Chapter 8

Consecration of Aaron and his sons. 

2022 - This is the actual consecration, carried out with all the congregation present.  This is not the instructions, but the event.

As we had the instructions for the tabernacle given, and then a recounting of the actual building, we had the sacrifices all described, and then instructions for the priests in conducting the sacrifices, now, since we have been told how Aaron and his sons are to be consecrated, their actual consecration is described.  This verse:

5 And Moses said to the congregation, "This is the thing that the LORD has commanded to be done." 6 And Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them with water. [Lev 8:5-6 ESV]

Here is possibly the type of baptism in the OT.  Before they could don the sacred garments and begin their service as priests, the first thing that was done was washing with water.  On this second reading, it is noteworthy that they did not wash themselves.  Another washed them.

A bull was sacrificed as a sin offering, part of it being burned outside the camp.  Then there were two rams, one as a burnt offering, which was entirely burned, and then an ordination offering, with bread and wafers.  Only parts of this last were actually burned, then Aaron and his sons boiled the rest of the meat and ate it at the door of the tent of meeting.  They were to remain inside the tent for seven days, as this is how long it would take to ordain and consecrate them.

2024 - Again in vs 17 we see that the hide from the sin offering was not burned, but was taken outside the camp and burned there.  The sin offering came first, a bull.  Then a ram for the burnt offering.  In vs. 22, the second ram is called the ram of consecration.  This was I think a unique offering, not part of the usual daily ritual.  This is the one who's blood is put on earlobes, thumbs and great toes.