Set to dark modeSet to dark modeExodus 29 Commentary
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The LORD summarizes what should be included in the ordination ceremony of the priests. Animals for sacrifice, unleavened food, and oil should be brought to the ritual.
The first step in the ordination ceremony was the washing of the priests, Aaron and his sons had to be cleansed before they could be set aside for service to the LORD.
The priestly garments are to be placed on Aaron and his sons in preparation for the ceremony itself. Aaron would be clothed with the High Priest’s garments.
The LORD describes the sin offering required to atone for the sins of Aaron and his sons. Sinful and fallen people must be cleansed before they can minister in the presence of the holy God.
The LORD describes another sin offering requiring a ram.
The LORD describes the sacrifice of the third animal, the second ram. The ram was to be slaughtered and its blood put on the lobe of the right ear of Aaron and his sons, on their right thumbs, and on their right big toes. Blood from the altar and anointing oil were to be sprinkled on their garments as well.
The LORD describes the next part of the ordination ceremony. Aaron and his sons were given parts of the sacrificed animal along with bread cakes. They then waved them as an offering to the LORD. This offering was then burned on the altar in the LORD’s presence.
The LORD describes what Moses needed to do with the ram’s breast. It was to be a wave offering to the LORD and then given to Aaron and his priests. It was also meant to be a heave offering as well as a wave offering.
The LORD describes how the garments of the high priest were to be handed down to the designated replacement. This was to take place during an ordination ceremony that was to last seven days.
The LORD describes what to do with the rest of the second ram sacrifice. The flesh of the ram (minus the breast and thigh) were to be boiled and eaten by Aaron and his sons (the priests) and no one else. Any flesh leftover was to be burned because it was considered holy and was not to be used for everyday purposes.
Now that the priests had been purified and set apart for the ministry, the altar was next. Purifying the altar was also to be a seven-day process. The end result was that the altar was most holy.
The discussion now turns from the priests’ ordination ceremony to the sacrifices that were to be performed daily. What was to be offered and when the offerings were to take place. The LORD stresses the importance of these daily burnt offerings and His response to them by dwelling amongst and fellowshipping with His people.
Exodus 29 is a detailed account of what should occur in the ritual for ordaining the priests into their service to the LORD. It was to last seven days, and during that time the priests were washed, anointed, and sacrifices were made. The ceremony itself is recorded in Leviticus 8.
Exodus 29 can be outlined as follows:
- ● The Ordination Ceremony of the Priests (29:1 – 35)
- o Preparation for Ordination (29:1 – 3)
- o Washing (29:4)
- o Anointing (29:5 – 9)
- o The Sin Offering (29:10 – 14)
- o The Burnt Offering (29:15 – 18)
- o The Peace Offering (29:19 – 26, 31 – 34)
- o The Wave and Heave Offerings (29:27 – 30)
- o The Ordination Ceremony's Length (35)
- ● The Consecration of the Altar (29:36 – 37)
- ● The Dedication of the Daily Offerings (29:38 – 46)
The fact that the LORD described this ceremony in such detail shows how important it was to the nation. Israel was chosen by God to be in a special covenant relationship with Him, and Aaron and his sons were chosen to be the mediators of this covenant. Such a privileged position required a special ceremony to impress upon all of the people what the LORD required of them in terms of worship and service. It could also be a reminder to the people that they were called to serve as a priestly nation, serving as mediators to other nations (Exodus 19:5-6).
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