Leviticus 9 7

Leviticus 9:7 kjv

And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the LORD commanded.

Leviticus 9:7 nkjv

And Moses said to Aaron, "Go to the altar, offer your sin offering and your burnt offering, and make atonement for yourself and for the people. Offer the offering of the people, and make atonement for them, as the LORD commanded."

Leviticus 9:7 niv

Moses said to Aaron, "Come to the altar and sacrifice your sin offering and your burnt offering and make atonement for yourself and the people; sacrifice the offering that is for the people and make atonement for them, as the LORD has commanded."

Leviticus 9:7 esv

Then Moses said to Aaron, "Draw near to the altar and offer your sin offering and your burnt offering and make atonement for yourself and for the people, and bring the offering of the people and make atonement for them, as the LORD has commanded."

Leviticus 9:7 nlt

Then Moses said to Aaron, "Come to the altar and sacrifice your sin offering and your burnt offering to purify yourself and the people. Then present the offerings of the people to purify them, making them right with the LORD, just as he has commanded."

Leviticus 9 verses

Leviticus 9 7 Meaning

Leviticus 9:7 is a pivotal instruction given by Moses to Aaron, commanding him to perform specific sacrifices – a sin offering and a burnt offering – for himself and for the people of Israel. The ultimate purpose of these offerings is to "make atonement" (kaphar) – a process of reconciliation and purification – firstly for Aaron as the high priest due to his own sinfulness, and then for the entire congregation. This act inaugurates the Tabernacle worship, establishing the crucial role of the priesthood in mediating God's presence and providing a path for His people to approach Him righteously, all as an obedient response to God's direct command.

Leviticus 9 7 Context

Leviticus chapter 9 marks a climactic point in the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests and the official inauguration of the Tabernacle service. Chapters 8 details the seven-day ordination process, where Moses meticulously followed God's instructions for consecrating Aaron and his sons. On the eighth day, which is detailed in chapter 9, Aaron is called to perform his very first priestly acts, demonstrating that he is truly set apart and capable of mediating between God and Israel. This particular verse (9:7) represents Moses' final direct command to Aaron before Aaron undertakes these critical inaugural sacrifices, emphasizing the absolute necessity for the high priest himself to be atoned for before he can atone for others. This day of installation solidified the system by which a sinful people could approach a holy God. The entire sacrificial system and the role of the priesthood were Divinely commanded and designed to teach Israel about the gravity of sin, the necessity of blood atonement, and God's provision for relationship.

Leviticus 9 7 Word analysis

• Then Moses said to Aaron: This phrase emphasizes the divine chain of command: God to Moses, Moses to Aaron. It highlights the foundational authority underlying the priestly office and all its duties. It also underscores Moses' role as God's primary prophet and mediator.
• Draw near (קְרַב - qarab): This verb means to approach, come near, or present oneself. In a cultic context, it signifies an approach into the sacred space for worship or priestly service. It implies a reverent and purposeful movement toward God's presence, indicating Aaron's first direct priestly act. This 'drawing near' sets the stage for intimacy with God, yet within His holy boundaries, which for Aaron is only possible through sacrificial provision for sin.
• to the altar: The altar of burnt offering, located in the outer court of the Tabernacle, was the central place of sacrifice. It represents the point of mediation and interaction between a holy God and His sinful people. The altar constantly points to the necessity of a substitute sacrifice for sin.
• and offer (וְהַעַל - v'haal): From the root עָלָה (alah), meaning "to go up" or "to ascend." In the context of offerings, it refers to causing the smoke of the offering to ascend to God. It highlights the dedication of the offering wholly to God.
• your sin offering (חַטָּאתְךָ - chatta't'kha): Chatta't means "sin" or "purification offering." This sacrifice dealt with specific sins, purifying the worshipper and/or the sacred space from defilement. Crucially, the high priest must first offer a sin offering for himself because, though consecrated, he remains a sinful human being who requires cleansing to properly mediate between God and man. This distinguishes the human priesthood from the perfect high priesthood of Christ.
• and your burnt offering (וְעֹלָתְךָ - v'olat'kha): 'Olah means "what goes up," indicating that the entire animal, except for the hide, was consumed by fire on the altar. It was a voluntary offering symbolizing complete dedication and consecration to God, and also had an atonement aspect (Lev 1:4). Its "pleasing aroma" signified God's acceptance.
• and make atonement (וְכִפַּרְתָּ - v'khipparta): From the root כָּפַר (kaphar), meaning "to cover," "to purge," or "to atone." It denotes the act by which sin is covered or cleansed, and reconciliation between God and humanity is effected. It's a key theological term in the Old Testament sacrificial system, pointing to the forgiveness of sins and restoration of fellowship.
• for yourself: Explicitly stated to emphasize Aaron's own need for cleansing due to his fallen human nature and priestly responsibilities, despite his recent consecration.
• and for the people (וְעַל־הָעָם - v'al ha'am): Highlights the representative role of the high priest. Aaron is not just acting for himself, but for the entire congregation of Israel. His sanctity and atonement directly impact the people's ability to have their sins covered and approach God.
• and offer the offering of the people: This command reiterates and clarifies that after Aaron's own purification, he must then attend to the community's spiritual state. It confirms the hierarchical order and flow of spiritual cleansing and mediation from God, through Moses, to Aaron, for the people.
• and make atonement for them: Re-emphasizes the purpose of the people's offerings – to cleanse, purify, and reconcile the community with God. This underlines the systemic provision for ongoing forgiveness and fellowship in Israel.
• as the Lord commanded (כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה - ka'asher tzivah YHVH): This recurring phrase in Leviticus underscores that the entire sacrificial system and priestly duties are not human inventions or arbitrary rituals but are direct divine mandates. This confirms their legitimacy, efficacy, and the importance of precise obedience to God's revealed will.

Leviticus 9 7 Bonus section

The order of the offerings specified for Aaron—sin offering then burnt offering—is significant. The sin offering first addresses and purges sin and impurity, making reconciliation possible. Only after cleansing can Aaron present himself in wholehearted dedication through the burnt offering, which is often associated with complete surrender and acceptance by God. This sequence points to the necessity of forgiveness before fellowship. The specific details of the animal sacrifices and their meticulous preparation, as outlined in earlier chapters of Leviticus, though not explicit in this verse, are implied by the command to "offer." This level of detail in God's commands ensured that His holiness was respected and that the acts of worship were carried out precisely as He ordained, reflecting His divine order and the seriousness of approaching Him. This contrasts sharply with pagan worship, which often lacked specific divine directives for sacrifices and focused on manipulating deities rather than on a true covenant relationship and moral transformation.

Leviticus 9 7 Commentary

Leviticus 9:7 serves as a foundational command marking the solemn beginning of regular worship at the Tabernacle. It illustrates several critical theological truths. Firstly, it underscores the universal need for atonement, even for those chosen for sacred service like Aaron, affirming that "all have sinned" (Rom 3:23). The requirement for the high priest to atone for himself before he can mediate for the people foreshadows the perfect high priesthood of Christ, who, being without sin, needed no sacrifice for Himself (Heb 7:27). Secondly, the passage highlights the representative nature of the Levitical priesthood, where one individual stood on behalf of the entire community, bringing their sin and dedication before a holy God. This office was essential for maintaining Israel's relationship with Yahweh, constantly reminding them of the cost of sin and God's provision for reconciliation. Lastly, the repeated emphasis on "as the Lord commanded" validates the entire system as divinely ordained, making obedience central to true worship. These initial offerings established the framework through which Israel could approach God, laying the groundwork for understanding the later, ultimate atonement found in Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled all these shadows (Col 2:17). Practically, this verse teaches that before we can effectively minister to others or lead them in worship, we must first deal with our own need for cleansing and be reconciled to God. It encourages a life of humility, acknowledging our need for grace, and relying on the atoning work provided by God Himself.