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Commentary on Exodus 29 verses 1–37
Here is, I. The law concerning the consecration of Aaron and his sons to the priest's office, which was to be done with a great deal of ceremony and solemnity, that they themselves might be duly affected with the greatness of the work to which they were called, and that the people also might learn to magnify the office and none might dare to invade it.
1.The ceremonies wherewith it was to be done were very fully and particularly appointed, because nothing of this kind had been done before, and because it was to be a statute for ever that the high priest should be thus inaugurated. Now,
(1.)The work to be done was the consecrating of the persons whom God had chosen to be priests, by which they devoted and gave up themselves to the service of God and God declared his acceptance of them; and the people were made to know that they glorified not themselves to be made priests, but were called of God, Heb 5:4, Heb 5:5. They were thus distinguished from common men, sequestered from common services, and set apart for God and an immediate attendance on him. Note, All that are to be employed for God are to be sanctified to him. The person must first be accepted, and then the performance. The Hebrew phrase for consecrating is filling the hand (Exo 29:9): Thou shalt fill the hand of Aaron and his sons, and the ram of consecration is the ram of fillings, Exo 29:22, Exo 29:26. The consecrating of them was the perfecting of them; Christ is said to be perfect or consecrated for evermore, Heb 7:28. Probably the phrase here is borrowed from the putting of the sacrifice into their hand, to be waved before the Lord, Exo 29:24. But it intimates, [1.] That ministers have their hands full; they have no time to trifle, so great, so copious, so constant is their work. [2.] That they must have their hands filled. Of necessity they must have something to offer, and they cannot find it in themselves, it must be given them from above. They cannot fill the people's hearts unless God fill their hands; to him therefore they must go, and receive from his fulness.
(2.)The person to do it was Moses, by God's appointment. Though he was ordained for men, yet the people were not to consecrate him; Moses the servant of the Lord, and his agent herein, must do it. By God's special appointment he now did the priest's work, and therefore that which was the priest's part of the sacrifice was here ordered to be his, Exo 29:26.
(3.)The place was at the door of the tabernacle of meeting, Exo 29:4. God was pleased to dwell in the tabernacle, the people attending in the courts, so that the door between the court and the tabernacle was the fittest place for those to be consecrated in who were to mediate between God and man, and to stand between both, and lay their hands (as it were) upon both. They were consecrated at the door, for they were to be door-keepers.
(4.)It was done with many ceremonies.
[1.]They were to be washed (Exo 29:4), signifying that those must be clean who bear the vessels of the Lord, Isa 52:11. Those that would perfect holiness must cleanse themselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, Co2 7:1; Isa 1:16-18. They were now washed all over; but afterwards, when they went in to minister, they washed only their hands and feet (Exo 30:19); for he that is washed needs no more, Joh 13:10.
[2.]They were to be clothed with the holy garments (Exo 29:5, Exo 29:6, Exo 29:8, Exo 29:9), to signify that it was not sufficient for them to put away the pollutions of sin, but they must put on the graces of the Spirit, be clothed with righteousness, Psa 132:9. They must be girded, as men prepared and strengthened for their work; and they must be robed and crowned, as men that counted their work and office their true honour.
[3.]The high priest was to be anointed with the holy anointing oil (Exo 29:7), that the church might be filled and delighted with the sweet savour of his administrations (for ointment and perfume rejoice the heart), and in token of the pouring out of the Spirit upon him, to qualify him for his work. Brotherly love is compared to this oil with which Aaron was anointed, Psa 133:2. The inferior priests are said to be anointed (Exo 30:30), not on their heads, as the high priest (Lev 21:10), the oil was only mingled with the blood that was sprinkled upon their garments.
[4.]Sacrifices were to be offered for them. The covenant of priesthood, as all other covenants, must be made by sacrifice.
First, There must be a sin-offering, to make atonement for them, Exo 29:10-14. The law made those priests that had infirmity, and therefore they must first offer for their own sin, before they could make atonement for the people, Heb 7:27, Heb 7:28. They were to put their hand on the head of their sacrifice (Exo 29:10), confessing that they deserved to die for their own sin, and desiring that the killing of the beast might expiate their guilt, and be accepted as a vicarious satisfaction. It was used as other sin-offerings were; only, whereas the flesh of other sin-offerings was eaten by the priests (Lev 10:18), in token of the priest's taking away the sin of the people, this was appointed to be all burnt without the camp (Exo 29:14), to signify the imperfection of the legal dispensation (as the learned bishop Patrick notes); for the sins of the priests themselves could not be taken away by those sacrifices, but they must expect a better high priest and a better sacrifice.
Secondly, There must be a burnt-offering, a ram wholly burnt, to the honour of God, in token of the dedication of themselves wholly to God and to his service, as living sacrifices, kindled with the fire and ascending in the flame of holy love, Exo 29:15-18. The sin-offering must first be offered and then the burnt-offering; for, till guilt be removed, no acceptable service can be performed, Isa 6:7.
Thirdly, There must be a peace-offering; it is called the ram of consecration, because there was more in this peculiar to the occasion than in the other two. In the burnt-offering God had the glory of their priesthood, in this they had the comfort of it; and, in token of a mutual covenant between God and them, 1. The blood of the sacrifice was divided between God and them (Exo 29:20, Exo 29:21); part of the blood was sprinkled upon the altar round about, and part put upon them, upon their bodies (Exo 29:20), and upon their garments, Exo 29:21. Thus the benefit of the expiation made by the sacrifice was applied and assured to them, and their whole selves from head to foot sanctified to the service of God. The blood was put upon the extreme parts of the body, to signify that it was all, as it were, enclosed and taken in for God, the tip of the ear and the great toe not excepted. We reckon that the blood and oil sprinkled upon garments spot and stain them; yet the holy oil, and the blood of the sacrifice, sprinkled upon their garments, must be looked upon as the greatest adorning imaginable to them, for they signified the blood of Christ, and the graces of the Spirit, which constitute and complete the beauty of holiness, and recommend us to God; we read of robes made white with the blood of the Lamb. 2. The flesh of the sacrifice, with the meat-offering annexed to it, was likewise divided between God and them, that (to speak with reverence) God and they might feast together, in token of friendship and fellowship. (1.) Part of it was to be first waved before the Lord, and then burnt upon the altar; part of the flesh (Exo 29:22), part of the bread, for bread and flesh must go together (Exo 29:23); these were first put into the hands of Aaron to be waved to and fro, in token of their being offered to God (who, though unseen, yet compasses us round on every side), and then they were to be burnt upon the altar (Exo 29:24, Exo 29:25), for the altar was to devour God's part of the sacrifice. Thus God admitted Aaron and his sons to be his servants, and wait at his table, taking the mat of his altar from their hands. Here, in a parenthesis, as it were, comes in the law concerning the priests' part of the peace-offerings afterwards, the breast and shoulder, which were now divided; Moses had the breast, and the shoulder was burnt on the altar with God's part, Exo 29:26-28. (2.) The other part, both of the flesh of the ram and of the bread, Aaron and his sons were to eat at the door of the tabernacle (Exo 29:31-33), to signify that he called them not only servants but friends, Joh 15:15. He supped with them, and they with him. Their eating of the things wherewith the atonement was made signified their receiving the atonement, as the expression is (Rom 5:11), their thankful acceptance of the benefit of it, and their joyful communion with God thereupon, which was the true intent and meaning of a feast upon a sacrifice. If any of it was left, it must be burnt, that it might not be in any danger of putrefying, and to show that it was an extraordinary peace-offering.
2.The time that was to be spent in this consecration: Seven days shalt thou consecrate them, Exo 29:35. Though all the ceremonies were performed on the first day, yet, (1.) They were not to look upon their consecration as completed till the seven days' end, which put a solemnity upon their admission, and a distance between this and their former state, and obliged them to enter upon their work with a pause, giving them time to consider the weight and seriousness of it. This was to be observed in after-ages, Exo 29:30. He that was to succeed Aaron in the high-priesthood must put on the holy garments seven days together, in token of a deliberate and gradual advance into his office, and that one sabbath might pass over him in his consecration. (2.) Every day of the seven, in this first consecration, a bullock was to be offered for a sin-offering (Exo 29:36), which was to intimate to them, [1.] That it was of very great concern to them to get their sins pardoned, and that though atonement was made, and they had the comfort of it, yet they must still keep up a penitent sense of sin and often repeat the confession of it. [2.] That those sacrifices which were thus offered day by day to make atonement could not make the comers thereunto perfect, for then they would have ceased to be offered, as the apostle argues, Heb 10:1, Heb 10:2. They must therefore expect the bringing in of a better hope.
3.This consecration of the priests was a shadow of good things to come. (1.) Our Lord Jesus is the great high-priest of our profession, called of God to be so, consecrated for evermore, anointed with the Spirit above his fellows (whence he is called Messiah, the Christ), clothed with the holy garments, even with glory and beauty, sanctified by his own blood, not that of bullocks and rams (Heb 9:12), made perfect, or consecrated, through sufferings, Heb 2:10. Thus in him this was a perpetual statute, Exo 29:9. (2.) All believers are spiritual priests, to offer spiritual sacrifices (Pe1 2:5), washed in the blood of Christ, and so made to our God priests, Rev 1:5, Rev 1:6. They also are clothed with the beauty of holiness, and have received the anointing, Jo1 2:27. Their hands are filled with work, to which they must continually attend; and it is through Christ, the great sacrifice, that they are dedicated to this service. His blood sprinkled upon the conscience purges it from dead works, that they may, as priests, serve the living God. The Spirit of God (as Ainsworth notes) is called the finger of God (Luk 11:20, compared with Mat 12:28), and by him the merit of Christ is effectually applied to our souls, as here Moses with his finger was to put the blood upon Aaron. It is likewise intimated that gospel ministers are to be solemnly set apart to the work of the ministry with great deliberation and seriousness both in the ordainers and in the ordained, as those that are to be employed in a great work and entrusted with a great charge.
II. The consecration of the altar, which seems to have been coincident with that of the priests, and the sin-offerings which were offered every day for seven days together had reference to the altar as well as the priests, Exo 29:36, Exo 29:37. An atonement was made for the altar. Though that was not a subject capable of sin, nor, having never yet been used, could it be said to be polluted with the sins of the people, yet, since the fall, there can be no sanctification to God but there must first be an atonement for sin, which renders us both unworthy and unfit to be employed for God. The altar was also sanctified, not only set apart itself to a sacred use, but made so holy as to sanctify the gifts that were offered upon it, Mat 23:19. Christ is our altar; for our sakes he sanctified himself, that we and our performances might be sanctified and recommended to God, Joh 17:19.
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SUMMARY
Exodus 29:23 meticulously details the specific bread offerings—a loaf, an oiled cake, and a wafer—to be included in the ordination ceremony for Aaron and his sons. These items, drawn from a basket of unleavened bread presented "before the LORD," were essential components of the ritual that consecrated the priests for their sacred service, signifying the divine precision, purity, and sustenance required for their holy office and the meticulous nature of God's commands for worship.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Exodus 29:23 prominently employs Symbolism. Each type of bread—the loaf, the oiled cake, and the wafer—carries distinct symbolic weight. The loaf represents basic sustenance and wholeness, while the oiled cake specifically symbolizes divine anointing and empowerment, crucial for priestly service. The wafer, thin and delicate, might emphasize the meticulousness of the divine command or the humility required in service. The overarching symbol of unleavened bread speaks powerfully to purity, sincerity, and freedom from corruption, a foundational requirement for those approaching a holy God. Furthermore, the phrase "before the LORD" utilizes Metonymy, where "the LORD" stands for His manifest presence at the altar, emphasizing the direct divine audience for this sacred ritual. The Precision of the instructions, detailing not just "bread" but specific types and quantities, highlights God's absolute sovereignty over worship and the gravity of the priestly office.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 29:23 profoundly illustrates God's meticulousness in establishing the means by which a sinful people could approach a holy God. The specific bread offerings, particularly their unleavened nature, underscore the absolute necessity of purity and consecration for those who would mediate between God and humanity. This divine specification reveals that worship and service are not to be approached casually or according to human preference, but strictly according to God's revealed will. The offerings also symbolize God's provision for His chosen servants and the sustenance required for their sacred duties, while simultaneously representing the priests' dedication and offering of themselves to the Lord. This act of setting apart, facilitated by precise offerings, establishes a pattern for all who would draw near to God, emphasizing holiness and divine appointment and setting the stage for a deeper understanding of true access to the divine.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific rituals of the Aaronic priesthood have been fulfilled in Christ, the principles embedded in Exodus 29:23 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. As a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), we are called to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God. This verse reminds us that our approach to God, whether in personal devotion, corporate worship, or service, must be marked by intentionality, purity, and reverence. The unleavened bread symbolizes a life free from malice and wickedness, urging us to present ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1). Just as the priests were divinely empowered, we too rely on the anointing of the Holy Spirit for effective service, recognizing that our spiritual "offerings" are not merely human effort but divinely enabled. Our praise, our gifts, our time, our very lives—should be presented with the same meticulous care and dedication, recognizing that we are serving "before the LORD," in His holy presence.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why were three specific types of bread required, and what was the significance of each?
Answer: The requirement for three distinct types of bread—a loaf, an oiled cake, and a wafer—underscores the meticulous nature of God's instructions for the priestly ordination, symbolizing completeness and divine precision in worship. The "one loaf of bread" (Hebrew, kikkâr') likely represented a basic, whole offering, signifying sustenance and the comprehensive nature of the consecration. The "one cake of oiled bread" was particularly significant, as the oil (Hebrew, shemen') often symbolized divine anointing and the Holy Spirit's empowerment, essential for priestly service. The "one wafer" (Hebrew, râqîyq'), a thin, flat cake, completed the set, emphasizing that every detail, no matter how small, was important in approaching God. All were taken from a basket of "unleavened bread" (Hebrew, matstsâh'), which universally symbolized purity and freedom from corruption, a vital prerequisite for those ministering "before the LORD" (Exodus 29:23).
What does it mean for these offerings to be "before the LORD"?
Answer: The phrase "before the LORD" signifies that the offerings were presented in God's immediate presence, at the altar within the Tabernacle, which was the designated dwelling place of God among His people. This emphasizes the divine recipient and audience of the entire consecration ceremony. It means that the ritual was not merely a human formality but a sacred act performed directly for God's acceptance and approval. It highlights the holiness of the Tabernacle and the gravity of the priestly office, as those who served were literally ministering in the very presence of the Almighty God of Israel (Exodus 29:23). This concept underscores the need for purity, precision, and reverence in all acts of worship and service directed towards God, reminding us that God is actively present and observing.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 29:23, with its meticulous instructions for bread offerings in the priestly ordination, finds its profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The unleavened bread, symbolizing purity and freedom from sin, foreshadows Christ, our perfect High Priest, who was "holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens" (Hebrews 7:26). Unlike the Aaronic priests who offered sacrifices for their own sins before they could offer for others (Hebrews 7:27), Christ had no sin and offered Himself as the ultimate, spotless sacrifice, fulfilling all the requirements of the Law. Furthermore, the "oiled bread" hints at the divine anointing necessary for priestly service, which is perfectly embodied in Jesus, who was anointed with the Holy Spirit without measure (John 3:34) for His ministry as Prophet, Priest, and King. He is the true "Bread of Life" (John 6:35), who perfectly offered Himself "before the LORD" on the cross, not just as an offering for a temporary priesthood, but as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), establishing a new and better covenant through His perfect and eternal priesthood (Hebrews 8:6).