Leviticus 8:30

And Moses took of the anointing oil, and of the blood which [was] upon the altar, and sprinkled [it] upon Aaron, [and] upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon his sons' garments with him; and sanctified Aaron, [and] his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him.

And Moses {H4872} took {H3947} of the anointing {H4888} oil {H8081}, and of the blood {H1818} which was upon the altar {H4196}, and sprinkled {H5137} it upon Aaron {H175}, and upon his garments {H899}, and upon his sons {H1121}, and upon his sons {H1121}' garments {H899} with him; and sanctified {H6942} Aaron {H175}, and his garments {H899}, and his sons {H1121}, and his sons {H1121}' garments {H899} with him.

Moshe took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood which was on the altar and sprinkled it on Aharon and his clothing, and on his sons with him and their clothing, and consecrated Aharon and his clothing together with his sons and their clothing.

Next, Moses took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood that was on the altar and sprinkled them on Aaron and his garments, and on his sons and their garments. So he consecrated Aaron and his garments, as well as Aaron’s sons and their garments.

And Moses took of the anointing oil, and of the blood which was upon the altar, and sprinkled it upon Aaron, upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon his sons’ garments with him, and sanctified Aaron, his garments, and his sons, and his sons’ garments with him.

Commentary

Commentary on Leviticus 8:30 (KJV)

Leviticus 8:30 describes a pivotal moment in the consecration ceremony of Aaron and his sons as priests, a detailed ritual commanded by God through Moses. This verse marks the culmination of their purification and dedication, setting them apart for sacred service in the Tabernacle.

Context

This verse is part of a larger narrative (Leviticus 8) detailing the ordination of the Aaronic priesthood. Following their washing, robing in priestly garments, and the anointing of Aaron with oil, specific sacrifices were offered: a sin offering, a burnt offering, and the ram of consecration. The blood mentioned in this verse comes from the ram of consecration, signifying a covenant of peace and dedication. Moses, acting as God's appointed mediator, performs these precise actions as instructed by the Lord, ensuring the priests are truly set apart for their holy duties. This elaborate ceremony underscores the immense importance and sanctity of the priestly office in ancient Israel.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Appointment and Consecration: The entire process, culminating in this sprinkling, emphasizes that the priesthood was not a self-appointed role but a divine calling and a thorough dedication to God's service. The act of "sanctifying" (Hebrew: qadash, meaning to set apart or make holy) signifies their transition from ordinary men to sacred servants.
  • Symbolism of Blood and Oil:
    • Blood: The blood from the altar symbolizes atonement, purification, and the life given for reconciliation. Its application cleanses and dedicates the priests, making them acceptable to God. This foreshadows the ultimate cleansing through the blood of Christ, which cleanses from all sin.
    • Anointing Oil: The holy anointing oil represents the Holy Spirit, divine empowerment, and the setting apart for God's purposes. Just as the oil prepared them for service, the Holy Spirit equips believers today. Exodus 30:25 describes the special composition of this oil.
  • Holiness Required for Service: The meticulous ritual, involving both purification (blood) and empowerment (oil), illustrates God's demand for holiness in those who draw near to Him in service. This principle extends to all believers, who are called to live consecrated lives.

Practical Application

While the Aaronic priesthood has been fulfilled in Christ, the principles of Leviticus 8:30 hold profound spiritual significance for believers today. As a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), followers of Christ are called to a life of consecration:

  • We are cleansed and made holy through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. Just as the blood purified Aaron and his sons, Christ's sacrifice purifies us and enables us to approach God.
  • We are anointed by the Holy Spirit, empowering us for service and enabling us to live lives pleasing to God. The Spirit sets us apart and equips us to fulfill our spiritual duties.
  • Our entire being—our person and our "garments" (representing our actions and conduct)—should be dedicated to God. This means living a life set apart for His glory, reflecting His holiness in all we do.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that true service to God begins with divine cleansing and empowerment, leading to a life of intentional holiness.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 30:30

    And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that [they] may minister unto me in the priest's office.

  • Numbers 3:3

    These [are] the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests which were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest's office.

  • Exodus 29:21

    And thou shalt take of the blood that [is] upon the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle [it] upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be hallowed, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him.

  • Leviticus 10:3

    ¶ Then Moses said unto Aaron, This [is it] that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.

  • Hebrews 2:11

    For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified [are] all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

  • Isaiah 61:3

    To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

  • 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.
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