Leviticus 8:18

And he brought the ram for the burnt offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram.

And he brought {H7126} the ram {H352} for the burnt offering {H5930}: and Aaron {H175} and his sons {H1121} laid {H5564} their hands {H3027} upon the head {H7218} of the ram {H352}.

Next, the ram for the burnt offering was presented. Aharon and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram;

Then Moses presented the ram for the burnt offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head.

And he presented the ram of the burnt-offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram.

Commentary

Leviticus 8:18 (KJV): "And he brought the ram for the burnt offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram."

Context

This verse is part of a detailed account in Leviticus 8 describing the consecration ceremony of Aaron and his sons as priests, as commanded by God through Moses. This elaborate seven-day ritual, outlined in Exodus 29, establishes the Levitical priesthood and their role in ministering at the newly erected Tabernacle. The burnt offering of the ram was one of several sacrifices performed during this ordination, following the sin offering, signifying a progression from purification to dedication.

Key Themes

  • Consecration and Ordination: The entire chapter, including this verse, is foundational to understanding the establishment of the Aaronic priesthood, marking their formal separation and dedication for sacred service to God.
  • Identification and Dedication: The act of Aaron and his sons laying their hands on the ramโ€™s head is profoundly symbolic. For a burnt offering, this gesture signified their complete identification with the sacrifice and the dedication of the animal as their own full surrender and devotion to God. It was an act of personal commitment and acceptance of the offering on their behalf.
  • Obedience to Divine Command: Moses meticulously follows every instruction given by God for the Tabernacle and its service, highlighting the importance of precise obedience in worship and divine service.
  • Atonement (General): While the burnt offering primarily symbolized dedication and worship, it also carried a general atoning aspect, signifying acceptance and forgiveness for the offeror's general sinfulness, allowing them to draw near to God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "laid their hands upon the head" is samak yadi (ืกึธืžึทืšึฐ ื™ึธื“ึทื™), which literally means "to lean, to rest, or to support hands." This physical act was a common ritual in Israelite sacrifices. While in sin offerings it explicitly symbolized the transfer of sin or guilt from the offeror to the animal, in the context of a burnt offering, it emphasized the offeror's personal identification with the sacrifice and the complete dedication of the animal to God. It was a visual representation of the offeror's heart being placed upon the offering.

Theological Significance & Cross-References

The Old Testament sacrificial system, including the burnt offering, served as a powerful foreshadowing of the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The temporary nature of animal sacrifices, which had to be repeated continually, pointed to the need for a final, once-for-all atonement. The ramโ€™s death here signifies the death of a substitute. In the New Testament, we see the fulfillment of these types in Christ's perfect sacrifice, where He Himself became the offering, bearing the sins of humanity. Believers today identify with Christ's death and resurrection, as articulated in Romans 6:3-4, rather than an animal sacrifice.

Practical Application

For believers today, Leviticus 8:18 offers several insights:

  • Total Dedication: The burnt offering was entirely consumed by fire, symbolizing complete surrender to God. This calls us to offer ourselves as "living sacrifices," holy and pleasing to God, which is our spiritual act of worship (Romans 12:1).
  • Identification with Christ: Just as Aaron and his sons identified with the ram, believers are called to identify deeply with Christ's atoning work on the cross. Our spiritual priesthood (as described in 1 Peter 2:9) means we offer spiritual sacrifices of praise, service, and good works, all made acceptable through Him.
  • The Importance of Obedience: The meticulous adherence to God's commands in the consecration ceremony underscores the importance of obedience in our walk with God and in our worship.
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

  • Leviticus 8:2

    Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, and the anointing oil, and a bullock for the sin offering, and two rams, and a basket of unleavened bread;

  • Exodus 29:15

    Thou shalt also take one ram; and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram.

  • Exodus 29:18

    And thou shalt burn the whole ram upon the altar: it [is] a burnt offering unto the LORD: it [is] a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

  • Leviticus 1:4

    And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.

  • Leviticus 1:13

    But he shall wash the inwards and the legs with water: and the priest shall bring [it] all, and burn [it] upon the altar: it [is] a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.
โ† Back