Leviticus 8:22-29 - Exposition

The ram offered as a peace offering is called the ram of consecration , or literally, of filling, because one of the means by which the consecration was effected and exhibited was the filling the hands of those presented for consecration with the portion of the sacrifice destined for the altar, which they waved for a wave offering before the Lord , previous to its consumption by the fire. This portion consisted of the internal fat and tail, which was usually burnt ( Leviticus 7:31 ), and the heave offering of the right shoulder , or hind leg, which generally went to the officiating priest ( Leviticus 7:32 ), and one of each of the unleavened cakes. After this special ceremony of waving, peculiar to the rite of consecration, the usual wave offering (the breast) was waved by Moses and consumed by himself. Ordinarily it was for the priests in general ( Leviticus 7:31 ). The blood was poured on the side of the altar, as was done in all peace offerings, but in addition, on the present occasion, it was put upon the tip of the right ear , and upon the thumb of the right hand , and upon the great toe of the right foot of the priests who were being consecrated, symbolizing that their senses and active powers were being devoted to God's service. The same ceremony is to be used in the restoration of the leper (see Leviticus 14:14 ).