Leviticus 8:22

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And he brought {H7126} the other {H8145} ram {H352}, the ram {H352} of consecration {H4394}: and Aaron {H175} and his sons {H1121} laid {H5564} their hands {H3027} upon the head {H7218} of the ram {H352}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then the other ram was presented, the ram of consecration; Aharon and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram.

Berean Standard Bible

After that, Moses presented the other ram, the ram of ordination, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 8:22 describes a pivotal moment in the seven-day ordination ceremony of Aaron and his sons as priests in ancient Israel. This verse focuses on the "ram of consecration," a specific offering through which Aaron and his sons formally participate by laying their hands upon its head. This act signifies their identification with the sacrifice and their complete dedication and investiture into the sacred office of the priesthood, establishing their divine appointment as mediators for the nation of Israel and underscoring the gravity and holiness of their calling.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within [Leviticus 8](/leviticus/8 "Leviticus 8 - The Ordination of Aaron and His Sons"), which meticulously details the elaborate seven-day ordination ceremony for Aaron and his sons, fulfilling the divine commands given earlier in [Exodus 29](/exodus/29 "Exodus 29 - Instructions for Priestly Ordination"). Prior to [Leviticus 8:22](/leviticus/8-22 "Leviticus 8:22 - The Ram of Consecration"), Moses had already performed the sin offering ([Leviticus 8:14](/leviticus/8-14 "Leviticus 8:14 - Sin Offering for Priests")) to cleanse the priests from impurity and the burnt offering ([Leviticus 8:18](/leviticus/8-18 "Leviticus 8:18 - Burnt Offering for Priests")) to symbolize their complete dedication to God. The "ram of consecration" is the third and final animal sacrifice in this sequence, specifically designed to empower and equip them for their unique mediatorial role in the Tabernacle. This verse marks the penultimate step before the anointing with blood and oil, culminating the ritualistic preparation for their sacred service.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The establishment of the Aaronic priesthood was foundational for Israel's covenant relationship with God, distinguishing them from surrounding nations. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, priests often served as intermediaries between deities and people, but Israel's priesthood was uniquely ordained by Yahweh, emphasizing His holiness and the necessity of proper approach. The elaborate rituals, including the specific sacrifices and the laying on of hands, were not arbitrary but deeply symbolic, communicating profound theological truths to an agrarian society. The ceremony ensured that the priests were not self-appointed but divinely authorized, setting them apart from common life and from pagan priestly practices. This meticulous process underscored the gravity of their office and the purity required to stand before a holy God on behalf of the nation, a role vital for maintaining the covenant.
* **Key Themes:** [Leviticus 8](/leviticus/8 "Leviticus 8 - The Ordination of Aaron and His Sons"), and particularly [Leviticus 8:22](/leviticus/8-22 "Leviticus 8:22 - The Ram of Consecration"), contributes significantly to several key themes. The theme of **Divine Appointment** is paramount, as the entire ordination ritual is commanded by God, underscoring that the priesthood is not a human invention but a divinely instituted office. This leads to the theme of **Consecration and Holiness**, where Aaron and his sons are meticulously set apart from the common and made holy for sacred service, reflecting God's own perfect holiness. The "ram of consecration" is central to this process. Furthermore, the verse highlights the theme of **Mediation**, as the priests are being equipped to serve as intermediaries between God and the people, a role that demands absolute purity and divine authorization. Finally, the meticulous details of the ritual emphasize **Obedience to Divine Command**, a recurring motif throughout the Pentateuch, reinforcing the importance of adhering precisely to God's instructions for worship and service, as seen in [Exodus 40:16](/exodus/40-16 "Exodus 40:16 - Moses Does All That the Lord Commanded").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ram (Hebrew, _ʼayil'_):** From the same as אוּל; properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically a chief (politically); also a ram (from his strength); a pilaster (as a strong support); an oak or other strong tree; mighty (man), lintel, oak, post, ram, tree. In this context, the ram is chosen as a strong, suitable animal for sacrifice, embodying the strength and vitality required for such a significant offering of consecration.
* **Consecration (Hebrew, _milluʼ'_):** From מָלֵא; a fulfilling (only in plural), i.e. (literally) a setting (of gems), or (technically) consecration (also concretely, a dedicatory sacrifice); consecration, be set. This term, `millu'im`, literally means "fillings" or "installations." It refers to the "filling of the hands" ceremony, an idiom that signifies the formal investiture of authority and responsibility. The ram of consecration was the specific sacrifice that accompanied this ritual, symbolizing the priests' hands being "filled" with the authority and duties of their sacred office.
* **Laid (Hebrew, _çâmak'_):** A primitive root; to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a favorable or unfavorable sense); bear up, establish, (up-) hold, lay, lean, lie hard, put, rest self, set self, stand fast, stay (self), sustain. In the context of sacrifice, this verb signifies the act of leaning or pressing down, indicating a deep identification or transfer. Here, it conveys the priests' personal identification with the ram as an offering of dedication and their acceptance of the sacred office.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he brought the other ram,"**: This phrase indicates that this ram is distinct from the previous sacrifices in the ordination ceremony—the bull for the sin offering ([Leviticus 8:14](/leviticus/8-14 "Leviticus 8:14 - Sin Offering for Priests")) and the first ram for the burnt offering ([Leviticus 8:18](/leviticus/8-18 "Leviticus 8:18 - Burnt Offering for Priests")). The use of "other" highlights its unique purpose and position as the final animal sacrifice, specifically designated for the "filling of the hands" ritual, which officially installed the priests into their office.
* **"the ram of consecration:"**: This identifies the specific purpose of this animal. It is not for atonement of sin or general dedication, but for the act of "consecration" or "ordination" (Hebrew: `millu'im`). This ram was integral to the ritual that formally set apart Aaron and his sons for their holy duties, signifying their investiture with divine authority and the enablement for their sacred office. It was the vehicle through which their hands were "filled" with the responsibilities of the priesthood.
* **"and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram."**: This action is crucial. By placing their hands on the ram, Aaron and his sons publicly identified with the sacrifice. In this context, it was an act of personal dedication and surrender, signifying their acceptance of their divine appointment and their commitment to the sacred service. It represented their willingness to be fully set apart for God's purposes, acknowledging that their new office demanded a life wholly devoted to Him, mediated through this specific offering.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 8:22 employs several significant literary devices that underscore its theological weight. The most prominent is **Symbolism**: the "ram of consecration" is not merely an animal but a potent symbol of the priests' investiture and the divine authorization of their office. The act of "laying on of hands" is also highly symbolic, representing identification, transfer, and dedication. In this context, it powerfully conveys the priests' personal commitment and the formal transfer of their identity from ordinary men to consecrated servants of God. The **Repetition** of "ram" throughout the chapter (e.g., "ram for a burnt offering," "ram of consecration") serves to distinguish the unique purpose of each sacrifice, emphasizing the meticulous nature of the ordination ritual and the distinct theological meaning attached to each offering. Furthermore, the precise, almost formulaic language used throughout [Leviticus 8](/leviticus/8 "Leviticus 8 - The Ordination of Aaron and His Sons"), including this verse, exemplifies **Ritualistic Language**, which is characteristic of legal and cultic texts in the Old Testament. This precise phrasing ensures the faithful execution of God's commands and reinforces the solemnity and sacredness of the ordination process, leaving no room for ambiguity in the establishment of the Aaronic priesthood.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 8:22 deeply connects to the overarching biblical themes of divine appointment, consecration, and mediation. The meticulous ordination of Aaron and his sons highlights that the priesthood was not a human invention but a divine institution, emphasizing God's sovereignty in choosing and equipping those who would serve Him. This act of "filling the hands" through the ram of consecration underscores the necessity of divine empowerment for sacred service, a principle that transcends the Old Covenant. It also foreshadows the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, who consecrated Himself for His mediatorial work, not through the blood of animals but through His own perfect sacrifice. Furthermore, the identification of the priests with the ram through the laying on of hands speaks to the concept of substitution and dedication, where one's life is set apart for God's purposes, a theme that finds its ultimate expression in the New Testament concept of the "priesthood of all believers."

* [Exodus 29:1](/exodus/29-1 "Exodus 29:1 - Instructions for Priestly Ordination")
* [Hebrews 7:27](/hebrews/7-27 "Hebrews 7:27 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")
* [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - The Priesthood of All Believers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the Levitical priesthood has been fulfilled in Christ, the principles embedded in Leviticus 8:22 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. As those who have been "set apart" by God through faith in Jesus Christ, we are called to live lives of consecration, recognizing that our ability to serve God flows from His divine appointment and empowerment, not from our own strength or merit. The dedication symbolized by Aaron and his sons laying their hands on the ram challenges us to fully surrender our lives to God's purposes, acknowledging that true spiritual service requires a complete commitment. This verse reminds us that our identity as Christians is fundamentally tied to our being "in Christ," consecrated and empowered to offer spiritual sacrifices of worship, praise, and service. It calls us to live with intentionality, purity, and a deep reverence for the holy calling we have received, whether in formal ministry or in the daily rhythms of life, reflecting the holiness of the God we serve.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I recognize and affirm God's divine appointment and empowerment in my own life and service?**
* **How does the concept of "consecration" challenge me to dedicate myself more fully to God's purposes in my daily living?**
* **What "spiritual sacrifices" (e.g., praise, service, obedience) am I currently offering to God, and how can I offer them with greater intentionality and purity?**

### FAQ
**Why is this specific ram called "the other ram"?**

Answer: The phrase "the other ram" in [Leviticus 8:22](/leviticus/8-22 "Leviticus 8:22 - The Ram of Consecration") distinguishes it from the two previous animal sacrifices offered during the ordination ceremony: the bull for the sin offering ([Leviticus 8:14](/leviticus/8-14 "Leviticus 8:14 - Sin Offering for Priests")) and the first ram for the burnt offering ([Leviticus 8:18](/leviticus/8-18 "Leviticus 8:18 - Burnt Offering for Priests")). Each sacrifice had a distinct purpose in the elaborate seven-day ritual. This "other ram" was specifically designated as the "ram of consecration" or "ordination," playing a unique role in formally installing Aaron and his sons into their priestly office.

**What is the significance of "the ram of consecration" (Hebrew: _'êl hammillu'im'_)?**

Answer: The "ram of consecration" (Hebrew: `אֵיל הַמִּלֻּאִים`, _'êl hammillu'im'_) is central to the priestly ordination. The Hebrew term `millu'im` literally means "fillings" or "installations" and refers to the "filling of the hands" ceremony. This idiom (`mille' yad`) signified the formal investiture of authority and responsibility. By sacrificing this ram, the priests' hands were symbolically "filled" with the power and duties of their sacred office, empowering them to perform the rituals and sacrifices required of them. It was the climactic animal sacrifice that formally conferred their priestly authority and set them apart for their unique mediatorial role before God.

**What does the act of "Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram" signify?**

Answer: The laying on of hands in biblical contexts often signifies identification, transfer, or dedication. In [Leviticus 8:22](/leviticus/8-22 "Leviticus 8:22 - The Ram of Consecration"), as part of the consecration ceremony, it primarily represents Aaron and his sons' personal identification with the sacrifice and their complete dedication to God's service. It is an act of public acknowledgment and acceptance of their divine appointment to the priesthood. Unlike sin offerings where hands were laid to transfer sin, here it signifies their willingness to be fully set apart and their commitment to the sacred responsibilities being conferred upon them through this unique offering. It underscores their submission to God's will for their lives as mediators for Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The intricate ordination of the Levitical priesthood, culminating in the "ram of consecration" in [Leviticus 8:22](/leviticus/8-22 "Leviticus 8:22 - The Ram of Consecration"), finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Unlike Aaron and his sons, who required repeated sacrifices and an elaborate consecration ceremony due to their own sinfulness and mortality, Jesus, our great High Priest, "has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself" ([Hebrews 7:27](/hebrews/7-27 "Hebrews 7:27 - Christ, Our Perfect High Priest")). His consecration was not through the blood of animals, but through His own perfect, sinless life and His willing self-sacrifice on the cross, where He "sanctified himself" ([John 17:19](/john/17-19 "John 17:19 - Jesus Sanctifies Himself for His Disciples")) for our sake. The "filling of the hands" for the Levitical priests symbolized their enablement for service; Christ, however, was eternally "filled" with all the fullness of God ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - The Fullness of Christ")), perfectly qualified to mediate between God and humanity. His single, decisive act of offering Himself as the ultimate "ram of consecration" established a new and living way ([Hebrews 10:20](/hebrews/10-20 "Hebrews 10:20 - The New and Living Way")) for all who believe, ushering in a "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - The Priesthood of All Believers")) of believers who, consecrated by His blood, can now draw near to God with confidence ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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 29:19

And thou shalt take the other ram; and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram.

Exodus 29:31

And thou shalt take the ram of the consecration, and seethe his flesh in the holy place.

Revelation 1:5

And from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, [and] the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

Revelation 1:6

And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 5:27

That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Leviticus 7:37

This [is] the law of the burnt offering, of the meat offering, and of the sin offering, and of the trespass offering, and of the consecrations, and of the sacrifice of the peace offerings;