Leviticus 9:22

THE BENEDICTION, AND THE CONSUMING FIRE FROM JEHOVAH, Leviticus 9:22-24.

22. Aaron lifted up his hand “Hands,” (R.V.) The custom of raising aloft the hands in prayer is found among most nations who pretend to any kind of worship. Virgil gives frequent instances among the Trojans and Greeks. Chrysostom explains it as an oblation to God of the instruments of our necessities. From its almost universal prevalence we would rather understand it as an instinctive propriety of prayer, and especially of blessing, pointing out the object of supplication and the recipients of the divine favours.

And blessed them The form of the threefold priestly benediction is recorded in Numbers 6:23-27. Some writers discover in it intimations of the trinity of persons in the unity of the Divine Substance.

It was a special prerogative of the priests to bless in the name of Jehovah. See Deuteronomy 21:5. There has not been much of this thus far. We have been face to face with law and discipline. Now Aaron blesses Israel, and stern Moses joins him. Feeling begins to enter into the ministry of law.

Came down from offering The standing place of the priest while ministering at the altar is spoken of as above the level of the court of the tabernacle. To reach this standing there must have been an inclined plane, since steps were forbidden, (Exodus 20:26,) as a safeguard against an indecorous exposure of the priest’s person.