Leviticus 8 29

Leviticus 8:29 kjv

And Moses took the breast, and waved it for a wave offering before the LORD: for of the ram of consecration it was Moses' part; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Leviticus 8:29 nkjv

And Moses took the breast and waved it as a wave offering before the LORD. It was Moses' part of the ram of consecration, as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Leviticus 8:29 niv

Moses also took the breast, which was his share of the ordination ram, and waved it before the LORD as a wave offering, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Leviticus 8:29 esv

And Moses took the breast and waved it for a wave offering before the LORD. It was Moses' portion of the ram of ordination, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Leviticus 8:29 nlt

Then Moses took the breast and lifted it up as a special offering to the LORD. This was Moses' portion of the ram of ordination, just as the LORD had commanded him.

Leviticus 8 verses

Leviticus 8 29 Meaning

Leviticus 8:29 details Moses' specific action during the ordination ceremony of Aaron and his sons. It records him taking the breast portion of the ram designated for the ordination offering and presenting it to the Lord as a "wave offering." The verse explicitly clarifies that this breast became Moses' designated portion from this particular ram, precisely as the Lord had commanded him. This act completed a crucial step in the consecration of the Levitical priesthood, highlighting adherence to divine instructions for sacred rituals and the provision for those who mediate for God's people.

Leviticus 8 29 Context

Leviticus Chapter 8 describes in detail the seven-day ordination ceremony of Aaron and his sons to the priesthood, an event commanded by God to Moses. This elaborate ritual served to consecrate them and set them apart for holy service at the tabernacle. Moses performs all the actions meticulously, from anointing Aaron and his sons with oil to offering various sacrifices: a sin offering for cleansing, a burnt offering for dedication, and the ram of ordination for empowerment and filling their hands for service.

Verse 29 is part of the sequence dealing with the "ram of ordination" (Lev 8:22-29). Earlier, specific parts of this ram, including the breast, were placed in the hands of Aaron and his sons along with unleavened bread and a wafer (Lev 8:26-27), then removed and waved by Moses before being burned upon the burnt offering (Lev 8:28). This signifies the complete consecration and setting apart of the priests. However, the breast of this specific ram was not entirely burnt, as was typical for wave offerings. Instead, as 8:29 explains, it was presented as a wave offering but then became Moses' personal share. This highlights a deviation from the usual practice for ordination sacrifices, making a specific provision for Moses as the one instituting the priesthood.

Historically and culturally, this entire ceremony established the foundation of Israelite worship, distinguishing it sharply from pagan practices. In the Ancient Near East, cultic acts were often arbitrary or influenced by human whim. Here, Yahweh's commands are precise and non-negotiable, emphasizing divine authority over human ingenuity in worship. The explicit detail regarding each part of the sacrifice and its disposal reinforced purity, holiness, and the distinction between the sacred and the profane, directly challenging the chaotic and often immoral rituals of surrounding nations.

Leviticus 8 29 Word analysis

• Moses (מֹשֶׁה - Mosheh): The primary figure through whom God's laws are revealed and executed for Israel. In this context, Moses acts as the divinely appointed agent to establish the Aaronic priesthood, performing the very first priestly acts, demonstrating absolute fidelity to divine command.
• then took (לָקַח - laqach): Indicates a deliberate physical action. Moses, in his role as mediator and executor of God's commands, physically handles the sacred objects according to the ritual.
• the breast (הֶחָזֶה - he-chazeh): This refers to the brisket, a portion of the animal consistently designated in Israelite sacrifice. For most peace (fellowship) offerings, the breast was typically the portion waved and given to the priests for their sustenance (Lev 7:30-34). Its specific allocation to Moses here signifies a unique priestly entitlement or prerogative given to him in the foundational act of establishing the priesthood.
• and waved it (וַיָּנֶף אֹתוֹ - vay-yanef oto): To perform the act of tenufah, the "wave offering." This ritual movement, a horizontal back-and-forth motion, symbolizes presenting the offering fully to the Lord, acknowledging His ownership of all things, and then receiving it back as His gift or portion. It signifies a divine transaction and bestowal of what God has first received.
• for a wave offering (תְּנוּפָה - tenufah): The specific technical term for this category of offering. Unlike burnt offerings that were completely consumed, or sin offerings where specific parts were burnt, the wave offering had a portion returned, primarily for the priests' consumption, underscoring God's provision for His servants.
• before the Lord (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה - lifney YHVH): Denotes that the act is performed in the very presence of God, before His altar, and in the sanctuary where His presence dwells. It underscores the sanctity, solemnity, and divine reception of the offering.
• it was Moses’ share (לְמֹשֶׁה הָיָה לְמָנָה - le-Mosheh hayah le-manah): Manah means a "portion" or "allotment." This is a crucial clarification. Although Moses is not a consecrated Aaronic priest, this specific part of the ordination ram is designated for him. This emphasizes his unique, temporary, and foundational role in initiating the priesthood and executing God's very specific instructions, even receiving priestly portions himself for this initial act.
• of the ram of ordination (מֵאֵיל הַמִּלֻּאִים - me-eil ha-millu'im): Literally, "ram of the fillings" or "ram of consecration." This specific sacrifice was unique to the ordination ceremony, distinct from standard sin, burnt, or peace offerings. It symbolized the "filling of the hands" of the priests, equipping and empowering them for their sacred duties (Exod 29:22-26, Lev 8:22).
• as the Lord commanded Moses (כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה אֶת מֹשֶׁה - ka'asher tziwwah YHVH et Mosheh): This recurring phrase emphasizes divine authorship and human obedience. It authenticates the entire ritual, reinforcing that the detailed, meticulous process is not human invention but divine imperative, ensuring legitimacy, purity, and effectiveness for generations.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Moses then took the breast and waved it for a wave offering": This sequence highlights Moses' direct and obedient action, carrying out the precise ritual movements. It's a foundational act for establishing the Aaronic priesthood, underscoring that the priestly portions and ceremonies are rooted in divine instruction and are not self-derived.
• "before the Lord; it was Moses’ share of the ram of ordination": The "before the Lord" specifies the divine audience and purpose. The clarification of it being "Moses’ share" is vital; it distinguishes this act from subsequent routine priestly duties, where the priests would receive these portions. Here, Moses, as God's representative for initiation, receives it. The "ram of ordination" contextualizes this unique act within the setting apart of the priesthood.
• "as the Lord commanded Moses": This concluding phrase provides the ultimate validation and justification for every detail of the ceremony. It reaffirms the divine origin and authority behind every aspect of tabernacle worship and priestly function, preventing any human improvisation or challenge to its legitimacy. It underpins the entire Levitical system with divine sovereignty.

Leviticus 8 29 Bonus section

• The Uniqueness of Moses' Role: Moses, being from the tribe of Levi but not of Aaron's priestly line, uniquely performs priestly functions only during the establishment phase of the Mosaic covenant and the Tabernacle rituals. After this ordination ceremony, these priestly duties are solely vested in Aaron and his male descendants. This highlights Moses' exceptional authority as the Lawgiver and initial mediator, whose commissioning directly precedes the established Aaronic priesthood.
• Symbolism of the Wave Offering: The horizontal "waving" motion differentiated this offering from the "heave offering" (vertical lift), though both represented something presented to God and then "lifted off" or returned for the priests. This visual ritual emphasized that the offering first belongs to God, and only by His decree is a portion then given for the priests' use, reinforcing that all provision comes from Him.
• Provision for Service: The ongoing principle seen in these detailed laws is God's provision for those set apart to serve Him. Just as the priests lived by their portions from the offerings (Num 18), the New Testament affirms the principle that those who minister the spiritual are supported by the physical (1 Cor 9).
• Antitypical Significance: The entire detailed sacrificial system, including the wave offerings and priestly portions, pointed forward to Christ. While the Levitical priests lived on physical portions from animal sacrifices, Christ's priesthood is eternal and perfected, and those who serve Him partake in spiritual sustenance derived from His once-for-all sacrifice and resurrection. The very detailed obedience of Moses serves as a template for Christ's perfect obedience in establishing a New Covenant.

Leviticus 8 29 Commentary

Leviticus 8:29 brings to a close a crucial part of the ordination rites for Aaron and his sons. The breast of the ram of ordination, previously presented for the ordination, is here returned to Moses, solidifying his unique role as the primary intermediary through whom God establishes His covenant and institutions. The "wave offering" ritual visually portrays the consecration and presentation of the offering to God, symbolizing His ownership and acceptance. Subsequently, God designates a portion back, signifying His gracious provision for His ministering servants.

For this specific ordination ram, the breast becoming "Moses’ share" is highly significant. Normally, after the priesthood is established, such portions would go to the consecrated priests themselves as their due. However, during this seven-day foundational ceremony, Moses acts as the ultimate administrator, initiating the covenant between God and Israel through the Tabernacle's operation and the priesthood. His receipt of the breast symbolizes both God's provision for His faithful servant Moses, and importantly, sets a precedent for the sustenance of priests by their God-given portions, even though Moses himself was not a priest from Aaron's lineage. It reinforces that all aspects of worship, from the sacrifice itself to the sustenance of its administrators, flow from and depend on God's specific commands and generous provision. This precise fulfillment of God's instruction underscores the seriousness of adhering to God's ordained patterns for worship and service, foreshadowing the divine appointment and perfect sacrifice of the true High Priest, Jesus Christ.