Leviticus 8:18

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And he brought the ram for the burnt offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Next, the ram for the burnt offering was presented. Aharon and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram;

Berean Standard Bible:

Then Moses presented the ram for the burnt offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head.

American Standard Version:

And he presented the ram of the burnt-offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And he brought^{H7126} the ram^{H352} for the burnt offering^{H5930}: and Aaron^{H175} and his sons^{H1121} laid^{H5564} their hands^{H3027} upon the head^{H7218} of the ram^{H352}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Leviticus 8:18

1. **Themes:**
- **Consecration and Ordination:** Leviticus 8:18 is part of the narrative describing the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests. The laying on of hands symbolizes the transfer of sins from the priests to the sacrifice, signifying purification and dedication to God's service.
- **Sacrifice and Atonement:** The burnt offering represents complete dedication to God, with the ram being entirely consumed on the altar, symbolizing atonement for sin and the offering of oneself to God.
- **Divine Instruction:** The detailed account of the ritual underscores the importance of following God's instructions precisely, a common theme in Leviticus, which outlines the proper conduct for worship and religious observance.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Mosaic Law:** The verse is set within the broader context of the Mosaic Law, which was given to the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt. These laws were meant to guide the religious and social life of the Israelite community.
- **Wilderness Period:** The events in Leviticus, including the ordination of priests, occurred during the wilderness period, after the Israelites' departure from Egypt and before their entry into the Promised Land.
- **Establishment of Priesthood:** The consecration of Aaron and his sons established the priesthood, which would play a central role in the religious life of Israel. This event marked the formal beginning of the priestly duties that would be carried out in the Tabernacle, and later the Temple.
- **Cultic Practice:** The rituals described reflect the cultic practices of the ancient Near East, with adaptations that emphasized the unique relationship between God and the Israelites. The practices were meant to distinguish Israel's worship from that of neighboring peoples.

In summary, Leviticus 8:18 is a snapshot of the intricate and symbolic rituals that were central to the establishment of the Israelite priesthood, reflecting the themes of consecration, atonement, and adherence to divine law within the historical context of the wilderness period and the formation of Israel's religious identity.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7126
   There are 259 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָרַב
   Transliteration: qârab
   Pronunciation: kaw-rab'
   Description: a primitive root; to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose; (cause to) approach, (cause to) bring (forth, near), (cause to) come (near, nigh), (cause to) draw near (nigh), go (near), be at hand, join, be near, offer, present, produce, make ready, stand, take.
   
2. Strong's Number: H352
   There are 256 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַיִל
   Transliteration: ʼayil
   Pronunciation: ah'-yil
   Description: from the same as אוּל; properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically a chief (politically); also a ram (from his strength); a pilaster (as a strong support); an oak or other strong tree; mighty (man), lintel, oak, post, ram, tree.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5930
   There are 262 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֹלָה
   Transliteration: ʻôlâh
   Pronunciation: o-law'
   Description: or עוֹלָה; feminine active participle of עָלָה; a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke); ascent, burnt offering (sacrifice), go up to. See also עֶוֶל.
   
4. Strong's Number: H175
   There are 480 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַהֲרוֹן
   Transliteration: ʼAhărôwn
   Pronunciation: a-har-one'
   Description: of uncertain derivation; Aharon, the brother of Moses; Aaron.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1121
   There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּן
   Transliteration: bên
   Pronunciation: bane
   Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
   
6. Strong's Number: H5564
   There are 47 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: סָמַךְ
   Transliteration: çâmak
   Pronunciation: saw-mak'
   Description: a primitive root; to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a favorable or unfavorable sense); bear up, establish, (up-) hold, lay, lean, lie hard, put, rest self, set self, stand fast, stay (self), sustain.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3027
   There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָד
   Transliteration: yâd
   Pronunciation: yawd
   Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves.
   
8. Strong's Number: H7218
   There are 548 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רֹאשׁ
   Transliteration: rôʼsh
   Pronunciation: roshe
   Description: from an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.); band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top.