Exodus 28:41

And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.

And thou shalt put {H3847} them upon Aaron {H175} thy brother {H251}, and his sons {H1121} with him; and shalt anoint {H4886} them, and consecrate {H4390}{H3027} them, and sanctify {H6942} them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office {H3547}.

With them clothe your brother Aharon and his sons. Then anoint them, inaugurate them, and consecrate them, so that they will be able to serve me in the office of cohen.

After you put these garments on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint them, ordain them, and consecrate them so that they may serve Me as priests.

And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and upon his sons with him, and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priestโ€™s office.

Commentary

Exodus 28:41 is a pivotal verse outlining the divine mandate for the ordination of Aaron and his sons into the priestly office. It follows detailed instructions regarding the sacred garments, emphasizing that proper attire and a specific consecration process were essential for their sacred duties in the tabernacle.

Context of Exodus 28:41

This verse is part of a larger section (Exodus 28-29) where God gives Moses precise instructions for establishing the priesthood and its associated rituals. Having just described the intricate garments for Aaron, including the ephod, breastplate, and holy crown, God now commands Moses to perform the acts of anointing, consecrating, and sanctifying. This preparation was not merely ceremonial; it was foundational for the legitimate functioning of the Levitical priesthood, which would mediate between God and the Israelite people.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Appointment: The selection of Aaron and his sons was not a human decision but a direct command from God, highlighting the divine origin of the priesthood. Their authority to minister came solely from Him.
  • Holiness and Separation: The repeated commands to "anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them" underscore the absolute necessity of holiness for those who draw near to God in service. This separation from the common and dedication to God's purposes was non-negotiable.
  • Preparation for Ministry: The elaborate process signifies that ministry is not to be entered into lightly or without proper spiritual and ritual preparation. It requires divine enablement and a dedicated life.
  • Purpose of Priesthood: The ultimate goal was "that they may minister unto me in the priest's office." Their role was to serve God directly, facilitating worship, offering sacrifices, and teaching God's laws to the people.

Linguistic Insights

The three key verbs in this verse carry significant meaning:

  • Anoint (Hebrew: ืžึธืฉึทืื—, mashach): This means to smear or rub with oil. In the Old Testament, anointing symbolized divine selection, empowerment, and the setting apart of a person or object for a sacred purpose. Kings, prophets, and priests were anointed, signifying God's Spirit resting upon them for their appointed task.
  • Consecrate (Hebrew: ืžึธืœึตื ื™ึธื“, male' yad): Literally meaning "to fill the hand," this phrase refers to the ordination ceremony itself, where sacrifices were placed in the priests' hands, symbolizing their full authorization and enablement to perform the priestly duties. It signifies their official installation.
  • Sanctify (Hebrew: ืงึธื“ึทืฉื, qadash): This means to make holy, set apart, or dedicate. It emphasizes the purification and dedication of the priests for God's exclusive service, making them distinct from the common people and fit to approach a holy God. This concept of being set apart for God's purposes is crucial for understanding the nature of holiness in the Bible, as seen in passages like Leviticus 10:10.

Practical Application

While the Levitical priesthood has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, the principles of Exodus 28:41 remain relevant for believers today. As Christians, we are called to be a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9). This means:

  • We are divinely appointed to serve God through Christ.
  • We are called to live holy lives, set apart for God's purposes, enabled by the Holy Spirit.
  • Our service and ministry should be undertaken with reverence, preparation, and dedication to God alone.
  • Just as Aaron and his sons were consecrated to minister, so too are believers to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and service, living lives dedicated to God's glory.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 29:7

    Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour [it] upon his head, and anoint him.

  • Exodus 40:15

    And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.

  • Leviticus 10:7

    And ye shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: for the anointing oil of the LORD [is] upon you. And they did according to the word of Moses.

  • Exodus 29:9

    And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: and the priest's office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.

  • Leviticus 8:1

    ยถ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

  • Leviticus 8:36

    So Aaron and his sons did all things which the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.

  • Hebrews 7:28

    For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, [maketh] the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
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