Leviticus 8 25

Leviticus 8:25 kjv

And he took the fat, and the rump, and all the fat that was upon the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and their fat, and the right shoulder:

Leviticus 8:25 nkjv

Then he took the fat and the fat tail, all the fat that was on the entrails, the fatty lobe attached to the liver, the two kidneys and their fat, and the right thigh;

Leviticus 8:25 niv

After that, he took the fat, the fat tail, all the fat around the internal organs, the long lobe of the liver, both kidneys and their fat and the right thigh.

Leviticus 8:25 esv

Then he took the fat and the fat tail and all the fat that was on the entrails and the long lobe of the liver and the two kidneys with their fat and the right thigh,

Leviticus 8:25 nlt

Next Moses took the fat, 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.

Leviticus 8 verses

Leviticus 8 25 Meaning

Leviticus 8:25 describes specific animal fats, internal organs, the right thigh from the ram of consecration, and three types of unleavened bread being taken by Moses. These elements were precisely chosen to be placed into the hands of Aaron and his sons as part of their priestly ordination ritual. This act, known as "filling their hands" (Milu'im in Hebrew), symbolized the imparting of priestly authority, the taking of their divine commission, and their dedication to service before the Lord.

Leviticus 8 25 Context

Leviticus chapter 8 details the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests, as commanded by the LORD to Moses in Exodus 29. This ceremony marked the formal induction of the Levitical priesthood into service at the newly constructed Tabernacle. The chapter systematically describes the various elements of the ritual: washing, anointing with oil, dressing in priestly garments, and performing specific sacrifices for consecration. Verse 25 occurs during the presentation of the ram of consecration, a critical sacrifice for the "filling of the hands" ceremony. This elaborate and precise ritual underscored the sanctity and high demands of their office, highlighting the necessity of divine appointment and purification for approaching the holy God of Israel on behalf of the people. It served as the foundation for all future priestly ministry, setting the standard for purity, dedication, and strict adherence to God's commands.

Leviticus 8 25 Word analysis

• And he took (וַיִּקַּח - va-yiq-qaḥ): Hebrew imperfect with waw-consecutive, indicating sequential action. The subject is Moses, the officiant chosen by God to perform this consecration. This verb implies Moses physically took the designated items from the ram and the basket.
• the fat (הַחֵלֶב - ha-ḥê-lev): This refers to specific fatty parts of the animal sacrifice. In ancient Israelite worship, the fat (specifically internal fat and certain designated fatty portions, not simply external adipose tissue) was considered the "Lord's portion" (Lev 3:16) – the best and most vital part, dedicated exclusively to God as a symbol of prosperity and the richness of the offering. Burning the fat released its aroma heavenward.
• and the fat tail (וְהָאַלְיָה - vᵉ-hā-’al-yāh): A specific, prized part of certain sacrificial animals (especially the fat-tailed sheep prevalent in the Middle East). It was considered a delicacy and was part of the fat dedicated to the Lord.
• and all the fat (וְאֶת-כָּל-הַחֵלֶב - vᵉ-’eṯ-kāl-ha-ḥê-lev) that was upon the entrails (אֲשֶׁר עַל-הַקֶּרֶב - ’ă-šer ‘al-haq-qe-rev): Emphasizes the completeness of the fat offering, including all that covered the internal organs, signifying dedication of the whole innermost being.
• and the fatty lobe of the liver (וְאֵת יֹתֶרֶת הַכָּבֵד - vᵉ-’êṯ yō-ṯe-reṯ hak-kā-ḇêḏ): This refers to the specific fatty appendage of the liver. The liver was considered vital for life and an important organ in ancient sacrificial contexts, even pagan ones. Here, it is part of the specific portions consecrated to God.
• and the two kidneys (וְאֵת שְׁתֵּי הַכְּלָיוֹת - vᵉ-’êṯ šə-tê hak-kə-lā-yōwṯ) and their fat (וְאֶת-חֶלְבָּהּ - vᵉ-’eṯ-ḥel-bāh): Kidneys were often associated with the seat of affections, counsel, or inner emotions in Hebrew thought (e.g., Ps 73:21; Jer 17:10). Their inclusion, particularly the fat surrounding them, reinforced the dedication of the innermost being to God.
• and the right thigh (וְאֵת שׁוֹק הַיָּמִין - vᵉ-’êṯ šōwq hay-yā-mîm): The right thigh was often considered the portion for the priest from a peace offering (Lev 7:32-34) due to its substantial nature. Here, in the context of the ram of consecration, it becomes part of the elements taken by Moses for the "filling of hands" ceremony, eventually being burned upon the altar with the other parts. The "right" side often signifies strength, prominence, and blessing.
• according to the ram of consecration (מֵאֵיל הַמִּלֻּאִים - mê-’êl ham-mil-lu-’îm): This phrase specifies the animal as the "ram of the filling of the hands." "Milu'im" literally means "fillings," referring to the act of filling the hands of the priests with specific sacrificial portions, signifying their installation into office and reception of divine authority.
• and one unleavened cake (וְלֶחֶם חַלָּה אַחַת - vᵉ-le-ḥem ḥal-lāh ’a-ḥaṯ): Unleavened bread (matzah) symbolized purity and quick departure (as in the Exodus). It indicated the absence of corruption (leaven often represented sin or decay in the Bible) and a readiness to serve without delay or human influence.
• and a cake of oiled bread (וְחַלַּת לֶחֶם שֶׁמֶן - vᵉ-ḥal-laṯ le-ḥem šem-men): Bread mixed or covered with oil, signifying anointing or dedication, much like the anointing oil on Aaron. Oil often symbolizes the Holy Spirit and sanctification in biblical contexts.
• and one wafer (וְרָקִיק אֶחָד - vᵉ-rā-qîq ’e-ḥāḏ): A very thin, crisp cake, also unleavened. Its simplicity might represent humility or the fragility of human nature when confronting God's holiness, yet made holy through consecration.
• out of the basket of unleavened bread that was before the LORD (מִסַּל הַמַּצּוֹת אֲשֶׁר לִפְנֵי יְהוָה - mis-sal ham-maṣ-ṣōṯ ’ă-šer li-fə-nê Yah-weh): The phrase "before the LORD" denotes its sacredness and proper positioning in the Tabernacle. It signifies that these items were already consecrated or set apart by their placement, making them suitable for this pivotal ritual.

• The fat, the fat tail, and all the fat that was upon the entrails, and the fatty lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys and their fat: These precise portions of fat, along with certain organs, consistently appear in peace offerings and purification offerings as the parts specifically dedicated to God. Their selection emphasizes God's claim on the "best" and vital parts of the sacrifice, symbolizing the totality and innermost dedication required in His service. This prefigures the complete giving of Christ's life.
• According to the ram of consecration (Milu'im): This phrase distinguishes this ram from other sacrifices. The "filling of the hands" (Milu'im) ritual itself is foundational to priestly installation, empowering them for service and highlighting the reciprocal action of receiving the items from God through Moses, then offering them back to God.
• One unleavened cake, and a cake of oiled bread, and one wafer: These bread items symbolize different aspects of purity, dedication, and sustenance inherent in the priestly office. Unleavened bread points to purity from sin and haste; oiled bread signifies anointing and spiritual empowerment.

Leviticus 8 25 Bonus section

The Hebrew term "Milu'im" (מִלֻּאִים), translated as "consecration" in "ram of consecration," literally means "fillings." This highlights the central action of the ordination ceremony: filling the hands of the priests with specific parts of the sacrifice. This act not only symbolized their installation but also implied empowerment and enablement for service, emphasizing that the priests' authority and function came directly from God, facilitated through Moses. Unlike other offerings, these specific parts of the ram of consecration were entirely dedicated to God by being burned on the altar after the "filling of hands" and waving ceremony, demonstrating the absolute self-giving required of the priests and, ultimately, foreshadowing Christ's full offering of Himself for humanity.

Leviticus 8 25 Commentary

Leviticus 8:25 is a detailed instruction within the momentous ordination of the first priests of Israel, Aaron and his sons. Moses meticulously follows divine command, taking specific, valuable parts from the "ram of consecration"—its most desirable fats, select organs, and the right thigh—alongside three distinct types of unleavened bread from a basket set before the Lord. This collection of items was not arbitrary; each piece carried symbolic weight. The fat, designated as God's portion, underscored the idea that the "best" belonged to Him, emphasizing purity, prosperity, and the life essence offered fully. The unleavened breads, being free from leaven (often symbolic of sin or corruption), reinforced the absolute purity required of those ministering in God's presence.

This act was preparatory to the crucial "filling of the hands" ceremony, where Moses placed these elements into the hands of the soon-to-be priests (v. 27). This signified their formal investiture with authority, the commissioning into their sacred office, and their readiness to serve. By physically holding these consecrated items, they ritually accepted the duties and holiness of the priesthood, acknowledging that their entire service, symbolized by the rich and pure offerings, belonged entirely to God. This comprehensive ritual impressed upon Aaron and his sons, and the witnessing Israelites, the seriousness, sanctity, and divine origin of the priesthood, pointing to the perfection and complete offering of the Lord Jesus Christ who would ultimately fulfill all such requirements as our High Priest.