Exodus 40 14

Exodus 40:14 kjv

And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats:

Exodus 40:14 nkjv

And you shall bring his sons and clothe them with tunics.

Exodus 40:14 niv

Bring his sons and dress them in tunics.

Exodus 40:14 esv

You shall bring his sons also and put coats on them,

Exodus 40:14 nlt

Then present his sons and dress them in their tunics.

Exodus 40 verses

Exodus 40 14 Meaning

Exodus 40:14 outlines God's specific command for Moses to anoint Aaron's sons, following the same consecration ritual performed on their father. This act of anointing was essential for dedicating them to the service of God in the priest's office, thereby establishing a hereditary and perpetual priesthood for their lineage through all succeeding generations.

Exodus 40 14 Context

Exodus chapter 40 marks the triumphant culmination of the Tabernacle's construction and detailing its complete erection and anointing as commanded by the LORD. Verses 9-11 detail the anointing of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, sanctifying them. Verses 12-13 focus on the purification and anointing of Aaron as the High Priest. Immediately following, verse 14 extends this sacred ritual to Aaron's sons, installing them as priests. This final chapter of Exodus sets the stage for the book of Leviticus, which provides the detailed laws and rituals for the newly established priesthood and the worship system. Historically, this moment established the essential mediating institution of the priesthood, defining who could minister before God on behalf of Israel under the Mosaic Covenant, contrasting with other nation's priestly roles.

Exodus 40 14 Word analysis

• And thou shalt anoint them (וּמָשַׁחְתָּ אֹתָם, u'mashachta otam): The Hebrew word for "anoint" (מָשַׁח, mashach) signifies a deliberate act of smearing with oil, conveying consecration and setting apart for a sacred purpose. This was a divine command for specific individuals to be empowered and legitimized for a holy function. The anointing distinguished them as divinely appointed.
• as thou didst anoint their father (כַּאֲשֶׁר מָשַׁחְתָּ אֶת־אֲבִיהֶם, ka'asher mashachta et-avihim): This phrase emphasizes continuity and uniformity. The process of consecrating the sons was to replicate the sacred procedure applied to Aaron, highlighting the established divine pattern and authority being passed down. It ensured proper lineage and procedure.
• that they may minister unto me (וְכִהֲנוּ לִי, v'chihanu li): "Minister" comes from the root (כָּהַן, kahan), meaning "to serve as a priest." This directly states the purpose of their anointing: service to God. Their role was not merely titular but functional – performing sacred duties on God's behalf. This service involved mediation, offering sacrifices, teaching the law, and pronouncing blessings.
• in the priest's office (כְּהֻנַּת, kehunnat - from כְּהֻנָּה, kehunnah): This refers to the distinct divine institution or role of priesthood, an established and specific office. It denotes the function, duties, and authority pertaining to a priest.
• for their anointing (וְהָיְתָה מִשְׁחָתָם, v'haytah mishchatam): This clause identifies the act of anointing itself as the definitive source and validation of their priestly status. It signifies that their authority and legitimacy to minister derived directly from this divine consecration ritual.
• shall surely be an everlasting priesthood (כְּהֻנַּת עוֹלָם, kehunnath olam):
  • Everlasting (olam): While olam can mean "for an indefinite period" or "age-long," in covenantal contexts, especially concerning God's decrees, it conveys divine permanence or perpetual continuation within that covenant. Here, it signifies a divinely established duration, implying the priesthood's perpetuity through its ordained lineage. This priesthood was not temporary or arbitrary.
  • Priesthood (kehunnah): The very institution and function of the priest. The combination with olam stresses the enduring nature of this divinely instituted office.
• throughout their generations (לְדֹרֹתָם, l'dorotam): This phrase specifies the means by which the priesthood's "everlasting" nature would manifest: through their direct, physical descendants. It cemented the hereditary aspect, ensuring that future generations born into the designated lineage would continue this sacred office.

Exodus 40 14 Bonus section

• Typological Significance: The Aaronic priesthood, established here, serves as a crucial type pointing to Jesus Christ. While earthly priests were many and temporary (dying and needing successors), Christ is the one eternal High Priest after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7), who holds an unchangeable priesthood because He lives forever. Their repeated sacrifices pointed to His single, perfect, and all-sufficient sacrifice.
• The Symbolism of Oil: The anointing oil, specified earlier (Exo 30:22-33), represents the Holy Spirit and divine enablement. Thus, the anointing was not merely a ceremonial act but a conferral of spiritual power and divine sanctification necessary for priestly duties, foreshadowing the indwelling and empowering work of the Spirit for New Covenant ministry.
• Transition of Priesthood: While "everlasting" denotes perpetuity under the Old Covenant, the Old Testament often speaks of promises that found their ultimate and broadened fulfillment in Christ. The Aaronic priesthood was God's established order for a specific dispensation. With Christ's coming, the Priesthood shifts from a particular earthly lineage to a spiritual Priesthood of all believers (1 Pet 2:5, 9; Rev 1:6), who are called to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and service through Christ.
• The Uniqueness of God's Calling: The precise instructions and hereditary nature underscore that the Old Covenant priesthood was not a human invention but a divine institution, entered into by specific calling and ritual, not self-appointment. This emphasizes the gravity and sacredness of ministering before a holy God.

Exodus 40 14 Commentary

Exodus 40:14 is pivotal in establishing the formal, hereditary nature of the Aaronic priesthood within the Mosaic covenant. The divine command for the sons' anointing, paralleling Aaron's, signifies a transfer of authority and a divinely sanctioned succession. Their anointing served to consecrate and set them apart exclusively for "ministering unto me" – service to God. The declaration of "everlasting priesthood throughout their generations" highlights God's design for a permanent mediating class for Israel. While tied to a physical lineage, this permanence foreshadows the ultimate, singular, and eternal Priesthood of Jesus Christ. His spiritual "anointing" by the Holy Spirit fulfills and supersedes the shadowy Aaronic institution, establishing a true, spiritual, and truly "everlasting" priesthood for His people, composed of all believers in the New Covenant. This verse also implicitly underlines the absolute necessity of divine appointment and consecration for service in God's presence, reflecting God's holiness and order.