Leviticus 9:23 kjv
And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people.
Leviticus 9:23 nkjv
And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of meeting, and came out and blessed the people. Then the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people,
Leviticus 9:23 niv
Moses and Aaron then went into the tent of meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people.
Leviticus 9:23 esv
And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, and when they came out they blessed the people, and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people.
Leviticus 9:23 nlt
Then Moses and Aaron went into the Tabernacle, and when they came back out, they blessed the people again, and the glory of the LORD appeared to the whole community.
Leviticus 9 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 16:10 | And it came to pass, as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud. | God's glory appearing visibly. |
| Exod 24:16 | The glory of the LORD dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days... | God's glory manifest at Sinai. |
| Exod 24:17 | The appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire... | Description of divine glory. |
| Exod 40:34-35 | Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting... and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle... | Glory filling the Tabernacle at its completion. |
| Num 6:22-27 | And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: "Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel.’" | The specific priestly blessing given later. |
| Num 14:10 | All the congregation threatened to stone them; but the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of meeting... | Divine glory appearing at Tabernacle during rebellion. |
| 1 Ki 8:10-11 | And it came to pass... the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD. | God's glory filling the newly built Temple. |
| 2 Chr 5:14 | So that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God. | Parallel account of glory filling the Temple. |
| Ezek 43:2 | And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east... and the earth was lit with His glory. | Prophetic vision of God's glory returning. |
| Isa 6:3 | ...and the whole earth is full of His glory. | Prophetic declaration of God's pervasive glory. |
| Psa 29:2 | Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name... | Call to acknowledge God's majesty. |
| Lk 2:9 | And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them... | New Testament manifestation of God's glory. |
| Jn 1:14 | And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father... | Christ as the incarnate glory of God. |
| 2 Cor 3:18 | But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image... | Believers reflecting the glory of Christ. |
| Heb 1:3 | Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person... | Christ as the ultimate expression of God's glory. |
| Rev 21:23 | The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it... | God's glory as the light of the New Jerusalem. |
| Psa 4:6 | Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. | Prayer for God's favorable presence/blessing. |
| Psa 67:1 | God be merciful to us and bless us, And cause His face to shine upon us. | Prayer for divine blessing and illumination. |
| Deut 10:8 | At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi... to bless in His name... | The Levitical duty to bless. |
| 1 Chr 23:13 | The sons of Amram: Aaron... separated to sanctify the Most Holy Place, he and his sons forever, to burn incense... and to bless in His name forever. | Aaron's line appointed to bless. |
| Num 12:8 | I speak with him face to face, even plainly, and not in dark sayings... | Moses' unique relationship with God. |
| Exo 34:29-35 | And it came to pass... that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. | Moses' radiated glory after meeting God. |
Leviticus 9 verses
Leviticus 9 23 Meaning
Leviticus 9:23 describes the culmination of the consecration ceremony for the Aaronic priesthood and the Tabernacle. After Moses and Aaron had completed the prescribed offerings and entered the Tent of Meeting to presumably receive final instructions or a blessing from God, they emerged to bless the assembled congregation. This action immediately preceded a spectacular and visible manifestation of the glory of the LORD, appearing to all the people. The verse signifies divine validation and acceptance of the newly established priestly system and the Tabernacle worship, assuring the people of God's presence among them.
Leviticus 9 23 Context
Leviticus 9:23 is a pivotal moment in the Tabernacle's inauguration and the establishment of the Aaronic priesthood. Chapter 9 details the "eighth day," following seven days of intensive priestly ordination as prescribed in Leviticus 8. On this eighth day, Aaron, newly consecrated as High Priest, offered sacrifices first for himself to atone for his own sin, and then for the sins of the people. This verse follows these offerings, which include a sin offering, burnt offering, grain offering, and peace offering. The entire chapter focuses on the strict adherence to God's commands for priestly ministry and worship. The events described here — Moses and Aaron entering the Tent of Meeting, their emergence to bless, and the immediate appearance of God's glory — demonstrate divine acceptance and validation of everything that has transpired. Historically, this event signifies the divine establishment of the formal means by which God would dwell among His people, receive their worship, and grant them access to His presence through His appointed priests, contrasting starkly with the chaotic and often immoral pagan cults of surrounding nations that lacked true divine interaction.
Leviticus 9 23 Word analysis
- And Moses and Aaron went into: The Hebrew is wa-yavo Moshe v'Aharon el Ohel Mo'ed (וַיָּבֹא מֹשֶׁה וְאַהֲרֹן אֶל־אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד). Moses, as God's primary mediator and the one who oversaw the entire Tabernacle construction and priestly consecration, joins Aaron. Their joint entry underscores their unique roles as intercessors. This specific entry is not explicitly commanded prior, implying it's either an act of consultation or for them to receive divine commission directly related to the subsequent events.
- the Tent of Meeting: Hebrew Ohel Mo'ed (אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד). This is the designated place where God "meets" with His people (Exod 25:22). Their entry symbolizes priestly access to the very presence of God, albeit not into the Holy of Holies which only the High Priest entered once a year.
- and came out: Hebrew wa-yetz'u (וַיֵּצְאוּ). From the verb yatza (יָצָא), "to go out," "to come forth." This movement signifies a transition from private divine encounter or ritual completion inside the sanctuary to public engagement with the people, bearing God's message or blessing.
- and blessed: Hebrew wa-yevarku (וַיְבָרְכוּ). From the verb barak (בָּרַךְ), "to kneel," "to bless." To bless means to invoke God's favor and bestow well-being. The act of blessing the entire congregation highlights their priestly function as mediators of God's goodness, conveying His favor directly from His presence to His people.
- all the congregation: Hebrew et kol ha-'edah (אֶת־כָּל־הָעֵדָה). Emphasizes that the blessing and the subsequent manifestation were for the entire community of Israel, not just for the priests or a select few. This demonstrates God's relationship with His collective people.
- And the glory of the LORD: Hebrew u-khvod YHWH (וּכְבוֹד יְהוָה). Kavod (כָּבוֹד) means weight, honor, majesty, splendor, renown. In the context of God, it refers to His manifest presence, often appearing as a brilliant light, fire, or cloud (Exod 24:16-17, 40:34-35). YHWH is the sacred, personal covenant name of God. This term highlights the substantial, tangible manifestation of God's own majesty.
- appeared: Hebrew wa-yera (וַיֵּרָא). From the verb ra'ah (רָאָה), "to see," but here in the Nifal (passive/reflexive) stem, meaning "to be seen" or "to reveal oneself." This signifies God's own initiative; His glory was not conjured but graciously revealed by Him.
- to all the people: Hebrew el kol ha-'am (אֶל־כָּל־הָעָם). Reinforces that this divine display was not exclusive but visible and accessible to everyone, affirming God's relationship with His entire covenant people and validating the sacred proceedings publicly.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Moses and Aaron went into the Tent of Meeting and came out and blessed the people": This sequence is critical. Their entry signifies a direct interaction with the divine presence or revelation within the sacred space. Their emergence signifies the relay of that divine encounter or blessing to the community. The act of blessing bridges the divine and human realms, an essential function of the priesthood. The order shows a reception from God, then a giving forth to the people.
- "And the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people": This phrase marks the climax. The divine appearance is the ultimate confirmation. It directly follows the priestly blessing, implying that God's presence and approval were contingent on, or a direct response to, the priests' obedient actions. This visible manifestation confirmed the legitimacy of the Tabernacle and its worship system.
Leviticus 9 23 Bonus section
- Significance of the "Eighth Day": In biblical numerology, seven represents completion, and eight often symbolizes new beginnings, renewal, or resurrection. The eighth day of consecration in Leviticus 9, therefore, marked a new era in Israel’s relationship with God – a fully established system of worship and access to His presence. This connects to themes of Christ bringing a "new and living way" (Heb 10:20), a true new beginning for access to God.
- Polemics against Paganism: This clear, visible manifestation of God’s glory sharply contrasted with the arbitrary and often unseen or fabricated "presence" of pagan deities. While idol worship often relied on human manipulation or limited, local superstitions, YHWH’s glory appeared unmistakably and universally "to all the people," testifying to His supreme, living, and revealing nature.
- Foreshadowing Christ's Glory: The physical, visible glory of the LORD appearing foreshadows the ultimate dwelling of God’s glory in human flesh, Jesus Christ (Jn 1:14). Just as the glory of the LORD ratified the Tabernacle ministry, Christ's perfect life and atoning sacrifice perfectly manifested God's glory and established a new and better covenant, allowing believers to see and even reflect His glory (2 Cor 3:18).
Leviticus 9 23 Commentary
Leviticus 9:23 presents a profound theological statement: God’s manifested presence follows priestly obedience and faithful intercession. The solemn entrance of Moses and Aaron into the Tent of Meeting, symbolic of their intimate access to God, is immediately succeeded by their act of blessing the waiting multitude. This public benediction, flowing from their encounter with God, acts as a conduit of divine favor. Instantly, the radiant glory of the LORD appears, not to a select few, but "to all the people," demonstrating God’s universal acceptance of the Tabernacle service and His willingness to dwell visibly among His covenant community. This public display validated Aaron’s high priesthood and consecrated the Tabernacle worship, affirming that God heard and accepted their sacrifices and their very first act of ministry. It teaches that when God’s prescribed order is followed with integrity and faith, His presence is assured. This dramatic event paved the way for the further manifestation of divine fire, showing divine acceptance.