Exodus 29

Exodus 29 describes the detailed instructions for the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests in Israel. God commands Moses on how the priests are to be set apart for service, through sacrifices, anointing, and various rituals that are symbolic of purification and dedication. This chapter emphasizes the holiness required for the priests to serve in God’s presence and the necessity of atonement through sacrifice. It sets the stage for the priests’ role in mediating between God and the people of Israel.

Exodus 29:1-3 (NKJV)
1 "And this is what you shall do to them to hallow them for ministering to Me as priests: Take one young bull and two rams without blemish,
2 and unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil (you shall make them of wheat flour).
3 You shall put them in one basket and bring them in the basket, with the bull and the two rams."

These verses outline the initial preparation for the consecration ceremony. The young bull and the two rams without blemish symbolize purity and the need for a perfect offering to God. The unleavened bread, cakes, and wafers represent purity, as leaven in the Bible often symbolizes sin. The specific ingredients and presentation in a basket underscore the order and reverence required when approaching God. This ritual sets the stage for the purification of the priests who will serve on behalf of the people.

Exodus 29:4-7 (NKJV)
4 "And Aaron and his sons you shall bring to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and you shall wash them with water.
5 Then you shall take the garments, put the tunic on Aaron, and the robe of the ephod, the ephod, and the breastplate, and gird him with the intricately woven band of the ephod.
6 You shall put the turban on his head, and put the holy crown on the turban.
7 And you shall take the anointing oil, pour it on his head, and anoint him."

In these verses, Aaron and his sons are washed at the entrance of the tabernacle, symbolizing their purification before entering God's service. The detailed description of Aaron’s clothing—each piece representing different aspects of his priestly role—highlights the sacredness of his position. The ephod, breastplate, and holy crown signify authority and mediation. The anointing with oil marks Aaron as consecrated, set apart for holy service, and is symbolic of God’s Spirit empowering him for the priesthood.

Exodus 29:8-9 (NKJV)
8 "Then you shall bring his sons and put tunics on them.
9 And you shall gird them with sashes, Aaron and his sons, and put the hats on them. The priesthood shall be theirs for a perpetual statute. So you shall consecrate Aaron and his sons."

Aaron’s sons are also clothed in tunics and sashes, similar to Aaron, signifying their inclusion in the priesthood. The priesthood being described as a "perpetual statute" means that this office will continue for generations, emphasizing the enduring nature of the priestly service. The garments they wear serve as a visible symbol of their sanctification, setting them apart from the rest of the people for service in the presence of God.

Exodus 29:10-12 (NKJV)
10 "You shall also have the bull brought before the tabernacle of meeting, and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands on the head of the bull.
11 Then you shall kill the bull before the Lord, by the door of the tabernacle of meeting.
12 You shall take some of the blood of the bull and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger, and pour all the blood beside the base of the altar."

Aaron and his sons laying their hands on the bull’s head is symbolic of transferring their sins to the animal, which will then be sacrificed in their place. The bull’s death and the shedding of its blood illustrate the serious nature of sin and the need for atonement. The application of the blood on the altar purifies the place where sacrifices are offered, symbolizing the need for cleansing before one can approach God.

Exodus 29:13-14 (NKJV)
13 "And you shall take all the fat that covers the entrails, the fatty lobe attached to the liver, and the two kidneys and the fat that is on them, and burn them on the altar.
14 But the flesh of the bull, with its skin and its offal, you shall burn with fire outside the camp. It is a sin offering."

The burning of specific parts of the bull on the altar represents a complete offering to God, while the rest of the bull is burned outside the camp. This act emphasizes the separation of sin from the community, as the sin offering is removed from the camp. The fire symbolizes judgment and purification, pointing to the seriousness of sin and the need for complete removal from God’s people.

Exodus 29:15-18 (NKJV)
15 "You shall also take one ram, and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands on the head of the ram;
16 and you shall kill the ram, and you shall take its blood and sprinkle it all around on the altar.
17 Then you shall cut the ram in pieces, wash its entrails and its legs, and put them with its pieces and with its head.
18 And you shall burn the whole ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the Lord; it is a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to the Lord."

Aaron and his sons placing their hands on the ram’s head signifies their identification with the sacrifice. The ram's death and the sprinkling of its blood symbolize the atonement for sin, while the burning of the entire ram represents complete devotion to God. The burnt offering is described as a "sweet aroma," indicating that it is pleasing and acceptable to God when it is made in obedience and faith. This offering reflects the need for wholehearted consecration to God.

Exodus 29:19-21 (NKJV)
19 "You shall also take the other ram, and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands on the head of the ram.
20 Then you shall kill the ram, and take some of its blood and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron and on the tip of the right ear of his sons, on the thumb of their right hand, and on the big toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood all around on the altar.
21 And you shall take some of the blood that is on the altar, and some of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron and on his garments, on his sons and on the garments of his sons with him; and he and his garments shall be hallowed, and his sons and his sons' garments with him."

This second ram is called the ram of consecration, and its blood is applied to Aaron and his sons, symbolizing the sanctification of their senses (ear), actions (hand), and walk (foot). The sprinkling of both blood and oil on their garments further emphasizes their being set apart as holy for God's service. The priests are not only symbolically cleansed but also empowered and dedicated through this ritual to serve the people and God in the tabernacle.

Exodus 29:22-25 (NKJV)
22 "Also you shall take the fat of the ram, the fat tail, the fat that covers the entrails, the fatty lobe attached to the liver, the two kidneys and the fat on them, the right thigh (for it is a ram of consecration),
23 one loaf of bread, one cake made with oil, and one wafer from the basket of the unleavened bread that is before the Lord;
24 and you shall put all these in the hands of Aaron and in the hands of his sons, and you shall wave them as a wave offering before the Lord.
25 You shall receive them back from their hands and burn them on the altar as a burnt offering, as a sweet aroma before the Lord. It is an offering made by fire to the Lord."

The fat portions of the ram, along with various types of bread, are given to Aaron and his sons to offer as a wave offering. This act symbolizes their participation in the sacrificial process and their offering of themselves to God. The burnt offering is described again as a "sweet aroma," which signifies that it is pleasing to God when done in accordance with His instructions. This part of the ritual further emphasizes the consecration of Aaron and his sons to their holy service.

Exodus 29:26-28 (NKJV)
26 "Then you shall take the breast of the ram of Aaron's consecration and wave it as a wave offering before the Lord; and it shall be your portion.
27 And from the ram of the consecration you shall consecrate the breast of the wave offering which is waved, and the thigh of the heave offering which is raised, of that which is for Aaron and of that which is for his sons.
28 It shall be from the children of Israel for Aaron and his sons by a statute forever. For it is a heave offering; it shall be a heave offering from the children of Israel from the sacrifices of their peace offerings, that is, their heave offering to the Lord."

The breast and thigh of the ram are reserved for Aaron and his sons as their portion from the sacrifices. This portion is given to them as a perpetual right from the peace offerings of the people of Israel. The wave offering and heave offering symbolize giving thanks to God and acknowledging Him as the provider. These portions for the priests underscore God’s provision for those who serve Him and help mediate on behalf of the people.

Exodus 29:29-30 (NKJV)
29 "And the holy garments of Aaron shall be his sons' after him, to be anointed in them and to be consecrated in them.
30 That son who becomes priest in his place shall put them on for seven days, when he enters the tabernacle of meeting to minister in the holy place."

The holy garments are passed down from Aaron to his sons, indicating the continuation of the priesthood through his descendants. The garments are to be worn by each new high priest for seven days during their consecration, symbolizing their induction into the sacred office. This ensures that the priestly lineage remains set apart and that each new generation understands the importance of their role and the sanctity of the priesthood.

Exodus 29:31-34 (NKJV)
31 "And you shall take the ram of the consecration and boil its flesh in the holy place.
32 Then Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram, and the bread that is in the basket, by the door of the tabernacle of meeting.
33 They shall eat those things with which the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them; but an outsider shall not eat them, because they are holy.
34 And if any of the flesh of the consecration offerings, or of the bread, remains until the morning, then you shall burn the remainder with fire. It shall not be eaten, because it is holy."

Aaron and his sons are to eat the consecration offering, symbolizing their participation in the atonement and their acceptance of the priestly role. The meal, which takes place near the tabernacle, signifies the intimate relationship between the priests and God. Only the priests are allowed to eat the offering, as it is holy and set apart for their sanctification. Any leftovers are to be burned, emphasizing the sacredness of the sacrifice and ensuring that nothing holy is profaned.

Exodus 29:35-37 (NKJV)
35 "Thus you shall do to Aaron and his sons, according to all that I have commanded you. Seven days you shall consecrate them.
36 And you shall offer a bull every day as a sin offering for atonement. You shall cleanse the altar when you make atonement for it, and you shall anoint it to sanctify it.
37 Seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and sanctify it. And the altar shall be most holy. Whatever touches the altar must be holy."

The consecration of Aaron and his sons lasts seven days, involving daily sin offerings to ensure their continual atonement. The repeated atonement for the altar emphasizes the holiness required of both the priests and the objects used in worship. The altar itself becomes sanctified through this process, becoming a sacred space where God’s presence dwells. Anything that touches the altar must be holy, highlighting the seriousness of maintaining purity in worship.

Exodus 29:38-41 (NKJV)
38 "Now this is what you shall offer on the altar: two lambs of the first year, day by day continually.
39 One lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight.
40 With the one lamb shall be one-tenth of an ephah of flour mixed with one-fourth of a hin of pressed oil, and one-fourth of a hin of wine as a drink offering.
41 And the other lamb you shall offer at twilight; and you shall offer with it the grain offering and the drink offering, as in the morning, for a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to the Lord."

These verses describe the daily offerings to be made on the altar, which consist of two lambs, one offered in the morning and the other in the evening. These sacrifices serve as a continual reminder of the people’s need for atonement and God’s provision. The accompanying grain and drink offerings symbolize the people’s devotion and thankfulness. The sacrifices are described as a “sweet aroma,” pleasing to God, emphasizing that daily, faithful obedience is pleasing to Him.

Exodus 29:42-43 (NKJV)
42 "This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the Lord, where I will meet you to speak with you.
43 And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by My glory."

The continual burnt offering is to be offered for all generations, symbolizing the ongoing relationship between God and Israel. The altar serves as the place where God meets with His people, signifying His desire to dwell among them. The sanctification of the tabernacle by God’s glory highlights His presence as the ultimate source of holiness, and the continual offerings reflect the need for constant worship and dedication to God.

Exodus 29:44-46 (NKJV)
44 "So I will consecrate the tabernacle of meeting and the altar. I will also consecrate both Aaron and his sons to minister to Me as priests.
45 I will dwell among the children of Israel and will be their God.
46 And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them up out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them. I am the Lord their God."

God reaffirms His promise to consecrate the tabernacle, the altar, and the priests, signifying His commitment to dwell among His people. This dwelling is not just physical but represents God’s deep relationship with Israel as their deliverer and provider. By dwelling with them, He establishes His authority and presence among the people, reminding them of His power in delivering them from Egypt. This chapter closes with a declaration of God’s covenant relationship with Israel, grounded in His deliverance and His ongoing presence among them.