Leviticus 8:6 kjv
And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water.
Leviticus 8:6 nkjv
Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them with water.
Leviticus 8:6 niv
Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons forward and washed them with water.
Leviticus 8:6 esv
And Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them with water.
Leviticus 8:6 nlt
Then he presented Aaron and his sons and washed them with water.
Leviticus 8 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 29:4 | "Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting and wash them with water." | Divine command for priestly washing. |
| Exod 40:12 | "Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting and wash them with water." | Fulfillment of command in Tabernacle setting. |
| Exod 30:19-21 | "They shall wash their hands and their feet, lest they die..." | Priestly washing for daily service at the laver. |
| Lev 14:8 | "He who is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes and shave off all his hair and bathe himself in water..." | General law for purification (leprosy). |
| Lev 16:24 | "He shall bathe his body in water in a holy place..." | High priest washing on Day of Atonement. |
| Num 8:7 | "Thus you shall cleanse them: sprinkle the water of purification on them..." | Cleansing of Levites. |
| Psa 51:2 | "Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!" | Prayer for spiritual cleansing from sin. |
| Psa 51:7 | "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." | Plea for inner purification. |
| Ezek 36:25 | "I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean..." | Prophetic promise of spiritual cleansing. |
| Zech 13:1 | "On that day there shall be a fountain opened... to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness." | Prophetic fountain for sin and uncleanness. |
| John 3:5 | "Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." | Spiritual rebirth, linked to water and Spirit. |
| John 13:8-10 | Jesus answered, "If I do not wash you, you have no share with me." | Christ's cleansing work for His disciples. |
| Acts 22:16 | "Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name." | Baptism as washing away sins. |
| 1 Cor 6:11 | "But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus..." | Believers washed, sanctified, justified. |
| Eph 5:26 | "...that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word..." | Church purified by Christ through Word. |
| Tit 3:5 | "...He saved us... by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit..." | Salvation as "washing of regeneration." |
| Heb 10:22 | "let us draw near... our bodies washed with pure water." | New Covenant cleansing and approach to God. |
| Heb 7:26 | "For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained..." | Christ's inherent purity (no washing needed). |
| 1 Pet 3:21 | "Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience..." | Baptism as symbolic cleansing. |
| Rev 1:5 | "To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood..." | Christ's cleansing by His atoning blood. |
| Rev 7:14 | "...They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." | Cleansing by Christ's atoning blood. |
| Isa 1:16 | "Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds..." | Call to spiritual cleansing from wickedness. |
| Lev 17:15 | "every person... shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening..." | Ritual impurity requiring washing. |
| Jer 2:22 | "though you wash yourself with soda and use much soap, still your guilt is stained before me..." | Superficial external washing cannot remove deep sin. |
Leviticus 8 verses
Leviticus 8 6 Meaning
Leviticus 8:6 details the foundational act in the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests: Moses, under divine instruction, ceremonially brought them to the Tent of Meeting and washed them thoroughly with water. This act signified their ritual purification and consecration, symbolically cleansing them from any common or defiling aspects of their previous lives and preparing them to enter into holy service as mediators between God and Israel within the sacred Tabernacle. It underscores the essential prerequisite of purity for approaching and serving a holy God.
Leviticus 8 6 Context
Leviticus Chapter 8 describes the meticulous, divinely mandated ordination ceremony of Aaron and his sons as priests. This event unfolds immediately after the completion and consecration of the Tabernacle in Exodus 40, which established the earthly dwelling place of God among Israel. Verse 6 marks the very initial, public step in this multi-stage consecration process, establishing purification as the foundational prerequisite. Moses' role throughout the chapter, particularly in verse 6, emphasizes that the priesthood's authority and function are entirely of divine origin and appointment, distinct from human self-appointment or pagan cultic practices of the surrounding nations which lacked the standard of a Holy God.
Leviticus 8 6 Word analysis
And Moses brought:
- And (וְ - ve): Connects this foundational act to God's previous instructions and the broader context of Tabernacle completion, signifying a continuation of God's appointed order.
- Moses (מֹשֶׁה - Mosheh): The divinely chosen mediator and administrator of the covenant law. His active role underscores that the priesthood's authority derives solely from God, with Moses faithfully executing His precise commands rather than introducing human innovation.
- brought (וַיַּקְרֵב - vayyaqrev): From the Hebrew root קָרַב (qārab), meaning "to bring near," "to cause to approach," or "to present." This is a formal, purposeful bringing for sacred service, indicating a divine initiation rather than Aaron and his sons volunteering themselves without authorization. It signifies a priestly "presentation" for sanctification.
Aaron and his sons:
- Aaron (אַהֲרֹן - Aharon): Designated by God as the first High Priest, representing Israel before God. His personal character alone was insufficient; divine appointment and consecration were essential.
- and his sons (וּבָנָיו - uvānav): Referring to Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, establishing a hereditary line for the priesthood (Exod 6:23). Their inclusion indicates that the entire priestly corps, not just the High Priest, required thorough ceremonial purification before service, emphasizing that holiness applies to all who minister before God.
and washed them:
- and washed (וַיִּרְחַץ - vayyirhatz): From the root רָחַץ (rachatz), meaning "to wash," "to bathe." This signifies a complete bodily cleansing, distinguishing it from the later, more limited washing of hands and feet at the bronze laver (Exod 30:19-21). This comprehensive wash symbolizes removal of all common defilement and preparation for separation unto holy things, preparing them for sacred actions and approach to the Holy One.
with water:
- with water (בַּמַּיִם - bammayim): The definite article is implied; "with the water" or simply "with water." Water universally symbolizes purification, removal of dirt, and ritual cleansing. In this context, it specifically refers to clean, uncontaminated water used for ceremonial purposes. Its simplicity highlights the fundamental and essential nature of purity, signifying that physical and symbolic cleansing is the prerequisite before any other anointing or blood atonement can occur.
Words-group analysis:
- "Moses brought Aaron and his sons": This phrase highlights that the establishment and appointment of the priesthood were divinely orchestrated, executed through God's chosen representative, Moses. This prevented any claims of self-appointment and established the priesthood's legitimacy and accountability to God.
- "washed them with water": This collective act of washing signifies that ceremonial purification is the foundational prerequisite for all priestly service. It is a necessary act of consecration, distinguishing the priests from the common people and setting them apart for their holy office. It prefigures the spiritual cleansing necessary for those called to serve God in the New Covenant.
Leviticus 8 6 Bonus section
- The washing took place "at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting," making it a public spectacle before "the congregation" (Lev 8:4). This public nature of the act reinforced the divine appointment of these priests and their official commissioning, validating their authority before all Israel.
- This physical cleansing by water preceded the dressing in holy garments, the anointing with oil, and the offering of sacrifices. This sequence underscores the theological principle that one must be made clean before being dressed in holiness or empowered for ministry. Purity is the non-negotiable first step.
- The comprehensive nature of the washing (as indicated by the verb rachatz) suggests a full body wash, differentiating it from the ongoing hand and foot washing required at the laver throughout their ministry. This initial full wash served as a "once-for-all" type of ceremonial purification for their entrance into priestly status.
Leviticus 8 6 Commentary
Leviticus 8:6 inaugurates the divine blueprint for holy ministry. The commanded washing of Aaron and his sons was not mere hygiene but a profound act of ritual purification, symbolizing their separation from common defilement and consecration for God's sacred service. Performed by Moses as God's representative, this act emphasized the divine origin of the priesthood. This preliminary cleansing, required before any priestly garments or anointing, stresses that a fundamental purity—ceremonial in the Old Covenant, spiritual in the New—is essential for all who would approach and serve God. It anticipates the washing of regeneration (Tit 3:5) and the cleansing believers experience through Christ's word (Eph 5:26), empowering them to become a "royal priesthood" (1 Pet 2:9), serving the Living God with clean hands and pure hearts.