Tabernacle Consecration

Overview

• Testament: Old
• Book: Leviticus
• Chapters: 8–9
• Summary: Aaron and his sons are consecrated as priests, the first sacrifices are offered, and divine fire consumes the offerings.

Details

On the first day of the first month of the second year after the exodus, Moses carried out the seven-day consecration of Aaron and his sons (Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar). Moses washed them, clothed them in priestly garments, offered a sin offering (bull), a burnt offering (two rams — one for consecration, one burnt outside), and an ordaining offering. He put consecrated oil and blood on Aaron and his garments seven times. On the eighth day, Aaron offered all five types of sacrifices on behalf of himself and the people. Fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and fat on the altar, and the people saw it and shouted, and fell on their faces (Leviticus 9:23–24).

Key People Involved

• Moses — Performed the consecration ceremony
• Aaron — Consecrated as first high priest
• Nadab — Consecrated as priest
• Abihu — Consecrated as priest
• Eleazar — Consecrated as priest
• Ithamar — Consecrated as priest

Key Places

• Tabernacle — Location of the consecration
• Camp of Israel — Where the people gathered

Important Verses

• Leviticus 9:23–24 — “And there appeared a fire before the children of Israel… and when the people saw it, they shouted, and fell on their faces.”

Cross-References

• Related events: Tabernacle Constructed
• Foreshadowed in: Exodus 28–29 (instructions for priestly garments and consecration)
• Fulfilled in: Hebrews 7–10 (Christ as our high priest)

Notes

This event marks the beginning of organized worship in Israel. The divine fire accepting the offerings confirmed God’s approval of the priesthood and sacrificial system.