance, it was given to Moses. This wasn't because he was performing the regular priestly duties of Aaron, but because he was the one conducting the ordination. He was acting in a priestly capacity to set apart Aaron and his sons.
Acting on God's Command
This special portion for Moses underscores that he was directly fulfilling God's command in establishing the priesthood. He was God's agent in this sacred act, and his 'wages' for this unique service came directly from the ordination sacrifice itself, as instructed by the LORD.
This passage directly states the command from God that the breast of the ram of ordination would be the portion for Moses, providing the foundational instruction for the action described in Leviticus 8:29.
Hebrews 5:1This New Testament passage explains the general principle that a high priest is chosen from among men and appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins, setting the theological context for the ordination ceremony detailed in Leviticus 8.
1 Peter 2:5This verse speaks of believers being built up as 'spiritual sacrifices' and functioning as a 'royal priesthood,' drawing a parallel to the consecration of Aaron and his sons and highlighting the spiritual application of these Old Testament ceremonies.
Leviticus 7:34This verse explains that the breast and right shoulder were the 'wave offering' and 'heave offering' respectively, which were to be the officiating priest's portion, thus explaining why the breast was a priestly perquisite.
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…
barnesLeviticus 8:29: "And Moses took the breast, and waved it for a wave offering before the LORD: for of the ram of consecration it was Moses' part; as the LORD commanded Moses."
The heave-shoulder was the ordinary perquisite of the officiating priest, but the wave-breast appears to have been awarded to Moses as the servant of Yahweh now especially appointed for the priestly service.
This wasn't just any ram; it was the "ram of ordination," and the breast portion, typically belonging to the officiating priest, was specifically designated as Moses's personal share. This detail highlights Moses's unique role, not just as the one performing the ordination, but as a participant who himself received a portion, underscoring his own commissioned service in this sacred act.
This passage describes the culmination of Aaron and his sons' ordination as priests, following the sacrifices and anointings detailed just before. After Moses had already waved parts of the ram of consecration along with the priests, he now takes the breast for himself as his designated portion, a practice that would normally go to the officiating priest in later offerings. This specific priestly role for Moses, designated by God, occurs within the broader context of a seven-day consecration period designed to fully equip Aaron and his sons for their sacred duties in the Tabernacle.
This passage describes the culmination of Aaron and his sons' ordination as priests, following the sacrifices and anointings detailed just before. After Moses had already waved parts of the ram of consecration along with the priests, he now takes the breast for himself as his designated portion, a practice that would normally go to the officiating priest in later offerings. This specific priestly role for Moses, designated by God, occurs within the broader context of a seven-day consecration period designed to fully equip Aaron and his sons for their sacred duties in the Tabernacle.
"And Moses took the breast and waved it for a wave offering before the LORD. It was Moses’ portion of the ram of ordination, as the LORD commanded Moses." — This wasn't just any ram; it was the "ram of ordination," and the breast portion, typically belonging to the officiating priest, was specifically designated as Moses's personal share. This detail hig…
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