Priesthood Ordination
Overview
- Testament: Old
- Book: Leviticus
- Chapters: Leviticus 8–9
- Summary: Moses consecrated Aaron and his sons as priests over seven days, completing everything God had commanded regarding the Tabernacle’s worship personnel.
Details
Leviticus 8-9 narrates the ordination ceremony that had been prescribed in Exodus 29. Moses gathered the entire congregation at the Tabernacle entrance and consecrated Aaron and his sons over seven days — no priest could begin ministry without completing the full ordination period.
The ceremony included washing with water, dressing Aaron in the priestly garments (tunic, sash, robe, ephod, breastplate, turban), anointing the Tabernacle and all its furnishings with oil, then anointing Aaron. Three sacrifices followed: a sin offering, a burnt offering, and the unique “ram of ordination” (a peace offering with additional rites — blood applied to the right ear, right thumb, and right big toe of Aaron and his sons, signifying consecrated hearing, action, and walk).
On the eighth day, Aaron and his sons began their public ministry. Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them, then entered the Tent of Meeting with Moses; when they came out, the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people, and fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering on the altar. The people shouted and fell on their faces.
Key People Involved
- Moses — Performed the ordination ceremony
- Aaron — Consecrated as high priest
- Aaron’s sons — Consecrated as priests
Key Places
- Tabernacle — Site of the ordination
Important Verses
“And Moses did as the LORD commanded him; and the congregation was assembled unto the door of the tabernacle of congregation.” — Leviticus 8:4
Cross-References
- Death of Nadab and Abihu — Immediately follows in Leviticus 10
- Related books: Leviticus, Exodus 29, Hebrews 5-7 (Christ as the final high priest)
Notes
- The ordination pattern (eight days, blood on ear/thumb/toe, fire from heaven) is the most elaborate ceremony in the Pentateuch outside of the Tabernacle construction itself.
- Hebrews 5-7 contrasts Aaron’s ordained priesthood with Christ’s Melchizedekian priesthood — eternal, without succession, and needing no further ordination.