Leviticus 8 31

Leviticus 8:31 kjv

And Moses said unto Aaron and to his sons, Boil the flesh at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and there eat it with the bread that is in the basket of consecrations, as I commanded, saying, Aaron and his sons shall eat it.

Leviticus 8:31 nkjv

And Moses said to Aaron and his sons, "Boil the flesh at the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and eat it there with the bread that is in the basket of consecration offerings, as I commanded, saying, 'Aaron and his sons shall eat it.'

Leviticus 8:31 niv

Moses then said to Aaron and his sons, "Cook the meat at the entrance to the tent of meeting and eat it there with the bread from the basket of ordination offerings, as I was commanded: 'Aaron and his sons are to eat it.'

Leviticus 8:31 esv

And Moses said to Aaron and his sons, "Boil the flesh at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and there eat it and the bread that is in the basket of ordination offerings, as I commanded, saying, 'Aaron and his sons shall eat it.'

Leviticus 8:31 nlt

Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons, "Boil the remaining meat of the offerings at the Tabernacle entrance, and eat it there, along with the bread that is in the basket of offerings for the ordination, just as I commanded when I said, 'Aaron and his sons will eat it.'

Leviticus 8 verses

Leviticus 8 31 Meaning

Leviticus 8:31 conveys Moses' direct instruction to Aaron and his sons regarding the proper handling and consumption of specific consecrated elements from the ram of ordination sacrifice. It commanded them to boil the remaining flesh and the bread from the ordination offering at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and to eat it there, exactly as divinely prescribed. This precise command underscores the holiness of the offering, the designated location, and the exclusive right of the newly consecrated priests to partake in it, solidifying their sacred office and communion with God.

Leviticus 8 31 Context

Leviticus Chapter 8 details the solemn and meticulous consecration (ordination) ceremony for Aaron and his sons as the first priests of Israel, as commanded by God to Moses. This seven-day ritual involved ritual washing, robing, anointing with oil, and the offering of various sacrifices, including a sin offering, a burnt offering, and the "ram of ordination" or "ram of consecration." Verse 31 specifically refers to the remaining portions of this ram of ordination (including its flesh and associated bread), which were given as a sacred share to the newly appointed priests. This event occurred immediately after the construction and dedication of the Tabernacle in the wilderness, establishing the divine order for worship and the sacred role of the priesthood, serving as mediators between God and Israel. It underscores God's meticulous instructions for pure worship and sets a foundational standard for all future priestly service within the Old Covenant.

Leviticus 8 31 Word analysis

• And Moses said (וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה - vayyo'mer Moshe): Emphasizes divine authority communicated through Moses, God's chosen intermediary. This is a direct, binding command, not a suggestion.
• to Aaron and to his sons (אֶל-אַהֲרֹן וְאֶל-בָּנָיו - 'el Aharon v'el banav): Specifies the recipients of the command. Only the consecrated priests are permitted to handle and consume these sacred portions, distinguishing them from all others. This highlights their unique, set-apart status.
• "Boil (בַּשְּׁלוּ - bashshu'lu): The verb bashal means to cook by boiling. This instruction is precise, differing from roasting (e.g., Passover lamb) or burning. Boiling ensures the meat is thoroughly prepared for consumption by the priests, rather than being destroyed.
• the rest (הַנּוֹתָר - hannotar): Refers to "that which remains" or "the remainder." This implies that parts of the offering (fat, blood) were offered on the altar, and what was left of the flesh was designated for the priests. This meticulous accounting signifies reverence for the sacred.
• of the flesh (מֵהַבָּשָׂר - mehabasar): Pertains to the meat of the ram of ordination (or consecration). This flesh is highly sacred due to its use in consecrating the priests for holy service.
• and the bread (וְהַלָּחֶם - v'hallachm): Refers to the various unleavened bread, cakes, and wafers that accompanied the ram of ordination, as detailed in Exodus 29:23. These, too, were consecrated by their inclusion in the ordination offering.
• in the entrance (פֶּתַח - petach): The specific location. This is a critical detail. Not inside the holy Tabernacle, nor outside the consecrated courtyard, but precisely at the threshold. It's a consecrated area within the Tabernacle complex.
• of the tent of meeting (אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד - ohel mo'ed): The Tabernacle, God's dwelling place among Israel. Performing the act at its entrance reinforces the sanctity of the activity and the unique connection of the priests to God's presence.
• and eat it there (תֹּאכְלוּ אֹתוֹ שָׁם - to'khlu oto sham): The verb to'khlu means "you (plural) shall eat." The adverb sham ("there") re-emphasizes the restricted holy location for consumption, ensuring that even after preparation, the sacred elements retain their dedicated purity and use.
• with the bread of consecration (עִם לֶחֶם הַמִּלֻּאִים - 'im lechem hammillu'im): "Bread of the fillings" or "bread of ordination." Millu'im specifically denotes the ordination ceremony (literally "filling the hand," symbolizing bestowing authority). This confirms the particular context of these sacred food items.
• as I commanded you (כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוֵּיתִי אֹתָכֶם - ka'asher tzivviti 'otakhem): Reaffirms that Moses is delivering God's precise instruction. It stresses the importance of adherence to divine mandates, leaving no room for improvisation.
• saying, 'Aaron and his sons shall eat it.' (לֵאמֹר אַהֲרֹן וּבָנָיו יֹאכְלֻהוּ - le'mor Aharon u'banav yo'khluhu): A direct quote of the original divine command from God via Moses. This repetition highlights the authority behind the instruction and firmly reiterates the exclusive privilege and responsibility of Aaron and his sons.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Boil the rest of the flesh and the bread": This group highlights the command to prepare the sacred remnants in a specific manner (boiling), as opposed to other methods or disposing of them. It signifies that these portions are to be actively consumed by the priests, establishing their participation in the altar, making them spiritually nourished by God's provision and accepting their share in the covenant.
• "in the entrance of the tent of meeting": This phrase designates the sacred space for the meal. It is a holy, designated area, not a common dwelling. This limitation stresses the profound holiness associated with the ordination, the priesthood, and their interactions with divine offerings, marking a distinct separation from profane activities.
• "and eat it there with the bread of consecration": This emphasizes the act of communal partaking within the holy designated area. Eating together solidified their consecrated status, signified their acceptance of the priestly office, and implied their intimate communion with the divine work. The meal itself was part of their consecration and future provision.
• "as I commanded you, saying, 'Aaron and his sons shall eat it.'": This final phrase reiterates the ultimate source of authority for this instruction: God Himself. Moses is merely the conveyor of a divinely ordered ritual. The repetition emphasizes strict obedience to divine mandates concerning holy things and the exclusive right of the ordained priests to partake, ensuring the sanctity of the ritual. It warns against casualness or disobedience in sacred duties.

Leviticus 8 31 Bonus section

The act of eating holy things, as seen in Leviticus 8:31, was more than just physical nourishment for the priests; it was a deeply spiritual act of fellowship and identification. By consuming portions of the sacrifices, the priests were, in a sense, absorbing the holiness associated with the offering and symbolically participating in the covenant meal with God. This shared meal reinforced their covenant relationship and underscored their privilege and responsibility. It stands in contrast to common pagan practices where cultic meals often involved a more general participation by the worshippers; in Israel, the strict regulations for sacred food highlighted YHWH's absolute sovereignty and the specific roles of His appointed servants. This detailed instruction foreshadows how believers partake of Christ in the New Covenant through the Lord's Supper (Communion), where the spiritual nourishment comes from His perfect and once-for-all sacrifice, establishing a more profound, accessible, and inclusive communion with God, fulfilled in Christ our eternal Priest.

Leviticus 8 31 Commentary

Leviticus 8:31 serves as a pivotal command during the ordination of Israel's first priests, emphasizing the meticulous obedience required in consecrated service. The instruction to "boil" and "eat" specific portions of the ram of ordination signifies that these holy items were not merely symbols but tangible provisions and spiritual sustenance for the priests, affirming their intimate communion with God through the sacrificial system. The designated location "at the entrance of the tent of meeting" is crucial, marking the consumption as a sacred act, within the perimeter of holiness, accessible only to those consecrated for the Lord's service. This verse reinforces that handling divine things requires exact adherence to God's precise commands, underscoring His holiness and the serious nature of priestly responsibility, which foreshadows the care and reverence due to Christ, our High Priest, and our partaking in His body and blood through the New Covenant. It practically exemplifies God's orderly provision for His ministers and His demand for reverence in worship.