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Exodus 29 The Ten Commandments and the Tabernacle

1 Consecration of the Priests
“This is what you are to do to consecrate them, so they may serve me as priests: Take a young bull and two rams without defect.

2 And from fine wheat flour, without yeast, make bread, and cakes mixed with oil, and wafers spread with oil.

3 Put them in a basket and present them in it—along with the bull and the two rams.

4 Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water.

5 Take the garments and dress Aaron with the tunic, the robe of the ephod, the ephod itself and the breastpiece. Fasten the ephod on him by its skillfully woven waistband.

6 Put the turban on his head and attach the sacred diadem to the turban.

7 Take the anointing oil and anoint him by pouring it on his head.

8 Bring his sons and dress them in tunics

9 and put headbands on them. Then tie sashes on Aaron and his sons. The priesthood is theirs by a lasting ordinance. In this way you shall ordain Aaron and his sons.

10 “Bring the bull to the front of the Tent of Meeting, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head.

11 Slaughter it in the Lord’s presence at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

12 Take some of the bull’s blood and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger, and pour out the rest of it at the base of the altar.

13 Then take all the fat around the inner parts, the covering of the liver, and both kidneys with the fat on them, and burn them on the altar.

14 But burn the bull’s flesh and its hide and its offal outside the camp. It is a sin offering.

15 “Take one of the rams, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head.

16 Slaughter it and take the blood and sprinkle it against the altar on all sides.

17 Cut the ram into pieces and wash the inner parts and the legs, putting them with the head and the other pieces.

18 Then burn the entire ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the Lord, a pleasing aroma, an offering made to the Lord by fire.

19 “Take the other ram, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head.

20 Slaughter it, take some of its blood and put it on the lobes of the right ears of Aaron and his sons, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. Then sprinkle blood against the altar on all sides.

21 And take some of the blood on the altar and some of the anointing oil and sprinkle it on Aaron and his garments and on his sons and their garments. Then he and his sons and their garments will be consecrated.

22 “Take from this ram the fat, the fat tail, the fat around the inner parts, the covering of the liver, both kidneys with the fat on them, and the right thigh. (This is the ram for the ordination.)

23 From the basket of bread made without yeast, which is before the Lord, take a loaf, and a cake made with oil, and a wafer.

24 Put all these in the hands of Aaron and his sons and wave them before the Lord as a wave offering.

25 Then take them from their hands and burn them on the altar along with the burnt offering for a pleasing aroma to the Lord, an offering made to the Lord by fire.

26 After you take the breast of the ram for Aaron’s ordination, wave it before the Lord as a wave offering, and it will be your share.

27 “Consecrate those parts of the ordination ram that belong to Aaron and his sons: the breast that was waved and the thigh that was presented.

28 This is always to be the regular share from the Israelites for Aaron and his sons. It is the contribution the Israelites are to make to the Lord from their fellowship offerings.

29 “Aaron’s sacred garments will belong to his descendants so that they can be anointed and ordained in them.

30 The son who succeeds him as priest and comes to the Tent of Meeting to minister in the Holy Place is to wear them seven days.

31 “Take the ram for the ordination and cook the meat in a sacred place.

32 At the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, Aaron and his sons are to eat the meat of the ram and the bread that is in the basket.

33 They are to eat these offerings by which atonement was made for their ordination and consecration. But no one else may eat them, because they are sacred.

34 And if any of the meat of the ordination ram or any bread is left over till morning, burn it up. It must not be eaten, because it is sacred.

35 “Do for Aaron and his sons everything I have commanded you, taking seven days to ordain them.

36 Sacrifice a bull each day as a sin offering to make atonement. Purify the altar by making atonement for it, and anoint it to consecrate it.

37 For seven days make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will be most holy, and whatever touches it will be holy.

38 “This is what you are to offer on the altar regularly each day: two lambs a year old.

39 Offer one in the morning and the other at twilight.

40 With the first lamb offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a quarter of a hin of oil from pressed olives, and a quarter of a hin of wine as a drink offering.

41 Sacrifice the other lamb at twilight with the same grain offering and its drink offering as in the morning—a pleasing aroma, an offering made to the Lord by fire.

42 “For the generations to come this burnt offering is to be made regularly at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting before the Lord. There I will meet you and speak to you;

43 there also I will meet with the Israelites, and the place will be consecrated by my glory.

44 “So I will consecrate the Tent of Meeting and the altar and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests.

45 Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God.

46 They will know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.

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Analysis of Exodus Chapter 29

Exodus Chapter 29 is a critical passage in the book of Exodus, detailing the consecration ceremony for Aaron and his sons as priests. This chapter is densely packed with ritual instructions and symbolic acts that underscore the significance of the priesthood in the covenant relationship between God and the Israelites. By examining the chapter closely, we can uncover deeper insights into the theological and spiritual implications of the text.

Verses 1-9: The Preparation and Anointing

The chapter begins with clear and specific instructions for the preparation of Aaron and his sons. The key elements include a young bull, two rams without defect, unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers spread with oil. These elements are brought to the door of the tabernacle of meeting.

“And this is the thing that you shall do to them to hallow them for ministering to Me as priests: Take one young bull and two rams without blemish, and unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil. You shall make them of wheat flour.” (Exodus 29:1-2)

The use of unleavened bread signifies purity and the absence of corruption, setting the tone for the consecration ceremony. The act of bringing the priests-to-be and the sacrificial elements to the door of the tabernacle points to the requirement of being in the presence of God for sanctification. The washing of Aaron and his sons with water signifies the necessity of purification before entering into priestly service.

“Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the tabernacle of meeting and wash them with water.” (Exodus 29:4)

The next set of instructions involves clothing Aaron and his sons in the priestly garments, including the tunic, robe, ephod, breastplate, and turban. This clothing serves as a sign of their new identity and role as mediators between God and the Israelites. The garments are not just functional, but richly symbolic, pointing to the dignity and holiness required of the priesthood. The anointing with oil is a pivotal moment, signifying the impartation of the Holy Spirit and setting apart Aaron and his sons for their sacred duty.

“And you shall take the anointing oil, pour it on his head, and anoint him. Then you shall bring his sons and put tunics on them.” (Exodus 29:7-8)

Verses 10-14: The Sin Offering

The sin offering, involving a young bull, is the next step in the consecration ceremony. Aaron and his sons place their hands on the bull’s head, symbolically transferring their sins onto the animal. This act underscores the concept of substitutionary atonement – the bull represents the bearing of their sin, and its slaughter purifies them for their sacred duties.

“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. Then you shall kill the bull before the LORD, by the door of the tabernacle of meeting.” (Exodus 29:10-11)

The blood of the bull plays a crucial role, with specified parts of the animal’s blood being applied to the altar’s horns and poured out at its base. This blood application sanctifies the altar, preparing it for its role in future sacrifices. The remaining flesh, skin, and offal are burned outside the camp, symbolically removing the sin from the community.

Verses 15-18: The Burnt Offering

The ceremony continues with the burnt offering, using one of the rams. As with the bull, Aaron and his sons place their hands on the ram’s head before it is slaughtered. This act continues the theme of identification and substitution. The entire ram is then burnt on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the Lord, symbolizing total devotion and surrender to God.

“You shall also take one ram, and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands on the head of the ram; and you shall kill the ram, and you shall take its blood and sprinkle it all around on the altar. Then you shall cut the ram in pieces, wash its entrails and its legs, and put them with its pieces and with its head. 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.” (Exodus 29:15-18)

This burnt offering symbolizes the complete and unreserved dedication of the priests to God. It reinforces the idea that their lives and service are wholly given to the Lord.

Verses 19-28: The Ordination Ram and Wave Offering

The second ram, referred to as the ordination ram, plays a multi-faceted role in the consecration ceremony. Once again, Aaron and his sons lay their hands on the ram’s head, and it is sacrificed. A significant aspect of this offering is the application of the ram’s blood on Aaron and his sons – on their right ears, thumbs, and big toes. This act signifies the consecration of their hearing (listening to God’s commands), their actions (service), and their walk (conduct).

“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.” (Exodus 29:20)

The rest of the blood is again sprinkled around the altar, signifying the altar’s sanctification and readiness for future sacrifices. Parts of the ram – the fat, fatty tail, inner organs, and right thigh – are waved before the Lord as a wave offering. This gesture symbolizes presenting these parts to God, acknowledging His provision and their dedication to Him.

“And 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), one loaf of bread, one cake made with oil, and one wafer from the basket of the unleavened bread that is before the LORD; 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.” (Exodus 29:22-24)

These parts are then burned on the altar, signifying their complete dedication to God. Interestingly, some of the offerings are also used to provide for the priests, highlighting how God’s provision reaches them even as they serve Him.

Verses 29-37: Priestly Garments and Consecration Duration

The chapter continues with instructions about the priestly garments, emphasizing that they are to be worn by Aaron’s successors. This instruction reinforces the continuity and longevity of the priestly office. The garments are not just for one generation but for all succeeding priests, signifying an unbroken service to God.

The consecration ceremony spans seven days, with daily sacrifices required to purify the altar. Through this extended period, the concept of completeness and thorough preparation for the holy office is reinforced.

“Thus you shall do to Aaron and his sons, according to all that I have commanded you. Seven days you shall consecrate them. 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. 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.” (Exodus 29:35-37)

Verses 38-46: Perpetual Offerings and God’s Presence

The final section of the chapter introduces the perpetual daily offerings. Two lambs are to be offered each day, one in the morning and one at twilight, along with grain and drink offerings. These continual sacrifices maintain a daily rhythm of worship, acknowledging God’s constant provision and the people’s need for ongoing atonement and relationship with Him.

“Now this is what you shall offer on the altar: two lambs of the first year, day by day continually. One lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight.” (Exodus 29:38-39)

The chapter concludes with God’s promise to dwell among the Israelites and be their God through these rituals. The continual sacrifice is designed to ensure that the presence of God remains with His people, and it emphasizes the importance of regular, ongoing acts of worship.

“I will dwell among the children of Israel and will be their God. 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.” (Exodus 29:45-46)

Conclusion

Exodus Chapter 29 provides a comprehensive blueprint for the consecration of the priesthood and the ongoing system of sacrifices designed to maintain the people’s relationship with God. The detailed instructions emphasize the holiness required of those who serve as God’s intermediaries and the importance of continual dedication and purification.

The chapter is rich with symbolism, from the unleavened bread representing purity to the sacrificial animals embodying substitutionary atonement. The anointing with oil signifies the priests’ sanctification and empowerment by the Holy Spirit, while the various offerings highlight themes of devotion, atonement, and God’s provision.

This chapter illustrates the gravity and sacred nature of the priesthood in ancient Israel, setting a standard of holiness and dedication that speaks to both the community’s immediate context and broader theological truths about God’s unyielding desire to dwell among His people. Through these rituals, the Israelites are continually reminded of God’s deliverance, His ongoing presence, and their identity as His chosen people.