Exodus 29:22 kjv

Also thou shalt take of the ram the fat and the rump, and the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and the right shoulder; for it is a ram of consecration:

Exodus 29:22 nkjv

"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),

Exodus 29:22 niv

"Take from this ram the fat, the fat tail, the fat on the internal organs, the long lobe of the liver, both kidneys with the fat on them, and the right thigh. (This is the ram for the ordination.)

Exodus 29:22 esv

"You shall also take the fat from the ram and the fat tail and the fat that covers the entrails, and the long lobe of the liver and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them, and the right thigh (for it is a ram of ordination),

Exodus 29:22 nlt

"Since this is the ram for the ordination of Aaron and his sons, take the fat of the ram, including the fat of the broad tail, the fat around the internal organs, the long lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys and the fat around them, along with the right thigh.

Exodus 29 verses

Exodus 29 22 Meaning

Exodus 29:22 details specific, select fatty portions of the second ram, designated as "the ram of ordination," that were to be taken and presented to the Lord as a burnt offering during the elaborate consecration ceremony for Aaron and his sons as priests. These portions included the fat tail, the fat covering the entrails, the appendage of the liver, the two kidneys with their fat, and the right thigh. This instruction underscored the divine ownership of the choicest parts and symbolized the total dedication and vitality offered in the process of consecrating the Aaronic priesthood.

Exodus 29 22 Context

Exodus 29 details the elaborate ritual for consecrating Aaron and his sons to serve as priests, thereby establishing the Aaronic priesthood for Israel. This chapter moves from the construction of the Tabernacle to the formal induction of those who would serve within it. The entire process emphasizes the sanctity, separation, and purification required to approach a holy God. Verse 22 specifically describes elements of the sacrifice of the second ram, referred to as the "ram of ordination" or "consecration." This was distinct from the sin offering and burnt offering; its purpose was solely to induct and authorize the priests for service, symbolizing their complete devotion to the Lord. Historically, while other ancient Near Eastern cultures practiced sacrifices, the detailed precision, the clean/unclean distinctions, and the explicit dedication of fat solely to Yahweh uniquely marked Israel's covenant relationship and underscored the singular holiness of God.

Exodus 29 22 Word analysis

• "take" (לָקַח - laqach): Implies a precise action, a command to select specific items. It's not a suggestion but a directive for ritual accuracy.
• "from the ram" (מִן־הָאֵיל - min ha'ayil): Specifies the animal: a ram. This ram is distinct, designated as "the ram of ordination" later in the verse. The ram, being a strong male sheep, might symbolize the strength required for priestly service or the robust offering.
• "the fat tail" (וְאֵלָיָה - v’alayah): The broad, fatty tail of certain Near Eastern sheep breeds (like the fat-tailed sheep). This was considered a delicacy and the richest, most valuable part. Offering it signified giving the best and the most valued part to God, symbolizing abundance and a full offering.
• "the fat that covers the entrails" (וְהַחֵלֶב אֲשֶׁר מְכַסֶּה אֶת־הַקֶּרֶב - v’ha’chelev asher mechas'eh et-haqqerev): Chelev (חֵלֶב) refers to internal fat. This fat, surrounding the digestive organs, was explicitly designated as the Lord's portion in all Israelite sacrifices (Lev 3:16-17). It represented the vitality, inner essence, and life force of the animal, wholly dedicated to God. Eating it was forbidden.
• "the appendage of the liver" (וְאֵת יֹתֶרֶת הַכָּבֵד - v’et yoteret hakkaved): Yoteret (יוֹתֶרֶת) specifically refers to the caudate lobe of the liver, or the fatty caul/diaphragm connected to it. In some ancient cultures, the liver was used for divination, but here it is purified and offered to God, emphasizing His sovereignty over all life and knowledge, and rejecting pagan practices. The liver is a vital organ for life, symbolizing an offering from the innermost being.
• "the two kidneys" (וְאֵת שְׁתֵּי הַכְּלָיֹת - v’et shte hayyom kelayot): Kelayot (כְּלָיֹת) refers to kidneys. In biblical thought, kidneys (often translated as "reins") are associated with the deepest inner thoughts, emotions, affections, and moral conscience (e.g., Ps 7:9, Jer 17:10). Offering the kidneys implied offering one's deepest motives, desires, and entire moral self to God.
• "with the fat that is on them" (וְאֶת־הַחֵלֶב אֲשֶׁר עֲלֵהֶן - v’et-hachelev asher aleihen): Reinforces that the fat connected to these organs is also included, further emphasizing the giving of the most valued and life-sustaining parts to God.
• "the right thigh" (וְאֵת שׁוֹק הַיָּמִין - v’et shok hayyamin): The right leg, specifically the thigh. The "right" side often symbolizes strength, blessing, and honor in biblical culture. While this part typically became the priest's portion after a wave offering (Lev 7:32-34), here it is explicitly listed as a portion to be taken from the ram, indicating its importance in the offering sequence for consecration before being potentially returned.
• "(for it is a ram of ordination)" (כִּי אֵיל מִלֻּאִים הוּא - ki eyl millu'im hu): Millu'im (מִלֻּאִים) means "fillings," referring to the "filling of the hands" during the installation or consecration ceremony. This parenthetical explanation underscores the unique purpose of this ram: it is not for general atonement but specifically for inaugurating and empowering the priests, commissioning them into service.

Exodus 29 22 Bonus section

The specific detailing of which parts to offer from the animal (fat tail, entrails, liver appendage, kidneys, right thigh) goes beyond mere caloric content; it speaks to the holistic nature of the offering. The "fat" universally represented richness and vitality, a suitable portion for the Divine. The internal organs—liver and kidneys—are biblically associated not just with physical life but with the seat of the soul, emotions, conscience, and deep wisdom. By requiring these specific portions, the ritual implies that the very inner being and core vitality of the priests (represented by the animal's life) are consecrated to God. This foreshadows a New Testament truth where believers are called to offer themselves as living sacrifices (Rom 12:1), yielding not just their external actions but their deepest thoughts, emotions, and aspirations to Christ. The ordination of priests in the Old Covenant prefigures the "royal priesthood" of all believers in the New Covenant (1 Pet 2:9), called to present their whole selves as acceptable to God.

Exodus 29 22 Commentary

Exodus 29:22 is a precise divine directive for the consecration of priests. The selection of specific fatty parts and vital organs from the ram of ordination signifies a complete dedication of the best and the innermost vitality to God. Fat, the most caloric and richest part, belonged exclusively to the Lord, symbolizing His claim on the highest and purest offerings. The inclusion of the fat tail, liver's appendage, and kidneys points to the offering of prosperity, inner life, and deepest thoughts/emotions. This ritual ensured that those entering sacred service understood the profound demand for wholeness and unreserved surrender to the Divine. It underscores the biblical principle that genuine worship and service require offering not just a portion, but the very essence of what one possesses and is, consecrated entirely to God's purpose. The entire process of the ram of ordination points to God's setting apart individuals for sacred tasks, demanding their complete being in service to Him.