Leviticus 9:22
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)
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The surprising part here is that Aaron's priestly duties conclude not with the sacrifices themselves, but with a blessing for the people. This shows that the ultimate purpose of the sacrifices was reconciliation and God's favor, which are then formally communicated back to His people by their mediator.
Having completed the sin, burnt, and peace offerings for himself and the people, Aaron turns from the altar and raises his hands to pronounce a blessing upon the congregation. This culminates the intense procedures of the installation and initial sacrifices, preceding the dramatic manifestation of God's glory that affirmed Aaron's priesthood. This pivotal moment shows the priest acting as mediator, bringing God's favor to the people after the sacrifices are complete.
Why does the Bible mention Aaron 'coming down' from the altar? It's more than just a physical descent.
A Step Down, A Step Up
When Aaron 'came down from offering' the sacrifices, it wasn't just about getting off the altar. The altar itself was elevated, a raised platform that brought the priest closer to God.
Aaron lifts his hands, but who is the real source of the blessing? This act reveals a crucial theological truth.
A Conduit of Grace
Aaron's action of lifting his hands to bless the people wasn't a self-generated act. It was a public declaration that God, and God alone, is the source of blessing.
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 directly parallels Aaron's blessing with Jesus lifting his hands and blessing his disciples before his ascension, highlighting Jesus as the ultimate high priest who blesses his followers.
Numbers 6:23-26This is the specific priestly blessing that Aaron likely used, showing the ancient tradition of God-ordained words to convey divine favor and protection to His people.
Hebrews 5:1This New Testament passage speaks to the nature of the Levitical priesthood, explaining that Aaron, like all high priests, had to offer sacrifices first for his own sins, underscoring the symbolic and imperfect nature of the Old Testament system compared to Christ.
John 1:14This verse describes the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us, which is a fulfillment of God's presence initiated by the tabernacle and sacrifices, culminating in the ultimate presence of God in Christ.
1 Kings 18:38This passage shows a divine sign of acceptance through fire consuming Elijah's sacrifice, similar to how fire from the Lord confirmed the sacrifices offered by Aaron in Leviticus 9, demonstrating God's approval.
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 surprising part here is that Aaron's priestly duties conclude not with the sacrifices themselves, but with a blessing for the people. This shows that the ultimate purpose of the sacrifices was reconciliation and God's favor, which are then formally communicated back to His people by their mediator.
Having completed the sin, burnt, and peace offerings for himself and the people, Aaron turns from the altar and raises his hands to pronounce a blessing upon the congregation. This culminates the intense procedures of the installation and initial sacrifices, preceding the dramatic manifestation of God's glory that affirmed Aaron's priesthood. This pivotal moment shows the priest acting as mediator, bringing God's favor to the people after the sacrifices are complete.
Having completed the sin, burnt, and peace offerings for himself and the people, Aaron turns from the altar and raises his hands to pronounce a blessing upon the congregation. This culminates the intense procedures of the installation and initial sacrifices, preceding the dramatic manifestation of God's glory that affirmed Aaron's priesthood. This pivotal moment shows the priest acting as mediator, bringing God's favor to the people after the sacrifices are complete.
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"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 surprising part here is that Aaron's priestly duties conclude not with the sacrifices themselves, but with a blessing for the people. This shows that the ultimate purpose of the sacrifices was…
