Exodus 29:21 kjv

And thou shalt take of the blood that is upon the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be hallowed, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him.

Exodus 29:21 nkjv

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.

Exodus 29:21 niv

And take some blood from 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.

Exodus 29:21 esv

Then you shall take part of the blood that is on the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron and his garments, and on his sons and his sons' garments with him. He and his garments shall be holy, and his sons and his sons' garments with him.

Exodus 29:21 nlt

Then take some of the blood from the altar and some of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron and his sons and on their garments. In this way, they and their garments will be set apart as holy.

Exodus 29 verses

Exodus 29 21 Meaning

Exodus 29:21 details a pivotal moment in the ordination ceremony for Aaron and his sons as priests. It describes the precise act of taking the blood from the ram of consecration that was offered on the altar, combined with the specially prepared anointing oil, and ritually sprinkling them upon Aaron, his garments, his sons, and their garments. The direct and profound result of this action is their consecration, signifying that they and their priestly vestments are made holy and set apart exclusively for service to God. This ritual marks their divine appointment and enablement for their sacred office, making them ceremonially and spiritually pure for their unique mediatorial role between God and Israel.

Exodus 29 21 Context

Exodus 29 is entirely dedicated to the elaborate and detailed seven-day ordination ceremony for Aaron and his sons, establishing them as priests to minister before the Lord. This chapter follows chapters 25-28, which provided blueprints for the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the sacred priestly garments. The ritual described in verse 21 occurs after several sacrificial offerings (a bull for a sin offering and two rams, one for a burnt offering and another for consecration), and after the initial anointing of Aaron with oil (v. 7) and the specific application of blood from the ram of consecration onto the ear, thumb, and toe of Aaron and his sons (vv. 20). Verse 21, therefore, is the climax of this consecration, where the life-giving, atoning blood and the sanctifying, enabling oil are powerfully united and applied to completely set apart the priests and their instruments of office for their unique, holy service to God. This comprehensive sanctification underscored the gravity and purity required for those who would approach the divine presence on behalf of the people.

Exodus 29 21 Word analysis

• Then you shall take: Moses is divinely commanded to perform this action. As God's representative, he acts as the ordaining agent, underscoring the divine authority behind the establishment of the priesthood.
• some of the blood: This refers to the blood (Hebrew: dam, דָּם) from the "ram of consecration" mentioned in verse 19. Blood, throughout the Scriptures, uniquely represents life (Lev 17:11) and is central to atonement and purification rituals. Its application signifies life dedicated to God and the covering/cleansing from impurity necessary to approach a holy God.
• that is on the altar: The blood is taken from the altar, specifically the bronze altar of burnt offering (Exod 27:1-8). This indicates that the offering has been made to God, the sacrifice has been accepted, and the atoning power is now accessible for sanctification. The altar is the locus where God meets with His people through sacrifice.
• and some of the anointing oil: This refers to the holy anointing oil (Hebrew: shemen mishchah, שֶׁמֶן מִשְׁחָה), whose precise composition is given in Exod 30:22-25. It symbolizes divine election, enablement, and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, setting persons or objects apart exclusively for God's purposes. Its fragrant nature further denotes acceptability and divine pleasure.
• and sprinkle it: The Hebrew verb is hizzah (הִזָּה), a Hiphil form of nazah, meaning "to sprinkle, spatter." This is not a casual application but a deliberate, ritualistic act, signifying purification, cleansing, and pervasive consecration. The sprinkling indicates a complete and thorough dedication, permeating the very being and clothing of the priests.
• on Aaron and on his garments: Aaron is the first High Priest, representing the entire priestly office. His person and his unique, glorious garments (Exod 28) are made holy. The garments are integral to his identity and function, embodying the "glory and beauty" of his office (Exod 28:2). Sanctifying them signifies the purity required of every aspect of priestly service.
• and on his sons and on his sons’ garments: This extends the consecration to all succeeding priests, ensuring the purity and divine appointment of the entire priestly lineage. It establishes a corporate identity of holiness for all who serve in this office.
• and he shall be holy, he and his garments with his sons and his sons’ garments: This declares the ultimate result and purpose of the ritual. The Hebrew word qadosh (קָדוֹשׁ), "holy," means to be set apart, consecrated, distinct for sacred use. This ritual effectively transfers a state of holiness from God, through the accepted sacrifice and special anointing, to the priests and their official attire, rendering them fit for intimate and pure service in God's presence. Their entire professional identity and persona are consecrated.
• words-group: blood... and anointing oil: The combination of blood and oil is highly significant. Blood speaks of life, sacrifice, and atonement, addressing the need for purification from sin. Oil speaks of anointing, divine enablement, and the Spirit's power for service. Together, they signify a complete consecration: purified for fellowship and empowered for ministry. Without the purification of blood, one cannot stand; without the anointing of oil, one cannot properly serve.
• words-group: on Aaron and on his garments, and on his sons and on his sons’ garments: This indicates the comprehensive nature of the consecration. Not only the priests themselves but everything they wear as symbols of their office is rendered holy. This teaches that ministry involves not just one's inner state but also their public representation and adherence to divine standards. It highlights that the office, not just the individual, is set apart by God.

Exodus 29 21 Bonus section

• Typological Significance: The Old Testament priestly ordination serves as a profound type or foreshadowing. The application of blood (atonement) and oil (Holy Spirit) onto the priests perfectly prefigures Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice and His unique anointing by the Holy Spirit for His High Priestly ministry (Heb 9; Acts 10:38). Furthermore, it provides insight into the believer's spiritual consecration under the New Covenant: through Christ’s atoning blood we are purified, and by the Holy Spirit, we are indwelt, empowered, and set apart as God's "holy priesthood" (1 Pet 2:5).
• The garments' symbolism: The fact that the garments were consecrated along with the priests themselves highlights that the office, and the manner in which it is presented and executed, is equally sacred to the individual. The physical vestments symbolized the spiritual truths of their calling—purity, righteousness, authority, and divine beauty.
• Contrast with Purity Rites: Unlike some contemporary pagan rituals which sought to appease or manipulate deities, the Israelite consecration rites, particularly with the emphasis on specific blood and oil applications, were commanded by a holy God to create a people who could genuinely approach Him, based on His revealed character and covenant terms. They were a divine provision for bridging the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity through appointed mediators.

Exodus 29 21 Commentary

Exodus 29:21 concludes the physical acts of anointing and applying blood in the ordination ceremony, culminating in the priests and their garments being pronounced holy. This verse is deeply significant, illustrating God's meticulous care for the purity and holiness of those who would approach Him in service. The unique combination of sacrificial blood, representing life given for atonement and cleansing, and the anointing oil, signifying divine election and empowerment by the Spirit, reveals a twofold dimension of consecration: purification from sin and dedication for service. This act signifies that the priesthood is not self-appointed nor can it be engaged in through mere human will or effort; it requires divine authorization, purification, and enablement. This ritual prefigured the ultimate High Priesthood of Christ, whose own blood was shed not only to cleanse but also to inaugurate a new covenant, making possible the 'royal priesthood' of all believers (1 Pet 2:9). The application to the garments also reminds us that service to God encompasses all aspects of one's being and representation.