Leviticus 8

Following the regulations for the various offerings in Leviticus 1–7, chapter 8 carries out the priestly ordination commanded in Exodus 29. Chapters 8–10 narrate the establishment of the priesthood.

Outline

• Verses 1–5 The LORD commands Moses to bring Aaron and his sons, the garments, the anointing oil (oil used for consecration), and the offerings, and to gather the congregation at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation (the tent of meeting).
• Verses 6–9 Moses washes them with water and clothes Aaron with the coat, the girdle, the robe, the ephod, and the breastplate; he puts the Urim and Thummim in the breastplate and sets the mitre and the golden plate on his head.
• Verses 10–13 Moses anoints the tabernacle, its furnishings, and the altar with the anointing oil, sprinkling the altar seven times. He pours anointing oil on Aaron's head and clothes Aaron's sons.
• Verses 14–17 The bullock for the sin offering is offered. Its blood is put on the horns of the altar, and its hide and flesh are burned outside the camp.
• Verses 18–21 The ram for the burnt offering is burned whole on the altar.
• Verses 22–29 The blood of the ram of consecration is put on the tip of the right ear, the thumb of the right hand, and the great toe of the right foot of Aaron and his sons. The fat, the right shoulder, and the bread are waved as a wave offering and then burned. The breast becomes Moses' portion.
• Verse 30 Moses sprinkles the anointing oil and the blood on Aaron and his sons and on their garments, sanctifying them.
• Verses 31–36 Moses instructs them to eat the flesh and the bread at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation and to remain at the door for seven days and nights. Aaron and his sons do as they are commanded.

Key Verses

• Leviticus 8:12 "And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him." — This verse depicts the anointing of the high priest.
• Leviticus 8:23 "Moses took of the blood of it, and put it upon the tip of Aaron's right ear, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot." — A distinctive rite found only in the ordination ceremony.
• Leviticus 8:36 "So Aaron and his sons did all things which the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses." — The chapter as a whole closes with obedience to the command.

People and Places

• Moses: He officiates at the sacrifices himself, since Aaron has not yet been ordained.
• Aaron: He is ordained as high priest.
• Aaron's sons: They are not named in this chapter, but Exodus 28:1 identifies them as Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
• Tabernacle of the congregation (tent of meeting): Another name for the tabernacle, where the congregation assembled.

Points for Reflection

• The repeated phrase "as the LORD commanded Moses" emphasizes that the commands given in Exodus were carried out exactly.
• The rite of applying blood to the ear, hand, and foot is commonly interpreted as consecrating the whole person—hearing, working, and walking—though the text itself does not explain its meaning.
• The seven-day ordination period leads into Leviticus 9, which describes the first sacrifices on the eighth day.
• Hebrews 7 and other passages present Christ as high priest in contrast to the Aaronic priesthood. Protestants generally read this in terms of Christ's high priesthood and the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers, grounded in 1 Peter 2:5. Catholic, Orthodox, and other traditions that maintain an ordained priesthood sometimes understand ordination in connection with the Old Testament consecration of priests.

In the Korean Church

The passage is sometimes cited in sermons at installation or ordination services as a text related to appointing church officers.