Exodus 28 41

Exodus 28:41 kjv

And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.

Exodus 28:41 nkjv

So you shall put them on Aaron your brother and on his sons with him. You shall anoint them, consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister to Me as priests.

Exodus 28:41 niv

After you put these clothes on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint and ordain them. Consecrate them so they may serve me as priests.

Exodus 28:41 esv

And you shall put them on Aaron your brother, and on his sons with him, and shall anoint them and ordain them and consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests.

Exodus 28:41 nlt

Clothe your brother, Aaron, and his sons with these garments, and then anoint and ordain them. Consecrate them so they can serve as my priests.

Exodus 28 verses

Exodus 28 41 Meaning

This verse provides divine instructions for the inauguration of Aaron and his sons into the priestly office. It outlines the essential acts required to consecrate them: they are to be clothed in the holy garments, anointed with sacred oil, consecrated through a specific ritual, and set apart as holy, so that they may rightfully serve God as priests. These steps establish their divine appointment, authority, and sanctity, enabling them to mediate between God and the Israelites.

Exodus 28 41 Context

Exodus chapter 28, following the detailed instructions for building the Tabernacle (chapters 25-27), shifts focus to the personnel who will serve within it. This chapter specifies the design and materials for the sacred garments for Aaron and his sons, identifying the High Priest (Aaron) and his sons as those appointed by God to officiate within the newly established portable sanctuary. Verse 41 serves as a concluding summary for these preparations, emphasizing that once the garments are made, the men themselves must undergo a profound ritualistic induction – an anointing, consecration, and sanctification – to be made fit for their exclusive and holy office before the Lord. This act marks the formal commencement of the Aaronic priesthood, central to Israel's covenant relationship with God.

Exodus 28 41 Word analysis

• And you shall put them on: Refers to the "holy garments" meticulously detailed in the preceding verses (Exod 28:2-40), including the ephod, breastpiece, robe, tunic, turban, and sash for Aaron, and tunics, sashes, and caps for his sons. Wearing these divinely prescribed garments was an essential part of their qualification, symbolizing their specific role and sacred identity, and covering their nakedness before God (Exod 28:42-43).
• Aaron your brother: Establishes the divine appointment of Aaron, Moses' brother, as the foundational High Priest. "Brother" emphasizes a natural familial relationship, yet Aaron is set apart for a supernatural calling, highlighting that God chooses from among humanity.
• and on his sons with him: Specifies the hereditary nature of the Aaronic priesthood. The office would pass down through Aaron's lineage, ensuring a perpetual line of authorized ministers within Israel. This lineage was crucial for the priesthood's legitimacy and continuity.
• and shall anoint them: (Hebrew: מָשַׁח, mashach) - To smear or rub with oil, specifically the holy anointing oil (Exod 30:22-33). This act symbolized divine selection, endowment with spiritual power, and setting apart for sacred service. Anointing distinguished the recipient as consecrated by God for a specific task, notably prophets, priests, and kings, foreshadowing Christ, "the Anointed One."
• and consecrate them: (Hebrew: מִלְאוּ יָד, mil'u yad) - Literally "fill their hand" or "fill their power." This idiomatic expression denotes an act of ordination or investing with authority. It involved specific rituals described in Exod 29 and Lev 8, such as placing parts of sacrifices into their hands, symbolizing their empowerment and readiness to perform priestly functions and offer sacrifices on behalf of the people.
• and sanctify them: (Hebrew: קָדַשׁ, qadash) - To make holy, set apart, purify, or dedicate. This emphasized the spiritual separation of the priests from the common and their dedication exclusively to God's service. It implies a state of ritual and moral purity, reflecting God's own holiness. The various ceremonies, including washing, clothing, anointing, and sacrifices, collectively achieved this sanctification, making them acceptable to approach and serve a holy God.
• that they may minister to Me: (Hebrew: כָּהַן, kāhan) - To perform the duties of a priest. This clearly states the ultimate purpose of their rigorous inauguration: service to God. Their role was not for personal gain or prestige but was exclusively focused on facilitating the worship of the Lord, interceding for the people, and performing the sacred rites.
• in the priest's office: Defines the specific function and sphere of their ministry. This was a unique role involving offering sacrifices, teaching the law, distinguishing between holy and common, clean and unclean, and bearing the burdens of the people before God. This office was strictly regulated and confined to the lineage of Aaron.

Exodus 28 41 Bonus section

The threefold description of "anoint, consecrate, and sanctify" not only outlines the initiation process for the Aaronic priesthood but also subtly delineates aspects of spiritual preparation often required for divine service. "Anointing" points to the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, crucial for any truly spiritual ministry. "Consecration" (filling the hands) speaks to the active impartation of authority and equipping for specific tasks, a theme echoed in the New Testament when apostles were "laid hands on." "Sanctification" speaks to the essential separation from commonness and dedication to God's holiness, a call for purity that precedes all acceptable service. While the Aaronic priesthood served its specific function under the Old Covenant, the principles embedded in their induction resonate throughout scripture concerning divine calling, enablement, and holiness for service to God, culminating in the priesthood of Christ and, by extension, the royal priesthood of all believers (1 Pet 2:9).

Exodus 28 41 Commentary

Exodus 28:41 encapsulates the critical step of transitioning from divine design (of garments and Tabernacle) to divine appointment of human mediators. It stresses that physical garments, though beautiful and symbolic, are insufficient for priestly service; a profound spiritual and ritualistic induction is also mandated by God. The trio of "anoint," "consecrate," and "sanctify" signifies distinct yet integrated acts, all necessary to establish legitimacy and fitness for sacred office. Anointing marked them as divinely chosen, consecrated (filling their hands) empowered them for their specific duties, and sanctification set them apart as holy vessels dedicated entirely to God. This comprehensive process underscored God's absolute holiness, the gravity of approaching Him, and the meticulous care required for worship. The explicit purpose "that they may minister to Me" highlights that their office existed for God's glory and the people's proper access to Him, rather than self-interest. This detailed establishment of the Old Covenant priesthood laid a foundational understanding of mediation, foreshadowing the infinitely more perfect and self-sanctified priesthood of Jesus Christ, who uniquely and eternally ministers to God on our behalf (Heb 7:27).