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.

And thou shalt gird {H2296} them with girdles {H73}, Aaron {H175} and his sons {H1121}, and put {H2280} the bonnets {H4021} on them: and the priest's office {H3550} shall be theirs for a perpetual {H5769} statute {H2708}: and thou shalt consecrate {H4390}{H3027} Aaron {H175} and his sons {H1121}.

wrap sashes around them, Aharon and his sons; and put the headgear on their heads. The office of cohen is to be theirs by a permanent regulation. Thus you will consecrate Aharon and his sons.

Wrap the sashes around Aaron and his sons and tie headbands on them. The priesthood shall be theirs by a permanent statute. In this way you are to ordain Aaron and his sons.

And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and bind head-tires on them: and they shall have the priesthood by a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.

Commentary

Exodus 29:9 KJV Commentary

Exodus 29:9 is a foundational verse in the narrative of the Old Testament priesthood, detailing specific instructions for the ordination of Aaron and his sons. This passage underscores the meticulous nature of God's commands regarding sacred service and worship, establishing a system that would point to a greater reality.

Context

This verse is part of a lengthy and detailed set of instructions given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai concerning the consecration of Aaron and his sons for the priestly office. Chapters 28 and 29 of Exodus lay out the divine blueprint for the tabernacle, its furnishings, the priestly garments, and the elaborate seven-day ordination ceremony. Following the washing and anointing, this verse describes the final items of clothingโ€”the girdles and bonnetsโ€”and formally establishes the perpetuity of their office. The entire process was designed to set apart specific individuals to mediate between God and the Israelites, handle sacred objects, and offer sacrifices for the atonement of sins.

Key Themes

  • Divine Appointment and Ordination: The verse highlights that the priestly office was not a human invention but a direct divine command. God chose Aaron and his sons, and the elaborate rituals of Exodus 28:1 and chapter 29 served to consecrate them, setting them apart for sacred service.
  • Holiness and Separation: The specific garments, including the girdles and bonnets, symbolized the purity and distinction required of those who served in God's presence. Every detail emphasized the holiness of God and the need for those approaching Him to be ritually clean and set apart.
  • Perpetual Statute: The phrase "perpetual statute" (Hebrew: choq olam) signifies an enduring and everlasting decree. This established the Levitical priesthood as a permanent institution within the Old Covenant, ensuring a continuous line of mediators for Israel. While the ceremonial law was fulfilled in Christ, the principle of a priesthood for God's people endures.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Perpetual statute": The Hebrew phrase choq olam (ื—ึนืง ืขื•ึนืœึธื) emphasizes an enduring ordinance or decree. This term is used elsewhere to describe laws that were to remain in force throughout the generations of Israel under the Old Covenant. It speaks to the stability and divine authority behind the priestly system.
  • "Consecrate": The Hebrew verb used here, milu yadam (ืžึดืœึผื•ึผ ื™ึธื“ึธื), literally means "to fill their hands." This refers to a specific part of the ordination ceremony where portions of the sacrifice were placed into the hands of the priests, symbolizing their empowerment and equipping for service. It signifies receiving authority and responsibility for their sacred duties.

Practical Application

While the Levitical priesthood and its rituals have been fulfilled in Jesus Christ, our great High Priest (Hebrews 7:11-12), this verse still offers profound lessons for believers today:

  • God's Call to Service: Just as Aaron and his sons were specifically called and set apart, all believers are called to serve God. We are called to be a "holy priesthood" and a "royal priesthood," offering spiritual sacrifices (1 Peter 2:9).
  • Holiness in Ministry: The meticulous instructions for the priests underscore the importance of reverence, purity, and integrity in all forms of ministry and service to God. Our lives, whether in public or private, should reflect the holiness of the God we serve.
  • Divine Authority: Understanding that the Old Testament priesthood was divinely instituted reminds us that true spiritual authority comes from God alone. Our service should always be aligned with His will and Word, rather than human traditions or preferences.
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

  • Numbers 18:7

    Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest's office for every thing of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest's office [unto you] as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

  • Leviticus 8:22

    And he brought the other ram, the ram of consecration: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram.

  • Leviticus 8:28

    And Moses took them from off their hands, and burnt [them] on the altar upon the burnt offering: they [were] consecrations for a sweet savour: it [is] an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

  • Deuteronomy 18:5

    For the LORD thy God hath chosen him out of all thy tribes, to stand to minister in the name of the LORD, him and his sons for ever.

  • Numbers 16:40

    [To be] a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which [is] not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses.

  • Numbers 3:10

    And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest's office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

  • Leviticus 8:33

    And ye shall not go out of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation [in] seven days, until the days of your consecration be at an end: for seven days shall he consecrate you.
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