Exodus 40:13

And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.

And thou shalt put {H3847} upon Aaron {H175} the holy {H6944} garments {H899}, and anoint {H4886} him, and sanctify {H6942} him; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office {H3547}.

Put the holy garments on Aharon, anoint him, and consecrate him, so that he can serve me in the office of cohen.

And you are to clothe Aaron with the holy garments, anoint him, and consecrate him, so that he may serve Me as a priest.

And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments; and thou shalt anoint him, and sanctify him, that he may minister unto me in the priestโ€™s office.

Commentary

Context

Exodus 40:13 marks a pivotal moment in the book of Exodus, occurring at the culmination of God's instructions for and the subsequent construction of the Tabernacle. Chapter 40 describes the final assembly of the Tabernacle and the placement of its furnishings, culminating in the glory of the Lord filling the dwelling place (Exodus 40:34). This verse specifically details God's command to Moses regarding the consecration of Aaron, preparing him for his sacred role as the first High Priest of Israel. It emphasizes the divine institution of the Levitical priesthood, essential for the worship and atonement system established by God among His people.

Key Themes

  • Divine Appointment and Consecration: The verse highlights that Aaron's priestly office was not self-appointed but divinely ordained. The acts of putting on the holy garments, anointing, and sanctifying were specific rituals commanded by God to set Aaron apart for sacred service. This underscores the necessity of divine call and purification for those who would minister before the Lord.
  • Holiness Required for Ministry: The "holy garments" and the command to "sanctify him" emphasize the absolute holiness required for approaching God. The priest acted as a mediator, and his purity was essential for the acceptability of the sacrifices and prayers offered on behalf of the people. This prefigures the ultimate holiness of Christ, our perfect High Priest.
  • The Significance of Anointing: The act of "anointing" with sacred oil (Hebrew: mashach, from which the word 'Messiah' derives) symbolized being set apart by God's Spirit for a specific, holy purpose. It conferred authority and equipped Aaron for his duties, marking him as God's chosen representative.
  • Foundation of the Priesthood: This command lays the groundwork for the entire Old Testament sacrificial and priestly system, which would govern Israel's relationship with God for centuries. The priest's office was crucial for maintaining covenant faithfulness and facilitating reconciliation.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms used in this verse carry significant weight:

  • "Anoint" (ืžึธืฉึทืื— - mashach): This verb means to smear or rub with oil, specifically for consecration. It signifies the divine appointment and endowment with authority. Kings, prophets, and priests in ancient Israel were anointed, signifying their being set apart by God.
  • "Sanctify" (ืงึธื“ึทืฉื - qadash): This verb means to make holy, purify, or set apart for sacred use. It implies a separation from common use and a dedication to God's service, emphasizing the purity required for divine interaction.
  • "Holy garments" (ื‘ึดึผื’ึฐื“ึตื™ ื”ึทืงึนึผื“ึถืฉื - bigdei ha-kodesh): These were not ordinary clothes but specially designed and consecrated attire, detailed in Exodus 28:2-43, signifying Aaron's unique role and the holiness of his office.

Practical Application

While the Levitical priesthood has been superseded by Christ's perfect high priesthood, Exodus 40:13 offers enduring principles for believers today:

  • God Calls and Equips: Just as God called and equipped Aaron, He calls and equips believers for service in His kingdom. Our abilities and spiritual gifts are consecrated by Him for His purposes.
  • The Need for Holiness: Though we no longer offer animal sacrifices, the principle of holiness for approaching God remains. Through Christ, we are made holy (Hebrews 10:10) and are called to live consecrated lives, set apart for God's glory (1 Peter 1:15-16).
  • Our Priestly Role: As believers, we are designated a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), called to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise, service, and our very lives to God. This requires spiritual cleansing and dedication, made possible through the work of Jesus Christ, our ultimate High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16).
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 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.

  • 1 John 2:20

    ยถ But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

  • 1 John 2:27

    But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

  • John 17:19

    And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

  • Hebrews 10:29

    Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

  • Isaiah 61:1

    ยถ The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound;

  • John 3:34

    For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure [unto him].
โ† Back