Exodus 29 32

Exodus 29:32 kjv

And Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram, and the bread that is in the basket by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Exodus 29:32 nkjv

Then Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram, and the bread that is in the basket, by the door of the tabernacle of meeting.

Exodus 29:32 niv

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.

Exodus 29:32 esv

And Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram and the bread that is in the basket in the entrance of the tent of meeting.

Exodus 29:32 nlt

Then Aaron and his sons will eat this meat, along with the bread in the basket, at the Tabernacle entrance.

Exodus 29 verses

Exodus 29 32 Meaning

Exodus 29:32 mandates that Aaron and his consecrated sons are to eat specific holy portions: the flesh of the ram used for their ordination and the unleavened bread from the basket of consecration offerings. This sacred meal is to be consumed in a specific location, by the door of the Tent of Meeting, signifying their full participation in their newly established priestly covenant with God and their dependence on His provision from the sacrifice for their sustenance and sacred role. It marks their acceptance and full integration into their holy office, embodying their fellowship with God.

Exodus 29 32 Context

Exodus chapter 29 details the elaborate ritual for consecrating Aaron and his sons for the high priesthood, a process central to establishing the Levitical priesthood. This involved specific washings, anointing, and sacrifices over a seven-day period. Verse 32 is a key instruction within this consecration, specifically concerning the handling and consumption of portions of the offerings—the ram of ordination (ayil ha-millu'im) and the basket of unleavened bread. This act of eating holy food was not merely sustenance; it was a ritual act of participation, fellowship, and symbolic integration into their consecrated roles, happening at the Tabernacle's entrance, the divinely appointed meeting place between God and Israel. Historically, such a detailed system sharply distinguished Israel's divine cult from the pagan practices of surrounding nations, which lacked specific, pure, and holy rituals prescribed by a singular God.

Exodus 29 32 Word analysis

• And (וְ - ve): A conjunction, linking this instruction to the preceding commands about the ram of ordination and the basket offerings.
• Aaron (אַהֲרֹן - Aharon): The first High Priest, chosen by God. His name likely means "mountain of strength" or "enlightened one." He represents the head of the hereditary priestly line, mediator between God and Israel.
• and his sons (וּבָנָיו - u'banav): Signifies the immediate family who are also being consecrated, establishing the hereditary nature of the priesthood for all future generations. Their shared consumption underscores their shared calling and sacred status.
• shall eat (יֹאכְלוּ - yokhelu): A direct divine command, emphasizing the obligatory nature of this ritual consumption. This is not a choice, but a requirement for their full consecration and proper functioning in their sacred office. The act of eating represents intimate participation in the sacrifice and covenant fellowship.
• the flesh (בָּשָׂר - basar): Refers specifically to the consecrated meat of the ram of ordination. Unlike common meat, this is set apart for God and is intrinsically holy, making its consumption a sacred act reserved only for the consecrated priests.
• of the ram (הָאֵיל - ha'ayil): Specifically "the ram of ordination" (ayil ha-millu'im). This ram signifies atonement, consecration, and reconciliation for the priests themselves. The act of eating connects them directly to the means of their cleansing and sanctification.
• and the bread (וְהַלֶּחֶם - vehalekhem): Refers to the unleavened bread, cakes, and wafers from the basket (Exod 29:23). Unleavened bread symbolizes purity, holiness, and the haste of the Exodus, aligning the priesthood's foundational identity with Israel's liberation and God's holiness. It represents sustenance and life derived from God's provision.
• that is in the basket (אֲשֶׁר בַּסָּל - asher ba'sal): Distinguishes this specific bread from any other, highlighting its dedicated nature within the ordination ceremony. The basket itself holds the symbols of God's sustenance and blessing.
• by the door (פֶּתַח - petach): The "entrance" or "opening." This specific location signifies the boundary between the sacred and the profane, and the priests' role at this threshold. It's the point of access and encounter, emphasizing their mediatorial role and their close proximity to the divine presence.
• of the tent of meeting (אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד - ohel mo'ed): The Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary where God manifested His presence and met with His people. Consuming the holy food at this sacred location emphasizes the holiness of the ritual and the divine sanction of their priesthood within God's dwelling place.

• "And Aaron and his sons shall eat": This phrase underlines the joint participation of the head priest and his designated successors, cementing their communal entry into a divinely ordained ministry. It signifies their acceptance of the consecration.
• "the flesh of the ram, and the bread": These specific items are holy and represent God's provision and the sacrifice through which their holiness is established. Their consumption makes the consecration tangible and effective.
• "by the door of the tent of meeting": This phrase emphasizes the precise location and its sacred significance. It's a liminal space, indicating their role as those who stand between God and the people, facilitating communion, right where God has promised to meet.

Exodus 29 32 Bonus section

The ram of ordination is known as the ayil ha-millu'im (literally "ram of fillings" or "ram of installations"). This term links to the act where Moses "filled the hands" of Aaron and his sons with parts of the offerings (Exod 29:24), symbolically empowering and installing them into their priestly office. The act of eating these filled portions further solidifies this installation. The ritual eating here is part of the "installation feast," a communal meal in God's presence. In the New Covenant, all believers are made "a royal priesthood" (1 Pet 2:9). While we do not eat literal sacrifices from the temple, the spiritual principle of partaking in Christ, the ultimate sacrifice and "bread of life," resonates deeply, through communion and abiding in Him. The Lord's Supper is a New Covenant meal that fosters fellowship with God and fellow believers, echoing themes of consecration, provision, and intimate communion.

Exodus 29 32 Commentary

Exodus 29:32 outlines a critical final step in the consecration of the Aaronic priesthood: the consumption of specific holy elements from their ordination offerings. This meal is far more than physical nourishment; it is a ritual of profound theological significance. By eating the ram's flesh and the consecrated bread, Aaron and his sons demonstrate their acceptance of their divine calling, physically integrate the symbols of their purification and provision, and enter into full covenant fellowship with the Lord. The act transforms these holy portions from mere offerings into means of intimate communion. The prescribed location, "by the door of the Tent of Meeting," signifies the holiness of the event and situates their priestly service precisely at the threshold of God's presence, underscoring their unique role as mediators who stand at the point of encounter between God and humanity. This instruction underscores the separation, sanctification, and divine sustenance necessary for the priesthood.