Topical Bible: Anointing in Consecration of Priests

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The anointing in the consecration of priests is a significant ritual in the Old Testament, symbolizing the setting apart and sanctification of individuals for holy service to God. This practice is rooted in the instructions given by God to Moses and is primarily detailed in the books of Exodus and Leviticus.

Biblical Foundation

The anointing of priests is first mentioned in Exodus 28:41, where God commands Moses, "After you put these clothes on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint and ordain them. Consecrate them so they may serve Me as priests." This directive establishes the anointing as a divine ordinance, integral to the priestly consecration process.

In Exodus 30:30, God further instructs, "Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them to serve Me as priests." This anointing is not merely a ceremonial act but a divine appointment, marking the priests as holy and dedicated to the service of the Lord.

The Anointing Process

The anointing process is described in detail in Leviticus 8. Moses, acting under God's command, anoints Aaron and his sons with the sacred anointing oil. Leviticus 8:12 states, "He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him." This act of pouring oil on the head signifies the outpouring of God's Spirit and blessing upon the priest, empowering him for his sacred duties.

The anointing oil itself is a special blend, as described in Exodus 30:22-25, composed of myrrh, cinnamon, calamus, cassia, and olive oil. This holy anointing oil is reserved exclusively for consecrating the tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priests, underscoring the sanctity of the priestly office.

Symbolism and Significance

The anointing in the consecration of priests carries profound symbolic meaning. It signifies purification, sanctification, and the impartation of the Holy Spirit. The oil represents the presence and power of God, setting the priests apart for their unique role as mediators between God and the people of Israel.

The anointing also foreshadows the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, who is referred to as the "Anointed One" or "Messiah." In the New Testament, Jesus fulfills the priestly role, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin and interceding on behalf of humanity.

Continuity and Fulfillment

While the Old Testament priesthood and its anointing rituals were specific to the Levitical order, the concept of anointing finds continuity and fulfillment in the New Testament. Believers in Christ are described as a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), anointed by the Holy Spirit to serve God and proclaim His praises.

The anointing in the consecration of priests thus serves as a foundational element in the biblical narrative, illustrating God's desire for a holy and dedicated priesthood, ultimately realized in the person and work of Jesus Christ and extended to all who believe in Him.

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Exodus 28:41
And you shall put them on Aaron your brother, and his sons with him; and shall anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister to me in the priest's office.
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Exodus 30:30
And you shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister to me in the priest's office.
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Exodus 40:15
And you shall anoint them, as you did anoint their father, that they may minister to me in the priest's office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.
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Leviticus 4:3
If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he has sinned, a young bullock without blemish to the LORD for a sin offering.
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Leviticus 8:30
And Moses took of the anointing oil, and of the blood which was on the altar, and sprinkled it on Aaron, and on his garments, and on his sons, and on his sons' garments with him; and sanctified Aaron, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him.
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Numbers 3:3
These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests which were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest's office.
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Library

Consecration and Dedication
... with the building itself, and all the priests and their ... on the part of Moses, in
the consecration of these ... blood of animals and the holy anointing oil, which ...
/.../byers/sanctification/chapter iii consecration and dedication.htm

Whether the Character is Imprinted on a Priest when the Chalice is ...
... the anointing is done to the priests alone who ... thing, but at the mere imposition
of hands and anointing. ... 3: Vestments require no other consecration except to ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the character is imprinted.htm

1 John ii. 20, 21
... Kings, priests, prophets, received their consecration to the office appointed them
by God, through an anointing,"the symbol of the power imparted to them by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/the first epistle of john/1 john ii 20 21.htm

Some Helpful Thoughts on Consecration
... the consecration and sanctification of the priests of the ... it was sprinkled with the
anointing oil upon ... The blood of this consecration offering corresponds with ...
/.../byers/sanctification/chapter xi some helpful thoughts.htm

Entire Sanctification in Type.
... holy." And as all Christians are kings and priests unto God ... The anointing oil was
also to be applied to the ... of Aaron and his sons in their consecration to the ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter iv entire sanctification in.htm

Thirtieth Lesson. An Holy Priesthood;'
... I believe in the ANOINTING OF THE SPIRIT, coming down daily from Thee ... day to my God,
as one of His anointed priests, to stand ... accept and seal my consecration. ...
/.../with christ in the school of prayer/thirtieth lesson an holy priesthood.htm

Leviticus
... Laws regulating the consecration of the high priest and the other priests"washing,
investiture, anointing, sin offering, burnt offering, with accompanying ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/leviticus.htm

Inviolable Messiahs and Prophets
... The meaning of the symbolic 'anointing' was simply consecration to office ... Lord is
one Spirit,' and there does flow the anointing oil from ... Priests were anointed ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/inviolable messiahs and prophets.htm

The Copies of Things in the Heavens
... emblematic of communicated purity; robing, and anointing,"the last ... 'They truly were
many priests, because they ... office was embodied in the consecration of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the copies of things in.htm

Strange Fire
... of the congregation, lest ye die: for the anointing oil of the ... But a week had passed
since the consecration of their father and themselves as priests. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/strange fire.htm