Take thee a young calf, etc. - As these sacrifices were for Aaron himself, they are furnished by himself and not by the people, for they were designed to make atonement for his own sin. See Leviticus 4:3 . And this is supposed by the Jews to have been intended to make an atonement for his sin in the matter of the golden calf. This is very probable, as no formal atonement for that transgression had yet been made. read more
Take ye a kid - In Leviticus 4:14 ; a young bullock is commanded to be offered for the sin of the people; but here the offering is a kid, which was the sacrifice appointed for the sin of the ruler, Leviticus 4:22 , Leviticus 4:23 , and hence some think that the reading of the Samaritan and the Septuagint is to be preferred. Speak unto the Elders of Israel, these being the only princes or rulers of Israel at that time; and for them it is possible this sacrifice was designed. It is... read more
And the glory of the Lord shall appear - God shall give the most sensible signs of his presence among you; this he did in general by the cloud on the tabernacle, but in this case the particular proof was the fire that came out from before the Lord, and consumed the burnt-offering; see Leviticus 9:23 , Leviticus 9:24 . read more
Make an atonement for thyself - This showed the imperfection of the Levitical law; the high priest was obliged to make an expiation for his own sins before he could make one for the sins of the people. See the use made of this by the apostle, Hebrews 5:3 ; Hebrews 7:27 ; Hebrews 9:7 . read more
And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them - On lifting up the hands in prayer, see Exodus 9:29 . The form of the blessing we have in Numbers 6:23 , etc.: "The Lord bless thee and keep thee! The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee! The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace!" See the notes on these passages Exodus 9:29 ; (note), and Numbers 6:23 ; (note). And came down from offering of the sin-offering, etc. - A... read more
Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle - It is supposed that Moses accompanied Aaron into the tabernacle to show him how to offer the incense, prepare the lamps and the perfume, adjust the shew-bread, etc., etc. And the glory of the Lord appeared - To show that every thing was done according to the Divine mind, The glory of Jehovah appears unto all the people; A fire came out from before the Lord, and consumed the burnt-offering. This was the proof which God gave upon extraordinary... read more
When all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces - The miracle was done in such a way as gave the fullest conviction to the people of its reality. They exulted in the thought that the God of almighty power and energy had taken up his abode among them. They prostrated themselves in his presence, thereby intimating the deep sense they had of His goodness, of their unworthiness, and of the obligation they were under to live in subjection to his authority, and obedience to... read more
Verse 1 1.And it came to pass on the eighth day We have here related how Aaron and his sons, after the time of their consecration was fulfilled, began to execute their office. It was necessary that He should be his brother’s disciple, in order to follow the pattern laid down by God. And we must bear in mind that Moses, who was not appointed priest by a solemn rite, sanctified the others, in order that the authority and the efficacy of the outward sign should rest in God alone. This, therefore,... read more
Verse 6 6.And Moses said, This is the thing which the Lord commanded He seems, indeed, to address himself to the whole people, to whom also the promise belonged; but in the word “do ye,” (413) He specially speaks to the sons of Aaron; and he promises what, at the end of the chapter, he will state to have been fulfilled, that the glory of God should be manifested in approbation of the priesthood, in order that they may set about their duties more cheerfully. For this was no common aid to their... read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 9:1
On the eighth day - This was the first day after their consecration, before which they were deemed unfit to minister in holy things, being considered as in a state of imperfection. "All creatures," says Ainsworth, "for the most part were in their uncleanness and imperfection seven days, and perfected on the eighth; as children by circumcision, Leviticus 12:2 , Leviticus 12:3 ; young beasts for sacrifice, Leviticus 22:27 ; persons that were unclean by leprosies, issues, and the like, ... read more