Topical Encyclopedia The consecration of Aaron to the priesthood is a significant event in the religious history of Israel, marking the establishment of the Levitical priesthood. This event is primarily detailed in the Book of Exodus and the Book of Leviticus, where God commands Moses to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests to serve in the Tabernacle.Divine Command and Preparation The consecration of Aaron is initiated by a divine command given to Moses. In Exodus 28:1, God instructs Moses: "Bring near to you your brother Aaron and his sons with him from among the Israelites to serve Me as priests—Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons." This command sets the stage for the establishment of a hereditary priesthood through Aaron's lineage. God provides detailed instructions for the garments that Aaron and his sons are to wear, emphasizing their sacred role. Exodus 28:2 states, "Make holy garments for your brother Aaron, to give him glory and splendor." These garments include the ephod, breastpiece, robe, tunic, turban, and sash, each with specific symbolic significance. Ritual of Consecration The ritual of consecration is meticulously described in Leviticus 8. Moses is instructed to gather the congregation at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, where the ceremony is to take place. Leviticus 8:6-9 describes the washing and dressing of Aaron and his sons: "Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons forward and washed them with water. He put the tunic on Aaron, tied the sash around him, clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod on him. He fastened the ephod with its woven waistband, tying it around him. Then he put the breastpiece on him and placed the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece. And he set the turban on his head and attached the gold medallion, the holy diadem, to the front of the turban, as the LORD had commanded Moses." Following the vesting, Moses anoints the Tabernacle and all its furnishings with oil, consecrating them. He then anoints Aaron by pouring the anointing oil on his head, signifying his sanctification for the priestly office (Leviticus 8:10-12). Sacrificial Offerings The consecration ceremony includes a series of sacrificial offerings. A bull is offered as a sin offering, symbolizing atonement for Aaron and his sons. Leviticus 8:14-17 details this sacrifice: "Moses brought the bull for the sin offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head. Moses slaughtered the bull, took some of the blood, and with his finger put it on all the horns of the altar to purify it. He poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. So he consecrated it to make atonement for it." Following the sin offering, a ram is offered as a burnt offering, and another ram, known as the ram of ordination, is sacrificed. The blood of the ordination ram is applied to Aaron and his sons, symbolizing their consecration (Leviticus 8:22-24). Completion of the Consecration The consecration ceremony concludes with a meal, where Aaron and his sons eat the flesh of the ram of ordination and the bread from the basket of ordination offerings. This meal signifies their participation in the sacrificial system and their new role as mediators between God and the people of Israel (Leviticus 8:31-36). The consecration of Aaron and his sons is a pivotal moment in the establishment of the Levitical priesthood, setting a precedent for the priestly functions and responsibilities in the worship and religious life of Israel. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 28:1And take you to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 29:1 Leviticus 8:1 Library Thirtieth Lesson. An Holy Priesthood;' Index. An Advance in the Exhortation. Entire Sanctification in Type. Scriptural Types. Leviticus The Copies of Things in the Heavens Whether the Matter of this Sacrament Need be Consecrated by a ... Entire Sanctification in Patriarchal Times. Numbers Resources Who was Aaron in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from the relationship of Moses and Aaron? | GotQuestions.org Why wasn't Aaron punished for making the golden calf? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Aaron with Hur Supports the Hands of Moses During Battle Aaron: Commissioned As a Deliverer of Israel Aaron: Consecration of, to the Priesthood Aaron: Descendants of, Ordained Priests Forever Aaron: Enters Upon the Priestly office Aaron: Forbidden to Mourn the Death of his Son, Nadab and Abihu Aaron: His Benedictions Upon the People Aaron: His Presumption, when the Rock is Smitten Aaron: Judges Israel in the Absence of Moses Aaron: Meets Moses in the Wilderness and is Made Spokesman for Moses Aaron: Murmured Against, by the People Aaron: Not Permitted to Enter Canaan Aaron: Places Pot of Manna in the Ark Aaron: Stays the Plague by Priestly Intercession Aaron: Summoned to Sinai With Nadab, Abihu, and Seventy Elders Related Terms Meal-offering (120 Occurrences) Meat-offering (111 Occurrences) |
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