Leviticus 8:1-12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Leviticus 8:1-13

God had given Moses orders to consecrate Aaron and his sons to the priests? office, when he was with him the first time upon mount Sinai, Exod. 28:1-29:46; where we have also the particular instructions he had how to do it. Now here we have, I. The orders repeated. What was there commanded to be done is here commanded to be done now, Lev. 8:2, 3. The tabernacle was newly set up, which, without the priests, would be as a candlestick without a candle; the law concerning sacrifices was newly... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 8:1

And the Lord spake unto Moses ,.... The following section or paragraph, relating to the consecration of Aaron and his sons, was delivered, according to Jarchi, seven days before the setting up of the tabernacle; but to me it seems to have been delivered after the setting it up, since it was out of the tabernacle that the Lord said all those things recorded in the preceding chapters; and after he had given out the laws concerning sacrifices, then he renewed the order for the consecration of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 8:2

Take Aaron, and his sons with him ,.... That is, order them to come, or send a message to them, that they appear at such a time at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, where the ceremony of consecration was to be performed, and was performed, Leviticus 8:3 which is observed and recorded by Moses, to show that he had a divine warrant for what he did, and that it was not from favour and affection to his brother, and because of the relation he and his family stood in to him, that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 8:3

And gather thou all the congregation together ,.... That is, the heads of the tribes and the elders of the people, as Aben Ezra interprets it; for the whole body of the people, and every individual of them, could not be got together: unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation ; taking this for the whole court itself, as it sometimes is; though no doubt on this occasion as great a number was convened as well could be admitted into the court, or about it, to be spectators and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 8:4

And Moses did as the Lord commanded him ,.... He convened Aaron and his sons, and the heads of the people, at the door of the tabernacle, and came himself, and brought with him the garments, the oil, and sacrifices, even everything necessary for the consecration: and the assembly was gathered together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation ; and this was, according to the Targum of Jonathan, on the twenty third day of the month Adar or February; but it rather seems to be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 8:5

And Moses said unto the congregation ,.... Having convened them, he opened to them the reason of their being called together, which was not done of himself, but by divine direction: this is the thing which the Lord commanded to be done ; namely, what follows, concerning the consecration of Aaron and his sons to be priests, and the investiture of them with that office, attended with various rites and ceremonies to be performed, of which they were to be witnesses. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 8:6

And Moses brought Aaron and his sons ,.... To the laver which was in the court of the tabernacle and washed them with water ; to show that they should be clean that bear the vessels of the Lord, and offer the sacrifices of the people; all that are in public office in the house of God ought to have both clean hands and a pure heart, to hold the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience, and to be of a pure and holy conversation; and indeed all that are made kings and priests to God, as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 8:7

And he put upon him the coat ,.... The embroidered coat of fine linen, which was next to his flesh; Exodus 28:39 and all the garments were put on just in the order they are here declared; no mention is made indeed of the linen breeches, since it is highly probable these were put on by Aaron himself in some apartment in the tabernacle, or before came thither; it not being so decent to put on, or have these put on, in the sight of the whole congregation: and girded him with the girdle ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 8:8

And he put the breastplate upon him ,.... Which was made of the same materials with the ephod, and was put upon it, and fastened to it: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and Thummim : that is, Moses did it, as all the rest; for there is no reason to be given why this should be appropriated to God as a divine work, distinct from the rest; and these seem to be the twelve precious stones set in the breastplate, whose names are given, Exodus 27:17 and if they are not intended, no... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 8:9

And he put the mitre upon his head ,.... Which was made of fine linen, and was a wrap of that of a considerable length about his head, Exodus 28:39 . also upon the mitre, even upon his forefront, did he put the golden plate ; which was put upon the forehead of the high priest, reaching from ear to ear, and was fastened to the mitre with a blue lace, and had on it this inscription, "holiness to the Lord": Exodus 28:36 and is here therefore called the holy crown : denoting both... read more

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