What is the meaning of Exodus 29:15?

Take one of the rams

• The LORD commands a specific animal, not just any ram, underscoring His right to dictate the means of approach (cf. Exodus 29:1; Leviticus 8:18).

• A ram, strong and mature, pictures strength surrendered to God and anticipates the willing substitution of Christ, “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

• Only because God provides the sacrifice can the priesthood be consecrated; likewise, salvation is possible only because God provided His Son (Romans 8:32).

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Aaron and his sons

• The entire priestly family participates, highlighting both corporate responsibility and generational continuity (Exodus 28:1; Numbers 25:13).

• Their shared action reminds us that ministry is never a solo venture; it is grounded in covenant community (1 Peter 2:9).

• As representatives, they stand for the whole nation before God, prefiguring Christ, our perfect High Priest who “always lives to intercede” (Hebrews 7:25).

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Shall lay their hands

• Laying on hands publicly identifies the priest with the offering (Leviticus 1:4).

• Symbolically, sin and guilt are transferred to the ram, pointing ahead to Christ, on whom the Father “made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

• The gesture also expresses faith, just as believers place their trust in Jesus’ finished work (Acts 13:39).

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On its head

• The head signifies the whole animal; what is placed on the head rests on the entire substitute (Leviticus 16:21).

• This location stresses substitutionary atonement: the innocent bears the guilty’s burden, “and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).

• God’s justice and mercy meet—sin is judged, yet the sinner is spared.

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summary

Exodus 29:15 sets forth a vivid picture of consecration and substitution. God supplies the ram, Aaron’s family identifies with it, and guilt is transferred to its head. In every detail the verse foreshadows Jesus Christ, the divinely provided substitute who bears our sin so we can serve as a royal priesthood.