Leviticus 9:22
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The verse highlights that Aaron's blessing of the people was an integral part of his priestly duties, just as significant as offering the sacrifices themselves. This wasn't just a nice gesture; it was a formal act of mediation, signifying God's reconciliation with the people through the completed sacrifices.
Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them, and he came down from offering the sin offering and the burnt offering and the peace offerings.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After fulfilling his duty to offer all the required sacrifices for himself and the people, Aaron publicly blessed the assembled Israelites before descending from the altar. This climactic moment, the first priestly blessing, signified the completion of the consecration rituals and immediately preceded the visible manifestation of God's glory to all the people.
After completing the weighty task of offering sacrifices, Aaron doesn't just walk away. He turns to the people with a blessing. What does this final act reveal about his role?
The Priest's Final Act: Blessing
Leviticus 9:22 shows Aaron, after finishing the sin, burnt, and peace offerings, lifting his hands to bless the people. This wasn't just a nice gesture; it was a core part of his priestly duty.
Aaron lifted his hands to bless the people. Why are hands so significant in this act of blessing and priesthood?
Hands Raised in Blessing and Service
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The act of lifting hands for blessing was a physical posture with deep meaning:
Understand the original words
barak · Hebrew Verb
To pronounce God's favor and protection over someone. In a priestly context, it is a formal act of invoking God's grace and covenant blessings upon the community.
chattath · Hebrew Noun
An offering specifically intended to make atonement for unintentional sins, restoring the relationship between the offerer and God. It focuses on the removal of guilt and the cleansing of the worshiper.
olah · Hebrew Noun
An offering where the entire animal was burned on the altar. It symbolizes the complete dedication and total surrender of the offerer to God.
shelem · Hebrew Noun
An offering that celebrates the fellowship and reconciliation between God and the offerer. It often involved a shared meal, signifying peace and communion within the covenant.
This passage gives the specific words of the priestly blessing that Aaron likely used, showing the formal and established nature of this act of benediction as part of the priestly role.
Luke 24:50This verse describes Jesus lifting up his hands and blessing his disciples before his ascension, drawing a powerful parallel between Aaron's priestly act and Christ's ultimate ministry of blessing.
Deuteronomy 10:8This passage highlights that the tribe of Levi was set apart by God to carry the Ark of the Covenant and to bless the people in the Lord's name, reinforcing the divine commission behind Aaron's action.
Hebrews 7:26-27This New Testament passage contrasts the Levitical priests, who offered sacrifices for themselves and others, with Jesus Christ, the perfect High Priest who offered himself once for all, fulfilling the purpose of these ancient rituals.
Leviticus 9:23-24Immediately following Aaron's blessing, the glory of the Lord appeared and consumed the offerings, showing divine acceptance of the sacrifices and the priestly ministry, a powerful confirmation of God's presence and favor.
bensonLeviticus 9:22: "And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings."
Leviticus 9:22 . Aaron lifted up his hand — Which was the usual rite of blessing. By this posture he signified both whence he expected the blessing, and his hearty desire of it for them. And blessed them — In some such manner as is related Numbers 6:24 , &c., though not in the same form, for it is not probable that he u…
calvinLeviticus 9:1-24: "And it came to pass on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel;"
And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin-offering, and thy burnt-offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the Lord commanded.
Ad Aharon vero dixit Moses, Accede ad altare, et fac oblationem pro peccato tuo, et holocaustum tuum, et expiationem fac pro te…
The verse highlights that Aaron's blessing of the people was an integral part of his priestly duties, just as significant as offering the sacrifices themselves. This wasn't just a nice gesture; it was a formal act of mediation, signifying God's reconciliation with the people through the completed sacrifices.
After fulfilling his duty to offer all the required sacrifices for himself and the people, Aaron publicly blessed the assembled Israelites before descending from the altar. This climactic moment, the first priestly blessing, signified the completion of the consecration rituals and immediately preceded the visible manifestation of God's glory to all the people.
After fulfilling his duty to offer all the required sacrifices for himself and the people, Aaron publicly blessed the assembled Israelites before descending from the altar. This climactic moment, the first priestly blessing, signified the completion of the consecration rituals and immediately preceded the visible manifestation of God's glory to all the people.
"Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them, and he came down from offering the sin offering and the burnt offering and the peace offerings." — The verse highlights that Aaron's blessing of the people was an integral part of his priestly duties, just as significant as offering the sacrifices themselves. This wasn't just a nice gesture; it wa…
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Last reviewed October 2026
