Leviticus 8 30

Leviticus 8:30 kjv

And Moses took of the anointing oil, and of the blood which was upon the altar, and sprinkled it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon his sons' garments with him; and sanctified Aaron, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him.

Leviticus 8:30 nkjv

Then Moses took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood which was on the altar, and sprinkled it on Aaron, on his garments, on his sons, and on the garments of his sons with him; and he consecrated Aaron, his garments, his sons, and the garments of his sons with him.

Leviticus 8:30 niv

Then Moses took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood from the altar and sprinkled them on Aaron and his garments and on his sons and their garments. So he consecrated Aaron and his garments and his sons and their garments.

Leviticus 8:30 esv

Then Moses took some of the anointing oil and of the blood that was on the altar and sprinkled it on Aaron and his garments, and also on his sons and his sons' garments. So he consecrated Aaron and his garments, and his sons and his sons' garments with him.

Leviticus 8:30 nlt

Next Moses took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood that was on the altar, and he sprinkled them on Aaron and his garments and on his sons and their garments. In this way, he made Aaron and his sons and their garments holy.

Leviticus 8 verses

Leviticus 8 30 Meaning

Leviticus 8:30 describes a pivotal moment in the installation of the Aaronic priesthood, marking the climax of their ordination. Moses, acting under divine instruction, took the specially consecrated anointing oil and the sacrificial blood that had been applied to the altar, and meticulously sprinkled both substances upon Aaron and his sons, as well as their priestly garments. This precise ritual act, utilizing the potent symbols of divine enablement (oil) and atonement/cleansing (blood), served to formally set apart and consecrate them and their apparel as holy, making them fit and acceptable for sacred service in God's presence. It was a visible and tangible declaration of their dedication and purification for their God-appointed role as mediators between God and Israel.

Leviticus 8 30 Context

Leviticus chapter 8 details the seven-day ordination ceremony for Aaron and his sons as priests, as specifically commanded by God in Exodus chapters 28 and 29. This event takes place after the completion of the Tabernacle and precedes the full initiation of the sacrificial system. The chapter recounts each step Moses followed: washing, clothing the priests with their elaborate garments, anointing the Tabernacle, anointing Aaron (Lev 8:12), offering various sacrifices (sin, burnt, and ram of ordination), and finally, the application of blood and oil. Verse 30 is the culmination of this elaborate ritual for the priests themselves, where the two most potent elements of sanctification – anointing oil and sacrificial blood – are combined and applied directly to the priests and their garments. This act definitively separates them from the common, rendering them ceremonially pure and spiritually empowered for their holy duties, emphasizing God's strict requirements for those who would approach Him in service. Historically, this ritual established the hereditary Aaronic priesthood as God's chosen mediators, ensuring proper order and approach to the sacred within ancient Israelite society.

Leviticus 8 30 Word analysis

• Moses: The divinely appointed agent who performs the ordination rites, acting purely as an instrument of God's command. His direct involvement underscores the divine origin and authority of the priesthood.
• then took: (וַיִּקַּח – vayyikkaḥ, Qal imperfect consecutive from לָקַח - laqaḥ, "to take"). Implies a deliberate, decisive action as part of a ritual sequence.
• some of the anointing oil: (מִשֶּׁמֶן הַמִּשְׁחָה – mishemen hammishḥah).
  • Shemen: oil, often a symbol of prosperity, joy, healing, and divine presence.
  • Hamishchah: the anointing. This is not just any oil, but the "holy anointing oil" specifically formulated and consecrated (Exod 30:22-25), reserved for the Tabernacle and its priests. It symbolizes divine consecration, empowerment, and the bestowal of the Holy Spirit for service (as seen in later anointings of prophets and kings).
• and some of the blood: (וּמִן־הַדָּם – u̇min-haddam).
  • Dam: blood. In Israelite ritual, blood represented life itself (Lev 17:11). Its primary function was atonement, cleansing, and consecration. The blood used here is specifically from the ram of ordination (Lev 8:23-24, mirroring Exod 29:20), which consecrated their physical body parts, but here it's for sprinkling the entire person and garments. Its application from the altar (Lev 8:30 reads "from the altar") links it directly to the place of propitiation and sacrifice, implying that their service is made possible through atonement.
• sprinkled them: (וַיַּז – vayyaz, Hiphil imperfect consecutive from נָזָה - nazah, "to sprinkle, spatter"). The Hiphil stem indicates causing to sprinkle. This is a deliberate, precise ritual action, not an accidental spill. Sprinkling denotes ceremonial purification, application of cleansing, or identification with the element.
• on Aaron and his garments: Indicates the comprehensive nature of the consecration. Not only the individual, but also the attire that defines and enables his sacred office, is set apart. The garments symbolize the high priestly office itself.
• and on his sons and their garments: Extends the consecration to the entire priestly family line, including their designated apparel. This establishes the hereditary nature of the Aaronic priesthood for generations.
• So he consecrated: (וַיְקַדֵּשׁ – vayqaddesh, Piel imperfect consecutive from קָדַשׁ - qadash, "to be holy, set apart"). The Piel stem means "to make holy" or "to set apart for a sacred purpose." This summary statement re-emphasizes the outcome: through the specific acts performed by Moses, Aaron and his sons, along with their official vestments, were divinely declared holy and dedicated for the service of God.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Moses then took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood from the altar": This phrase highlights the critical combination of two powerful ritual substances: oil, symbolizing divine empowering, Spirit, and designation; and blood, representing atonement, cleansing, and the sanctity of life. Their source "from the altar" underscores their divine authorization and the sacrificial foundation of their consecration. The dual nature signifies both purification (blood) and spiritual endowment (oil) necessary for sacred office.
• "and sprinkled them on Aaron and his garments and on his sons and their garments": The action of sprinkling denotes a thorough and encompassing ritual application, covering both the priests themselves and their official regalia. The repetition ("Aaron and his garments" and "his sons and their garments") emphasizes that the consecration extends not just to individuals but to the very office and its continuity within the designated family. This means their very identity, person, and functional attire become sacrosanct for God's service.
• "So he consecrated Aaron and his garments and his sons and their garments": This concluding statement encapsulates the ultimate purpose and effect of the entire procedure. It formally declares their official status: they are now holy, set apart exclusively for divine worship and mediation. This act separates them from the common Israelites and elevates them to a unique, sacred position before God.

Leviticus 8 30 Bonus section

The specific blood used in Leviticus 8:30 came from the "ram of ordination" (Lev 8:22, also called "ram of consecration" in Exod 29). This particular sacrifice was unique to the ordination ceremony. Unlike the sin offering, burnt offering, or peace offering, the blood of the ram of ordination was primarily for dedication and investiture into office. This underlines the fact that their suitability for service was secured through a unique sacrifice specific to their consecration, showing a distinct aspect of atonement specifically for qualifying them for sacred duties. The ritualistic exactitude demonstrates God's profound attention to order and purity in divine worship and service, ensuring His presence could dwell safely among His people.

Leviticus 8 30 Commentary

Leviticus 8:30 concludes the most solemn phase of the Aaronic priesthood's ordination, representing the ultimate step in rendering them suitable for divine service. The deliberate sprinkling of both holy anointing oil and sacrificial blood upon them and their vestments underscores the dual and indispensable requirements for approaching a holy God: purity and empowerment. The blood from the ram of ordination cleansed and made atonement, purifying them from defilement and making their service acceptable. The anointing oil, meanwhile, symbolized divine equipping and the bestowal of the Holy Spirit, enabling them for the sacred tasks they were to perform. This act highlights that consecration is not a self-initiated act but a divinely ordained process, making them God's instruments.

This ritual points prophetically to the perfect priesthood of Jesus Christ, who was consecrated "forevermore" (Heb 7:28) not with the blood of animals or oil, but by His own infinitely precious blood and the anointing of the Holy Spirit without measure. As the ultimate High Priest, Jesus sanctifies His people (Heb 13:12) through His own sacrifice. Moreover, through Christ, believers are called to be a "royal priesthood" (1 Pet 2:9). Like Aaron and his sons, Christians are also consecrated, not through physical oil and animal blood, but spiritually by the indwelling Holy Spirit (the "anointing" of 1 John 2:27) and the atoning, cleansing blood of Christ. This consecration sets believers apart for lives of worship, service, and bearing witness in the world, living as "living sacrifices" (Rom 12:1). It teaches us that holiness and divine enabling are prerequisite for acceptable service to God.