Exodus 40 13

Exodus 40:13 kjv

And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.

Exodus 40:13 nkjv

You shall put the holy garments on Aaron, and anoint him and consecrate him, that he may minister to Me as priest.

Exodus 40:13 niv

Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest.

Exodus 40:13 esv

and put on Aaron the holy garments. And you shall anoint him and consecrate him, that he may serve me as priest.

Exodus 40:13 nlt

Dress Aaron with the sacred garments and anoint him, consecrating him to serve me as a priest.

Exodus 40 verses

Exodus 40 13 Meaning

Exodus 40:13 instructs Moses to vest Aaron with sacred garments, anoint him with oil, and consecrate him for perpetual priestly service. This verse marks the culminating act of Aaron's induction into the high priestly office, signifying divine authorization, spiritual enablement, and dedication for mediating between God and His people, serving perpetually as High Priest. It establishes the visible and spiritual prerequisites for acceptable worship and sacred ministry in the tabernacle.

Exodus 40 13 Context

Exodus chapter 40 marks the culmination of the detailed instructions for constructing the Tabernacle, now completed and assembled. The preceding chapters (Exo 25-39) outline the blueprint, materials, and skilled workmanship involved in building God's dwelling place among Israel. With the Tabernacle finished on the first day of the first month in the second year after the Exodus, God commands Moses to consecrate it and all its furnishings (Exo 40:9-11), along with Aaron and his sons. Verse 13, therefore, falls within this grand act of consecration, specifically detailing Aaron's final preparations to assume his designated high priestly role. This act signifies the establishment of an organized, divinely ordained worship system for Israel, distinguishing Yahweh's sacred service from the common or pagan practices of surrounding nations, emphasizing God's meticulousness regarding His presence and approach.

Exodus 40 13 Word analysis

• And you shall put on: וְהִלְבַּשְׁתָּ (wəhilbaštā) – From the verb לָבַשׁ (lavash), meaning "to clothe" or "to put on." This Hifil imperfect verb emphasizes a causative action; Moses is to perform the act of vesting Aaron. It highlights divine command and human obedience, signifying formal investiture, a crucial part of appointment and transfer of authority.
• Aaron: אַהֲרֹן (ʾAharon) – The first high priest of Israel, designated by God. His appointment emphasizes divine selection over human merit.
• the holy garments: בִּגְדֵי הַקֹּדֶשׁ (bigdə hāqqōḏeš) – Literally "garments of holiness."
  • בִּגְדֵי (bigdə) - "garments," plural. Refers to the elaborate set of specific garments detailed in Exo 28, including the ephod, breastpiece, tunic, robe, turban, etc.
  • הַקֹּדֶשׁ (hāqqōḏeš) - "the holy" or "the holiness." Implies separation and dedication exclusively to God's service, distinguishing them from common clothing. They represented purity, authority, and the mediation required to approach a holy God. Their symbolism prefigures Christ's perfect righteousness and mediatorial role.
• and anoint him: וּמָשַׁחְתָּ אֹתוֹ (ûmāšaḥtā ʾotô) – From מָשַׁח (mashach), "to anoint" or "to rub with oil." This Qal perfect verb indicates a completed, definitive action. Anointing with special anointing oil (Exo 30:22-33) was a sacred act of consecration, setting someone apart for divine service. It symbolized the impartation of the Spirit or divine power and authority, analogous to kings and prophets later anointed. It represents a divine enablement for ministry.
• and sanctify him: וְקִדַּשְׁתָּ אֹתוֹ (wəqiddaštā ʾotô) – From קָדַשׁ (qadash), "to make holy" or "to set apart for sacred use." This Piel perfect verb emphasizes intensive and purposeful action, ensuring complete dedication and ritual purity. This sanctification isn't moral purification from sin at this point, but ritual dedication to God's service. It highlights that the priest must be distinct and purified to handle sacred things and approach God.
• that he may minister to me: וְכִהֵן לִי (wəkhīhēn lî) –
  • וְכִהֵן (wəkhīhēn) - From the root כָּהַן (kāhan), "to serve as a priest," "to perform priestly duties." This Piel perfect consecutive expresses purpose or consequence, meaning "so that he may serve" or "and he will serve." It implies a perpetual, continuous ministry.
  • לִי (lî) - "to Me" (referring to Yahweh). Emphasizes that the entire service is directed towards God, for His glory and according to His will, not for personal gain or human pleasure.
• in the priest's office: כְּהֻנָּה (kəhunnāh) – "priesthood" or "priest's office." This noun denotes the divine institution and function of the priestly role. It emphasizes the authorized, established nature of Aaron's calling, signifying not just a personal role but an institutional one, designed for the long-term mediation of covenant between God and Israel.

Words-group analysis:

• "And you shall put on Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him": This tripartite command outlines the three essential components of priestly ordination:
  1. Investiture (Garments): Visible identification with his office and its requirements (righteousness, purity).
  2. Anointing (Oil): Spiritual endowment and divine authorization for his work.
  3. Sanctification (Consecration): Ritual separation and dedication of the person for sacred use, ensuring he is set apart unto God.These actions are not mere formalities but divinely prescribed steps that empower Aaron to function legitimately in his sacred capacity. They transform Aaron from a common person into the High Priest of God.
• "that he may minister to me in the priest's office": This phrase articulates the ultimate purpose and result of the preceding actions. The goal of the garments, anointing, and sanctification is functional service (minister) directly for God's purposes (to me) within the divinely established framework (in the priest's office). This underlines that the office and its attendant preparations are always oriented towards God's will and worship. It signifies an enduring, formal, and authoritative ministry.

Exodus 40 13 Bonus section

The establishment of the priesthood here is perpetual, explicitly stated in Exodus 29:9: "and the priesthood shall be theirs for a permanent statute." This emphasizes the enduring nature of the office within the Old Covenant framework. The meticulous details underscore God's concern for how He is approached and worshipped. The commands reflect an underlying principle that service to God requires divine initiation, purity, and authorization, which resonates throughout the New Testament with the concept of the Priesthood of All Believers (1 Pet 2:9) where Christ's ultimate sacrifice provides spiritual access and empowerment, fulfilling the shadows of the Old Covenant system. The sacred items, rituals, and the priest's own person were to be set apart, demonstrating the profound reverence due to the God of Israel.

Exodus 40 13 Commentary

Exodus 40:13 is a pivotal verse in the priestly narrative, establishing the foundational requirements for an individual to serve as a High Priest in Israel. The three core commands—donning the holy garments, anointing with sacred oil, and spiritual sanctification—collectively represent a holistic transformation, separating Aaron from the common realm and dedicating him entirely to God's service. The holy garments (Exo 28) symbolize righteousness, purity, and the representative nature of the priest, bearing the names of Israel's tribes before the Lord. The anointing signifies divine enablement and authorization, a common biblical motif for empowering individuals for a divinely appointed task (prophets, kings). Sanctification underscores a thorough setting apart for God's exclusive use, making Aaron ceremonially clean and suitable for his sacred duties in God's presence. The purpose, "that he may minister to me in the priest's office," clarifies that all these preparatory acts are not for display, but for devoted and perpetual service to God Himself. This command initiated the Levitical priesthood, setting a standard for holiness and divine appointment necessary for approaching a holy God. Its detailed ritual underscored God's meticulousness and the seriousness of sin, pointing forward to the ultimate, perfect High Priest, Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled all requirements through His own divine anointing, perfectly righteous garments (His character), and ultimate self-sanctification (Jn 17:19) to offer Himself for His people.