Exodus 29:32

And Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram, and the bread that [is] in the basket, [by] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

And Aaron {H175} and his sons {H1121} shall eat {H398} the flesh {H1320} of the ram {H352}, and the bread {H3899} that is in the basket {H5536}, by the door {H6607} of the tabernacle {H168} of the congregation {H4150}.

Aharon and his sons will eat the ram's meat and the bread in the basket at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

At the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, Aaron and his sons are to eat the meat of the ram and the bread that is in the basket.

And Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram, and the bread that is in the basket, at the door of the tent of meeting.

Commentary

Exodus 29:32 describes a crucial part of the ordination ceremony for Aaron and his sons as priests in ancient Israel. Following the offering of the ram of consecration, a significant portion of the sacrifice was to be eaten by the newly consecrated priests. This act was not merely sustenance but a profound ritual of participation and fellowship with God.

Context

This verse is found within Exodus chapter 29, which details the elaborate seven-day process for consecrating Aaron and his sons for their priestly service. The chapter outlines specific sacrifices, anointings, and rituals designed to set them apart as holy to the Lord. The eating of the sacrificial meal, particularly the flesh of the ram of consecration and the unleavened bread from the basket, was the final stage of this daily ritual, signifying their full acceptance and participation in the covenant duties.

Key Themes

  • Consecration and Ordination: The act of eating the sacred offerings was an integral part of the priestly ordination, symbolizing their initiation into sacred service and their right to partake of holy things.
  • Communion and Fellowship: Sharing in the sacrificial meal represented a deep communion with God. In the Old Testament, eating a meal together often signified covenant relationship and fellowship. For the priests, it affirmed their unique relationship with the divine.
  • Divine Provision: God ordained that a portion of the offerings would provide sustenance for His servants. This highlights God's faithfulness in providing for those who serve Him, a theme echoed throughout Scripture (e_g_, Numbers 18:8-14).
  • Holiness and Purity: The meal was eaten "by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation," a sacred space that marked the boundary between the holy and the common. This location emphasized the holiness of the act and the consecrated status of the priests.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "tabernacle of the congregation" (KJV) translates the Hebrew 'ohel mo'ed (ืึนื”ึถืœ ืžื•ึนืขึตื“), which literally means "tent of meeting" or "tent of appointment." This emphasizes that the Tabernacle was the designated place where God would meet with His people and where His presence dwelled. Eating the sacred meal at the "door" of this tent underscored the priests' unique access and role as mediators between God and the Israelites.

Related Scriptures

The instructions for eating specific portions of sacrifices are frequently found in the Pentateuch, especially in Leviticus. For instance, Leviticus 10:12-13 gives further directives to Aaron and his sons about eating the meat of the sin offering and the wave breast and heave shoulder of the peace offerings. The concept of a priestly meal foreshadows the ultimate communion found in the New Covenant through partaking of Christ, our true sacrifice. The imagery of Christ as our High Priest, who offered Himself once for all, is profoundly explored in the book of Hebrews, fulfilling the types and shadows of the Old Testament priesthood.

Practical Application

While we no longer have a Levitical priesthood offering animal sacrifices, the principles behind Exodus 29:32 remain relevant. It reminds us of:

  1. The Sacredness of Service: Those called to serve God should do so with reverence and purity, understanding the gravity of their role.
  2. God's Provision for His Servants: Just as God provided for Aaron and his sons, He promises to sustain those who faithfully serve Him in various capacities today.
  3. The Importance of Fellowship: The communal meal points to the significance of communion in worship, particularly for believers who partake in the Lord's Supper, a memorial of Christ's sacrifice and a symbol of our fellowship with Him and with one another.
  4. Christ as Our Fulfillment: Jesus Christ is our perfect High Priest and the ultimate sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10). Through Him, all believers are now part of a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), called to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and good works.
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Cross-References

  • Matthew 12:4 (4 votes)

    How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?

  • Exodus 29:2 (2 votes)

    And unleavened bread, and cakes unleavened tempered with oil, and wafers unleavened anointed with oil: [of] wheaten flour shalt thou make them.

  • Exodus 29:3 (2 votes)

    And thou shalt put them into one basket, and bring them in the basket, with the bullock and the two rams.

  • Exodus 29:23 (2 votes)

    And one loaf of bread, and one cake of oiled bread, and one wafer out of the basket of the unleavened bread that [is] before the LORD:

  • Exodus 24:9 (2 votes)

    ยถ Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel:

  • Exodus 24:11 (2 votes)

    And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.

  • Leviticus 10:12 (2 votes)

    ยถ And Moses spake unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons that were left, Take the meat offering that remaineth of the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and eat it without leaven beside the altar: for it [is] most holy: