Exodus 29:3 kjv

And thou shalt put them into one basket, and bring them in the basket, with the bullock and the two rams.

Exodus 29:3 nkjv

You shall put them in one basket and bring them in the basket, with the bull and the two rams.

Exodus 29:3 niv

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

Exodus 29:3 esv

You shall put them in one basket and bring them in the basket, and bring the bull and the two rams.

Exodus 29:3 nlt

Place them all in a single basket, and present them at the entrance of the Tabernacle, along with the young bull and the two rams.

Exodus 29 verses

Exodus 29 3 Meaning

Exodus 29:3 specifies a divine command regarding the preparation of offerings for the ordination of Aaron and his sons into the priesthood. It instructs that the various unleavened bread, cakes, and wafers, detailed in the previous verse, must be placed together in a single basket. This basket, containing the specific bread offerings, is then to be presented alongside a bullock and two rams, which are also part of the consecration ritual. The verse underscores the precise order and unified presentation required for these sacred elements to be acceptable for God's holy purpose.

Exodus 29 3 Context

Exodus chapter 29 outlines the specific and detailed process for consecrating Aaron and his sons for priestly service to the Lord. This elaborate seven-day ritual follows the completion of the Tabernacle's construction, providing the divinely ordained means for holy individuals to minister within the holy space. Verse 3 is an early instruction within this comprehensive ordination, detailing the preparation and presentation of one of the key sets of offerings – the bread items. Historically, many ancient Near Eastern cultures had priestly classes and rituals for divine service, but Israel's system was uniquely set forth by divine revelation, emphasizing holiness, meticulous adherence to God's commands, and the unique covenant relationship between Yahweh and His people. This distinction served as a direct polemic against the arbitrary, often idolatrous, and syncretistic practices of surrounding nations, asserting God's sole authority in matters of worship and access to His presence.

Exodus 29 3 Word analysis

• And thou shalt put (וְשַׂמְתָּ, wəśamttā): This verb "שׂוּם" (śūm) means to put, place, set, or appoint. The imperative form here emphasizes a direct divine command, indicating that this action is not optional but a precise requirement established by God Himself for the ritual. It conveys intentionality and divine direction.
• them (אֹתָם, ’ōtām): Refers to the specific "unleavened bread, cakes of unleavened bread mingled with oil, and wafers of unleavened bread anointed with oil" detailed in Exodus 29:2. This emphasizes that only these specified items are to be included, ensuring purity and adherence to divine instruction.
• into one basket (אֶל־סַל אֶחָד, ’el-sal ’eḥāḏ):
  • basket (סַל, sal): A container, typically made of woven branches or reeds, designed for holding produce or prepared food. In this ritual, it signifies an organized, specific vessel for sacred offerings, setting them apart.
  • one (אֶחָד, ’eḥāḏ): Denotes unity and singularity. All the distinct bread items must be gathered into a single, cohesive unit for presentation, signifying a complete and unified offering, and emphasizing order in worship.
• and bring them in the basket (וְהִקְרַבְתָּ אֹתָם בַּסָּל, wəhiqrabtā ’ōtām bassāl):
  • bring (וְהִקְרַבְתָּ, wəhiqrabtā): From the root "קָרַב" (qārab), meaning to draw near, approach, or present an offering. It denotes a deliberate act of presenting something to God in a sacred context, signifying a drawing near in worship.
  • in the basket (בַּסָּל, bassāl): Repetition of the "basket" highlights the prescribed method of carrying and presenting these items. It reinforces the importance of the vessel's role in the ritual.
• with the bullock (וְאֶת־הַפָּר, wə’eṯ-hapr): Refers to the bullock designated for the sin offering (v. 10). The inclusion with the bread items shows a combination of atonement (animal sacrifice) and dedication/sustenance (bread offerings) as integral to consecration.
• and the two rams (וְאֵת שְׁנֵי הָאֵילִם, wə’êṯ šnê hā’êlîm): Refers to the first ram for a burnt offering (v. 15) and the second for the ram of consecration (v. 19). These animals represent complete dedication and the specific setting apart of the priests.

Words-group analysis

• "And thou shalt put them into one basket, and bring them in the basket": This phrase emphasizes divine exactitude. The offerings are not to be presented haphazardly but assembled into a unified collection within a specified vessel. This conveys order, preparedness, and the sacred nature of the items and their presentation before the Lord. It signifies that God dictates the terms of worship.
• "with the bullock and the two rams": This grouping highlights the composite nature of the consecration ceremony. The bread offerings (representing sustenance and human contribution, free from leaven to symbolize purity and separation from sin) are presented together with the animal sacrifices (representing atonement, burnt offering of dedication, and the ram of consecration). This demonstrates that multifaceted offerings were necessary for a complete priestly induction – aspects of atonement, full dedication, and the "food of God" (bloodless offerings) all in unity.

Exodus 29 3 Bonus section

The ritual presented in Exodus 29, including the detailed instructions of verse 3, served as a foundational type. The meticulousness prefigures the absolute perfection required for the ultimate sacrifice—Christ Jesus. The "basket" containing unified bread items, alongside distinct animals for atonement and consecration, speaks to the completeness and multi-faceted nature of Christ's work: He is the "Bread of Life" (Jn 6:35) given for the world, symbolizing sustenance and the very essence of spiritual life. Simultaneously, He is the ultimate Sin Offering (Heb 9:28) and Burnt Offering (Eph 5:2), dedicating Himself wholly to God, perfectly fulfilling all aspects prefigured by these Old Testament sacrifices. The emphasis on "unleavened" purity points directly to Christ's sinlessness and the purity required for acceptable approach to God, now found in Him. The specific instructions here reinforce that all valid access to God's presence, then and now, must be according to His appointed means, culminating in Christ.

Exodus 29 3 Commentary

Exodus 29:3 provides a microcosm of God's character and His requirements for worship and service. The meticulous instruction for gathering the specified bread offerings "into one basket" before presenting them "with the bullock and the two rams" highlights the divine emphasis on order, specificity, and holiness in all things pertaining to His presence. This act was not a casual assembly but a precisely ordered preparatory step for the momentous ordination of the Levitical priesthood. The basket ensured that the pure, unleavened elements—symbolizing purity and readiness (reminiscent of the haste of the Passover egress)—were kept distinct and presented uniformly. The joint presentation of bloodless offerings (bread) and bloody sacrifices (animals) underscored the dual necessities for approaching a holy God: atonement for sin and wholehearted dedication, along with a symbolic offering of "food" for the Lord. This precision serves as a timeless principle: acceptable worship and service to God are founded upon obedience to His revealed will, rather than human innovation or convenience. It speaks to the gravity and sanctity of divine matters.