THE FORM OF CONSECRATION FOR THE PRIESTS.

(1) This is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them.—The consecration of the priests had been commanded in the preceding chapter (Exodus 28:41). The method of it is now laid down. It consists of five things :—(1) Ablution (Exodus 29:4); (2) Investiture (Exodus 29:5-9); (3) Chrism, or anointing (Exodus 29:7); (4) Sacrifice (Exodus 29:10-23); and (5) Filling the hand (Exodus 29:24). All of these were symbolical acts, typical of things spiritual—ablution, of the putting away of impurity; investiture, of being clothed with holiness; unction, of the giving of Divine grace, &c.; the entire consecration forming an acted parable, very suggestive and full of instruction to such as understood its meaning.

Take one young bullock.—The first thing to be done was to prepare the victims which would be needed, and to have them ready against the time when they would be required for sacrifice.

Without blemish.—Heb., perfect (See Note 1 on Exodus 12:5.)

The consecration of the priests. See the notes to Leviticus 8-9.

Ex 29:1-35. Consecrating the Priests and the Altar.

1. hallow them, to minister unto me in the priest's office—The act of inaugurating the priests was accompanied by ceremonial solemnities well calculated not only to lead the people to entertain exalted views of the office, but to impress those functionaries themselves with a profound sense of its magnitude and importance. In short, they were taught to know that the service was for them as well as for the people; and every time they engaged in a new performance of their duties, they were reminded of their personal interest in the worship, by being obliged to offer for themselves, before they were qualified to offer as the representatives of the people.

this is the thing that thou shalt do—Steps are taken at the beginning of a society, which would not be repeated when the social machine was in full motion; and Moses, at the opening of the tabernacle, was employed to discharge functions which in later periods would have been regarded as sacrilege and punished with instant death. But he acted under the special directions of God.The manner of consecrating priests, Exodus 29:1-3. Of consecrating Aaron and his sons, Exodus 29:4-7. The priests’ vesture, Exodus 29:8,9. How the bullock of the sin-offering was to be offered, Exodus 29:10-14. One ram for a burnt-offering, and the manner of offering, Exodus 29:15-18. A ram for hallowing the priests, Exodus 29:19-31. Aaron and his sons eat of the ram wherewith they where consecrated, Exodus 29:32,33. The altar sanctified for seven days, Exodus 29:36,37. Two lambs offered daily, Exodus 29:38. The time, Exodus 29:39. The manner of offering, Exodus 29:40-43. God’s promise to hallow the tabernacle, Aaron, and his sons, Exodus 29:44, and to dwell with them, Exodus 29:45,46.

No text from Poole on this verse. Exodus 12:5 Malachi 1:13,14

to minister unto me in the priest's office; for which the Lord had appointed them, to which he had chose, called, and separated them:

take one young bullock, and two rams without blemish; a young bullock was an heifer of three years old, according to Kimchi (t), and such an one was used in sacrifice in former times, see Genesis 15:9 though Maimonides (u) says it was one of two years, and so Abendana (w), whose words are,"a bullock is a son of two years, and a ram is after he has entered into the second year thirty one days;''and so Ben Gersom; the bullock was an emblem of the strength, laboriousness, and patience of Christ, and both of them being without blemish, were typical of his purity and perfection in his nature and life, and especially in his sacrifice.

(t) Comment. in Psal. lxix. 32. (u) Hilchot Zebachim, c. 1. sect. 14. (w) Not. in Miclol Yophi in loc.