Leviticus 8:23 Ulasan

This chapter gives us an account of the solemn consecration of Aaron and his sons to the priest's office. I. It was done publicly, and the congregation was called together to be witnesses of it (Lev 8:1-4). II. It was done exactly according to God's appointment (Lev 8:5). 1. They were washed and dressed (Lev 8:6-9, Lev 8:13). 2. The tabernacle and the utensils of it were anointed, and then the priests (Lev 8:10-12). 3. A sin-offering was offered for them (Lev 8:14-17). 4. A burnt-offering (Lev 8:18-21). 5. The ram of consecration (Lev 8:22-30). 6. The continuance of this solemnity for seven days (Lev 8:31, etc.).

INTRODUCTION TO LEVITICUS 8 The order for the consecration of Aaron and his sons is renewed, Lev 8:1 which accordingly was set about and performed by Moses, Lev 8:4 who having first washed and clothed them, first Aaron, and then his sons, with the garments of the priesthood, anointing at the same time the tabernacle of the altar, and what appertained to them and Aaron also, Lev 8:6 and then he slew the bullock for the sin offering, and the ram for the burnt offering, and the ram of consecration; and did with the blood, fat, shoulder, and breast, and the meat offering belonging thereunto, as he had been directed, Lev 8:14 and the chapter is concluded with some instructions about boiling the flesh, and burning the remainder of it, and keeping the charge of the Lord night and day for seven days, Lev 8:31.

Moses is commanded to consecrate Aaron and his sons, Lev 8:1-3. Moses convenes the congregation; washes, clothes, and anoints Aaron, Lev 8:4-12. He also clothes Aaron's sons, Lev 8:13. Offers a bullock for them as a sin-offering, Lev 8:14-17. And a ram for a burnt-offering, Lev 8:18-21. And another ram for a consecration-offering, Lev 8:22-24. The fat, with cakes of unleavened bread, and the right shoulder of the ram, he offers as a wave-offering, and afterwards burns, Lev 8:25-28. The breast, which was the part of Moses, he also waves, Lev 8:29. And sprinkles oil and blood upon Aaron and his sons, Lev 8:30. The flesh of the consecration ram is to be boiled and eaten at the door of the tabernacle, Lev 8:31, Lev 8:32. Moses commands Aaron and his sons to abide seven days at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, which they do accordingly, Lev 8:33-36.

Put it upon the tip of Aaron's right ear, etc. - See this significant ceremony explained in the note on Exo 29:20 (note). Calmet remarks that the consecration of the high priest among the Romans bore a considerable resemblance to the consecration of the Jewish high priest. "The Roman priest, clothed with a garment of silk, his head covered with a crown of gold adorned with sacred ribbons, was conducted into a subterranean place, over which there was a floor of planks pierced through with many holes. On this floor they sacrificed a bullock, whose blood was freely poured out on the planks or floor, which running through the holes fell upon the priest, who stood under to receive this sacred aspersion, and who, in order to be completely covered with the blood, took care to present the whole of his body, his clothes, face, eyes, nose, lips, and even his tongue, to receive the drops of blood falling through the pierced floor above. Being completely covered with this sanguineous shower, he ascended from his subterranean place, and was acknowledged and adored by the people as Pontifex Maximus, or supreme high priest." These rites, which bear a striking allusion to those used in the consecration of Aaron, and from which they were probably borrowed, and disguised by the introduction of their own superstitions, are particularly described by Aurelius Prudentius, in his poem entitled Romani Martyris Supplicium, from which I shall select those verses, the subject of which is given above, as the passage is curious, and the work not common. "Summus sacerdos nempe sub terram scrobe Acta in profundum consecrandus mergitur, Mire infulatus, festa vittis tempora Nectens, corona tum repexus aurea, Cinctu Gabino sericam fultus togam. Tabulis superne strata texunt pulpita, Rimosa rari pegmatis compagibus, Scindunt subinde vel terebrant aream, Crebroque lignum perforant acumine, Pateat minutis ut frequens hiatibus - Hic ut statuta est immolanda bellua, Pectus sacrata dividunt venabulo, Eructat amplum volnus undam sanguinis - etc. Tum per frequentes mille rimarum vias Illapsus imber, tabidum rorem pluit, Defossus intus quem sacerdos excipit, Guttas ad omnes turpe subjectans caput, Et veste et omni putrefactus corpore: Quin os supinat, obvias offert genas Supponit aures, labra, nares objicit, Oculos et ipsos perluit liquoribus, Nec jam palato parcit, et linguam rigat, Donec cruorem totus atrum combibat - Procedit inde pontifex vlsu horridus - etc. Omnes salutant atque adorant eminus, Vilis quod illum sanguls, et bos mortuus Foedis latentem sub cavernis laverint." Of these lines the reader will not be displeased to find the following poetical version: - "For when, with sacred pomp and solemn state, Their great high priest the Romans consecrate, His silken vest in Gabine cincture bound, A festal fillet twines his temples round: And, while aloft the gorgeous mitre shines, His awful brow a golden crown confines. In a deep dyke, for mystic ritual made, He stands, surrounded with terrific shade. High o'er his holy head a stage they place, Adorn with paintings, and with statues grace; Then with keen piercers perforate the floor, Till thronging apertures admit no more. Thither the victim ox is now convey'd, To glut the vengeance of the thirsty blade. The sacred spear his sturdy throat divides, Down, instant streaming, gush the gory tides, Through countless crevices the gaping wood Distils corrupted dew and smoking blood; Drop after drop, in swift succession shed, Falls on the holy pontiff's mitred head; While, to imbibe the sanctifying power, His outspread garments drink the crimson shower; Then on his back in reeking streams he lies, And laves in livid blood his lips and eyes; Bares every limb, exposes every pore, To catch the virtue of the streaming gore; With open mouth expects the falling flood, Moistens his palate and his tongue with blood; Extends his ears to meet the sanguine rain, Nor lets a single drop descend in vain. Then from the gloomy cave comes forth to light, Bathed in black blood, and horrible to sight! - By the vile torrent, and the victim slain, In the dark cavern cleansed from mortal stain, Their priest, enveloped in atoning gore, With trembling awe surrounding throngs adore." Prudentius was born about the middle of the fourth century, and was no doubt intimately acquainted with the circumstances he describes.

MOSES CONSECRATES AARON AND HIS SONS. (Lev. 8:1-36) Take Aaron and his sons--The consecration of Aaron and his sons had been ordered long before (Exo. 29:1-46), but it is now described with all the details of the ceremonial, as it was gone through after the tabernacle was completed and the regulations for the various sacrifices enacted.

Induction of Aaron and His Sonsinto the Priestly Office - Leviticus 8-10 To the law of sacrifice there is appended first of all an account of the fulfilment of the divine command to sanctify Aaron and his sons as priests, which Moses had received upon the mount along with the laws concerning the erection of the sanctuary of the tabernacle (Ex 28 and 29). This command could not properly be carried out till after the appointment and regulation of the institution of sacrifice, because most of the laws of sacrifice had some bearing upon this act. The sanctification of the persons, whom God had called to be His priests, consisted in a solemn consecration of these persons to their office by investiture, anointing, and sacrifice (ch. 8), - their solemn entrance upon their office by sacrifices for themselves and the people (ch. 9), - the sanctification of their priesthood by the judgment of God upon the eldest sons of Aaron, when about to offer strange, fire-and certain instructions, occasioned by this occurrence, concerning the conduct of the priests in the performance of their service (ch. 10).