Then he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him, to consecrate him.
Parallel translations
- WEB He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.
- KJV And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron’s head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.
- BSB He also poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him.
- NKJV And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him, to consecrate him.
- NLT Then he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head, anointing him and making him holy for his work.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Moses pours anointing oil on Aaron's head to consecrate him as high priest. Aaron is personally set apart by anointing.
Overview
The abundant oil poured on Aaron marked his full consecration to the high priestly office (cf. Psalm 133:2). This anointing distinguished him for sacred service before God. It foreshadows Jesus the Messiah, the Anointed One, anointed without measure by the Spirit for His saving and priestly work.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Exod 30:30You shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and sanctify them, that they may minister to me in the priest’s office.
- Ps 133:2It is like the precious oil on the head, that ran down on the beard, even Aaron’s beard; that came down on the edge of his robes;
- Exod 29:7Then you shall take the anointing oil, and pour it on his head, and anoint him.
- Lev 21:10–12“‘He who is the high priest among his brothers, upon whose head the anointing oil is poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not let the hair of his head hang loose, or tear his clothes.
- Exod 28:41You shall put them on Aaron your brother, and on his sons with him, and shall anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister to me in the priest’s office.
- Lev 4:3if the anointed priest sins so as to bring guilt on the people, then let him offer for his sin, which he has sinned, a young bull without defect to Yahweh for a sin offering.
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Christ at the center
Every sacrifice, every priest, and every day of atonement points beyond itself to the one perfect offering and the great High Priest who, by his own blood, makes the unclean holy once for all.
How Leviticus 8:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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