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Exodus 29

46 verses

TL;DR

Exodus 29 records the detailed consecration ceremony for Aaron and his sons as priests, including animal offerings, anointing, clothing, and the setting of perpetual duties, culminating in God's promise to dwell among Israel.

Summary

The chapter begins with instructions for a special sacrificial offering: a bullock and two rams, along with unleavened bread and cakes, to prepare Aaron and his sons for priesthood. Aaron and his sons are washed, clothed in specific garments—coat, ephod, breastplate, girdle, mitre, crown—and anointed with oil. They lay hands on the bullock, then on each ram, receiving their blood in various parts of the altar and on their own ears, hands, and feet. The ritual includes burning the rams' fat and parts on the altar, making a heave offering, and preserving portions of the sacrifice for the priests to consume as a holy meal, while the rest is burned. The priestly garments and rituals are to be observed for seven days, establishing a perpetual statute for Israel's priesthood. Daily offerings of bulls for sin and continual burnt offerings of lambs are prescribed, and the altar itself is consecrated. The chapter concludes with God's declaration that He will dwell among the Israelites in the tabernacle, sanctifying them and the place of worship.

Outline
  1. Preparation and offering of sacrificial animals and bread for consecration.
  2. Anointing, clothing, and purification rites for Aaron and his sons, establishing perpetual priestly duties.
  3. Daily and continual offerings for the altar and the tabernacle, concluding with God’s promise of divine presence.
Themes
Sanctification of priesthood and holy objectsAtonement and continual worshipGod’s covenant presence among His people
Keywords
consecrationanointingsin offeringburnt offeringheave offeringsanctifypriesthoodtabernaclealtarcovenant
People
AaronAaron's sons
Places
Tabernacle of the congregationAltarThe camp
Things
Young bullockRams without blemishUnleavened bread, cakes, wafersAnointing oilCoat, robe of ephod, breastplate, girdle, mitre, crownHorns of the altarFat, caul, kidneysHeave offeringHoly garments
Key Verses
  • Exodus 29:5: Describes the specific priestly garments that establish the identity and function of Aaron and his sons.
  • Exodus 29:7: Introduces the anointing ritual, a pivotal moment of consecration.
  • Exodus 29:45-46: Concludes with God's promise to dwell among Israel, underscoring the covenantal significance of the rites.
Questions
  • What is the significance of the specific garments worn by Aaron and his sons?
  • How does the anointing oil function symbolically in the consecration process?
  • Why does the chapter include both a sin offering and a burnt offering, and what do these types of offerings represent?
  • In what ways does the repeated mention of God’s presence at the tabernacle shape Israel’s understanding of worship?
  • What might the prohibition against strangers eating the consecrated bread reveal about holiness in ancient Israel?
Sentiment

positive
The chapter conveys reverence and assurance through the detailed rites and God’s promise of dwelling among Israel.