Leviticus9

On the eighth day, Moses commanded Aaron to begin his priestly duties by offering sacrifices for himself and the people. Aaron performed the prescribed sin, burnt, and peace offerings at the altar according to divine instruction. Following these acts, Moses and Aaron blessed the congregation, and the glory of the LORD appeared, with fire consuming the sacrifices as a divine confirmation.

The Eighth Day: Instructions for the First Offerings

1
On the eighth day, Moshe called Aharon, his sons and the leaders of Isra'el, ​
2
and said to Aharon, "Take a male calf for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering, both without defect, and offer them before ADONAI.
3
Then tell the people of Isra'el, 'Take a male goat for a sin offering and a calf and a lamb, both a year old and without defect, for a burnt offering,
4
and an ox and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before ADONAI; also a grain offering mixed with olive oil -because today ADONAI is going to appear to you.'" ​
5
They brought what Moshe had ordered before the tent of meeting, and the whole community approached and stood before ADONAI.
6
Moshe said, "This is what ADONAI has ordered you to do, so that the glory of ADONAI will appear to you."
7
Moshe told Aharon, "Approach the altar, offer your sin offering and burnt offering, and make atonement for yourself and the people. Then present the offering of the people and make atonement for them, as ADONAI ordered." ​

Aaron Offers Sacrifices for Himself

8
So Aharon approached the altar and slaughtered the calf of the sin offering which was for himself.
9
The sons of Aharon presented the blood to him; and he dipped his finger in the blood and put it on the horns of the altar; then he poured out the blood at the base of the altar.
10
But the fat, the kidneys and the covering of the liver of the sin offering he made go up in smoke on the altar, as ADONAI had ordered Moshe.
11
The meat and the skin were burned up completely outside the camp. ​
12
Next he slaughtered the burnt offering; Aharon's sons brought him the blood, and he splashed it against all sides of the altar.
13
They brought him the burnt offering, piece by piece, and the head; and he made them go up in smoke on the altar.
14
He washed the inner organs and the lower parts of the legs and made them go up in smoke on top of the burnt offering on the altar.

Aaron Offers Sacrifices for the People

15
Then the people's offering was presented. He took the goat of the sin offering which was for the people, slaughtered it and offered it for sin, like the earlier sin offering.
16
The burnt offering was presented, and he offered it in the prescribed manner.
17
The grain offering was presented; he took a handful of it and made it go up in smoke on the altar, in addition to the morning's burnt offering. ​
18
He slaughtered the ox and the ram, the people's sacrifice as peace offerings; Aharon's sons brought him the blood, which he splashed against all sides of the altar,
19
and the fat of the ox and of the ram - the fat tail, the fat which covers the inner organs, the kidneys and the covering of the liver.
20
They put the fat on the breasts, and he made the fat go up in smoke on the altar.
21
The breasts and right thigh Aharon waved as a wave offering before ADONAI, as Moshe had ordered. ​
22
Aharon raised his hands toward the people, blessed them and came down from offering the sin offering, the burnt offering and the peace offerings. ​

The Glory of the Lord Appears

23
Moshe and Aharon entered the tent of meeting, came out and blessed the people. Then the glory of ADONAI appeared to all the people! ​
24
Fire came forth from the presence of ADONAI, consuming the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces. ​

Study Notes for Leviticus 9

Verse 1

The 'eighth day' marks the successful completion of the seven-day ordination period (Lev. 8), signifying a new beginning and the official commencement of the Tabernacle service.

Verse 4

The promise, 'for to day the LORD will appear unto you,' links the successful performance of the sacrifices directly to the manifestation of God’s glorious presence (the *kavod*).

Verse 7

This instruction emphasizes that Aaron, though consecrated, must first make atonement for himself before he can mediate or offer sacrifices on behalf of the people’s sin.

Verse 11

Burning the flesh and hide outside the camp signifies the complete removal and impurity of the sin offering, ensuring that no part of the sin remains within the holy premises.

Verse 17

The grain offering (meat offering) was typically offered alongside the burnt offering, signifying the dedication of the worshiper’s daily labor and provisions to God.

Verse 21

The wave offering was a specific ritual dedicating the offering to God. The meat returned to the priest (breasts and shoulder) symbolized God providing sustenance for those who served him.

Verse 22

This is Aaron's first official act as High Priest, invoking a blessing upon the people. This act established his necessary role as the designated mediator between the holy God and sinful Israel.

Verse 23

Moses and Aaron likely went into the Tabernacle to receive final instructions or to intercede before the Lord, preparing the people for the promised divine manifestation.

Verse 24

The 'fire out from before the LORD' dramatically confirmed the divine acceptance of Aaron’s priesthood and the newly instituted sacrificial system. The people's reaction demonstrates fear and reverence before God’s holiness.

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