Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Leviticus » Chapter 9

Leviticus 9:1-24 King James Version (KJV)

1 And it came to pass on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel;

2 And he said unto Aaron, Take thee a young calf for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without blemish, and offer them before the LORD.

3 And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying, Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt offering;

4 Also a bullock and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before the LORD; and a meat offering mingled with oil: for to day the LORD will appear unto you.

5 And they brought that which Moses commanded before the tabernacle of the congregation: and all the congregation drew near and stood before the LORD.

6 And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commanded that ye should do: and the glory of the LORD shall appear unto you.

7 And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the LORD commanded.

8 Aaron therefore went unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself.

9 And the sons of Aaron brought the blood unto him: and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the bottom of the altar:

10 But the fat, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver of the sin offering, he burnt upon the altar; as the LORD commanded Moses.

11 And the flesh and the hide he burnt with fire without the camp.

12 And he slew the burnt offering; and Aaron's sons presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled round about upon the altar.

13 And they presented the burnt offering unto him, with the pieces thereof, and the head: and he burnt them upon the altar.

14 And he did wash the inwards and the legs, and burnt them upon the burnt offering on the altar.

15 And he brought the people's offering, and took the goat, which was the sin offering for the people, and slew it, and offered it for sin, as the first.

16 And he brought the burnt offering, and offered it according to the manner.

17 And he brought the meat offering, and took an handful thereof, and burnt it upon the altar, beside the burnt sacrifice of the morning.

18 He slew also the bullock and the ram for a sacrifice of peace offerings, which was for the people: and Aaron's sons presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled upon the altar round about,

19 And the fat of the bullock and of the ram, the rump, and that which covereth the inwards, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver:

20 And they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burnt the fat upon the altar:

21 And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron waved for a wave offering before the LORD; as Moses commanded.

22 And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings.

23 And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people.

24 And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

Leviticus 9:1-24 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 And it came to pass on the eighth H8066 day, H3117 that Moses H4872 called H7121 Aaron H175 and his sons, H1121 and the elders H2205 of Israel; H3478

2 And he said H559 unto Aaron, H175 Take H3947 thee a young H1241 H1121 calf H5695 for a sin offering, H2403 and a ram H352 for a burnt offering, H5930 without blemish, H8549 and offer H7126 them before H6440 the LORD. H3068

3 And unto the children H1121 of Israel H3478 thou shalt speak, H1696 saying, H559 Take H3947 ye a kid H8163 of the goats H5795 for a sin offering; H2403 and a calf H5695 and a lamb, H3532 both of the first H1121 year, H8141 without blemish, H8549 for a burnt offering; H5930

4 Also a bullock H7794 and a ram H352 for peace offerings, H8002 to sacrifice H2076 before H6440 the LORD; H3068 and a meat offering H4503 mingled H1101 with oil: H8081 for to day H3117 the LORD H3068 will appear H7200 unto you.

5 And they brought H3947 that which Moses H4872 commanded H6680 before H6440 the tabernacle H168 of the congregation: H4150 and all the congregation H5712 drew near H7126 and stood H5975 before H6440 the LORD. H3068

6 And Moses H4872 said, H559 This is the thing H1697 which the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 that ye should do: H6213 and the glory H3519 of the LORD H3068 shall appear H7200 unto you.

7 And Moses H4872 said H559 unto Aaron, H175 Go H7126 unto the altar, H4196 and offer H6213 thy sin offering, H2403 and thy burnt offering, H5930 and make an atonement H3722 for thyself, and for the people: H5971 and offer H6213 the offering H7133 of the people, H5971 and make an atonement H3722 for them; as the LORD H3068 commanded. H6680

8 Aaron H175 therefore went H7126 unto the altar, H4196 and slew H7819 the calf H5695 of the sin offering, H2403 which was for himself.

9 And the sons H1121 of Aaron H175 brought H7126 the blood H1818 unto him: and he dipped H2881 his finger H676 in the blood, H1818 and put H5414 it upon the horns H7161 of the altar, H4196 and poured H3332 out the blood H1818 at the bottom H3247 of the altar: H4196

10 But the fat, H2459 and the kidneys, H3629 and the caul H3508 above H4480 the liver H3516 of the sin offering, H2403 he burnt H6999 upon the altar; H4196 as the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 Moses. H4872

11 And the flesh H1320 and the hide H5785 he burnt H8313 with fire H784 without H2351 the camp. H4264

12 And he slew H7819 the burnt offering; H5930 and Aaron's H175 sons H1121 presented H4672 unto him the blood, H1818 which he sprinkled H2236 round about H5439 upon the altar. H4196

13 And they presented H4672 the burnt offering H5930 unto him, with the pieces H5409 thereof, and the head: H7218 and he burnt H6999 them upon the altar. H4196

14 And he did wash H7364 the inwards H7130 and the legs, H3767 and burnt H6999 them upon the burnt offering H5930 on the altar. H4196

15 And he brought H7126 the people's H5971 offering, H7133 and took H3947 the goat, H8163 which was the sin offering H2403 for the people, H5971 and slew H7819 it, and offered it for sin, H2398 as the first. H7223

16 And he brought H7126 the burnt offering, H5930 and offered H6213 it according to the manner. H4941

17 And he brought H7126 the meat offering, H4503 and took H4390 an handful H3709 thereof, and burnt H6999 it upon the altar, H4196 beside H905 the burnt sacrifice H5930 of the morning. H1242

18 He slew H7819 also the bullock H7794 and the ram H352 for a sacrifice H2077 of peace offerings, H8002 which was for the people: H5971 and Aaron's H175 sons H1121 presented H4672 unto him the blood, H1818 which he sprinkled H2236 upon the altar H4196 round about, H5439

19 And the fat H2459 of the bullock H7794 and of the ram, H352 the rump, H451 and that which covereth H4374 the inwards, and the kidneys, H3629 and the caul H3508 above the liver: H3516

20 And they put H7760 the fat H2459 upon the breasts, H2373 and he burnt H6999 the fat H2459 upon the altar: H4196

21 And the breasts H2373 and the right H3225 shoulder H7785 Aaron H175 waved H5130 for a wave offering H8573 before H6440 the LORD; H3068 as Moses H4872 commanded. H6680

22 And Aaron H175 lifted up H5375 his hand H3027 toward the people, H5971 and blessed H1288 them, and came down H3381 from offering H6213 of the sin offering, H2403 and the burnt offering, H5930 and peace offerings. H8002

23 And Moses H4872 and Aaron H175 went H935 into the tabernacle H168 of the congregation, H4150 and came out, H3318 and blessed H1288 the people: H5971 and the glory H3519 of the LORD H3068 appeared H7200 unto all the people. H5971

24 And there came H3318 a fire H784 out from before H6440 the LORD, H3068 and consumed H398 upon the altar H4196 the burnt offering H5930 and the fat: H2459 which when all the people H5971 saw, H7200 they shouted, H7442 and fell H5307 on their faces. H6440

Leviticus 9:1-24 American Standard (ASV)

1 And it came to pass on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel;

2 and he said unto Aaron, Take thee a calf of the herd for a sin-offering, and a ram for a burnt-offering, without blemish, and offer them before Jehovah.

3 And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying, Take ye a he-goat for a sin-offering; and a calf and a lamb, both a year old, without blemish, for a burnt-offering;

4 and an ox and a ram for peace-offerings, to sacrifice before Jehovah; and a meal-offering mingled with oil: for to-day Jehovah appeareth unto you.

5 And they brought that which Moses commanded before the tent of meeting: and all the congregation drew near and stood before Jehovah.

6 And Moses said, This is the thing which Jehovah commanded that ye should do: and the glory of Jehovah shall appear unto you.

7 And Moses said unto Aaron, Draw near unto the altar, and offer thy sin-offering, and thy burnt-offering, and make atonement for thyself, and for the people; and offer the oblation of the people, and make atonement for them; as Jehovah commanded.

8 So Aaron drew near unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin-offering, which was for himself.

9 And the sons of Aaron presented the blood unto him; and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the base of the altar:

10 but the fat, and the kidneys, and the caul from the liver of the sin-offering, he burnt upon the altar; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

11 And the flesh and the skin he burnt with fire without the camp.

12 And he slew the burnt-offering; and Aaron's sons delivered unto him the blood, and he sprinkled it upon the altar round about.

13 And they delivered the burnt-offering unto him, piece by piece, and the head: and he burnt them upon the altar.

14 And he washed the inwards and the legs, and burnt them upon the burnt-offering on the altar.

15 And he presented the people's oblation, and took the goat of the sin-offering which was for the people, and slew it, and offered it for sin, as the first.

16 And he presented the burnt-offering, and offered it according to the ordinance.

17 And he presented the meal-offering, and filled his hand therefrom, and burnt it upon the altar, besides the burnt-offering of the morning.

18 He slew also the ox and the ram, the sacrifice of peace-offerings, which was for the people: and Aaron's sons delivered unto him the blood, which he sprinkled upon the altar round about,

19 and the fat of the ox and of the ram, the fat tail, and that which covereth `the inwards', and the kidneys, and the caul of the liver:

20 and they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burnt the fat upon the altar:

21 and the breasts and the right thigh Aaron waved for a wave-offering before Jehovah; as Moses commanded.

22 And Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people, and blessed them; and he came down from offering the sin-offering, and the burnt-offering, and the peace-offerings.

23 And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of Jehovah appeared unto all the people.

24 And there came forth fire from before Jehovah, and consumed upon the altar the burnt-offering and the fat: and when all the people saw it, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

Leviticus 9:1-24 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And it cometh to pass on the eighth day, Moses hath called for Aaron and for his sons, and for the elders of Israel,

2 and he saith unto Aaron, `Take to thyself a calf, a son of the herd, for a sin-offering, and a ram for a burnt-offering, perfect ones, and bring near before Jehovah.

3 `And unto the sons of Israel thou dost speak, saying, Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin-offering, and a calf, and a lamb, sons of a year, perfect ones, for a burnt-offering,

4 and a bullock and a ram for peace-offerings, to sacrifice before Jehovah, and a present mixed with oil; for to-day Jehovah hath appeared unto you.'

5 And they take that which Moses hath commanded unto the front of the tent of meeting, and all the company draw near and stand before Jehovah;

6 and Moses saith, `This `is' the thing which Jehovah hath commanded; do `it', and the honour of Jehovah doth appear unto you.'

7 And Moses saith unto Aaron, `Draw near unto the altar, and make thy sin-offering, and thy burnt-offering, and make atonement for thyself, and for the people, and make the offering of the people, and make atonement for them, as Jehovah hath commanded.'

8 And Aaron draweth near unto the altar, and slaughtereth the calf of the sin-offering, which `is' for himself;

9 and the sons of Aaron bring the blood near unto him, and he dippeth his finger in the blood, and putteth `it' on the horns of the altar, and the blood he hath poured out at the foundation of the altar;

10 and the fat, and the kidneys, and the redundance of the liver, of the sin-offering, he hath made a perfume on the altar, as Jehovah hath commanded Moses;

11 and the flesh and the skin he hath burnt with fire, at the outside of the camp.

12 And he slaughtereth the burnt-offering, and the sons of Aaron have presented unto him the blood, and he sprinkleth it on the altar round about;

13 and the burnt-offering they have presented unto him, by its pieces, and the head, and he maketh perfume on the altar;

14 and he washeth the inwards and the legs, and maketh perfume for the burnt-offering on the altar.

15 And he bringeth near the offering of the people, and taketh the goat of the sin-offering which `is' for the people, and slaughtered it, and maketh it a sin-offering, like the first;

16 and he bringeth near the burnt-offering, and maketh it, according to the ordinance;

17 and he bringeth near the present, and filleth his palm with it, and maketh perfume on the altar, apart from the burnt-offering of the morning.

18 And he slaughtereth the bullock and the ram, a sacrifice of the peace-offerings, which `are' for the people, and sons of Aaron present the blood unto him (and he sprinkleth it on the altar round about),

19 and the fat of the bullock, and of the ram, the fat tail, and the covering `of the inwards', and the kidneys, and the redundance above the liver,

20 and they set the fat on the breasts, and he maketh perfume with the fat on the altar;

21 and the breasts, and the right leg hath Aaron waved -- a wave-offering before Jehovah, as He hath commanded Moses.

22 And Aaron lifteth up his hand towards the people, and blesseth them, and cometh down from making the sin-offering, and the burnt-offering, and the peace-offerings.

23 And Moses goeth in -- Aaron also -- unto the tent of meeting, and they come out, and bless the people, and the honour of Jehovah appeareth unto all the people;

24 and fire cometh out from before Jehovah, and consumeth on the altar the burnt-offering, and the fat; and all the people see, and cry aloud, and fall on their faces.

Leviticus 9:1-24 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 And it came to pass on the eighth day, [that] Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel,

2 and said to Aaron, Take thee a young calf for a sin-offering, and a ram for a burnt-offering, without blemish, and present [them] before Jehovah;

3 and to the children of Israel shalt thou speak, saying, Take a buck of the goats for a sin-offering, and a calf and a lamb, yearlings, without blemish, for a burnt-offering;

4 and a bullock and a ram for a peace-offering, to sacrifice before Jehovah; and an oblation mingled with oil; for to-day Jehovah will appear to you.

5 And they brought what Moses commanded before the tent of meeting; and all the assembly approached and stood before Jehovah.

6 And Moses said, This is the thing which Jehovah has commanded that ye should do; and the glory of Jehovah shall appear to you.

7 And Moses said unto Aaron, Go to the altar, and offer thy sin-offering, and thy burnt-offering, and make atonement for thyself, and for the people; and offer the offering of the people, and make atonement for them, as Jehovah has commanded.

8 And Aaron went to the altar and slaughtered the calf of the sin-offering which was for himself;

9 and the sons of Aaron presented the blood to him, and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put [it] on the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the bottom of the altar.

10 And the fat, and the kidneys, and the net above the liver, of the sin-offering, he burned on the altar, as Jehovah had commanded Moses.

11 And the flesh and the skin he burned with fire outside the camp.

12 And he slaughtered the burnt-offering; and Aaron's sons delivered to him the blood, which he sprinkled on the altar round about.

13 And they delivered the burnt-offering to him, in the pieces thereof, and the head; and he burned [them] on the altar.

14 And he washed the inwards and the legs, and burned [them] upon the burnt-offering, on the altar.

15 And he presented the people's offering, and took the goat of the sin-offering which was for the people and slaughtered it, and offered it for sin, as the first.

16 And he presented the burnt-offering and offered it according to the ordinance.

17 And he presented the oblation, and took a handful of it, and burned it on the altar, besides the burnt-offering of the morning.

18 And he slaughtered the bullock and the ram of the sacrifice of peace-offering which was for the people. And Aaron's sons delivered to him the blood, and he sprinkled it on the altar round about;

19 and the pieces of fat of the bullock and of the ram, the fat tail and what covers [the inwards], and the kidneys, and the net of the liver;

20 and they put the pieces of fat on the breast-pieces, and he burned the pieces of fat on the altar;

21 and the breast-pieces and the right shoulder Aaron waved as a wave-offering before Jehovah, as Moses had commanded.

22 And Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them, and came down after the offering of the sin-offering, and the burnt-offering, and the peace-offering.

23 And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, and came out and blessed the people; and the glory of Jehovah appeared to all the people.

24 And there went out fire from before Jehovah, and consumed on the altar the burnt-offering, and the pieces of fat; and all the people saw it, and they shouted, and fell on their face.

Leviticus 9:1-24 World English Bible (WEB)

1 It happened on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel;

2 and he said to Aaron, "Take a calf from the herd for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without blemish, and offer them before Yahweh.

3 You shall speak to the children of Israel, saying, 'Take a male goat for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both a year old, without blemish, for a burnt offering;

4 and an ox and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before Yahweh; and a meal offering mixed with oil: for today Yahweh appears to you.'"

5 They brought what Moses commanded before the Tent of Meeting: and all the congregation drew near and stood before Yahweh.

6 Moses said, "This is the thing which Yahweh commanded that you should do: and the glory of Yahweh shall appear to you."

7 Moses said to Aaron, "Draw near to the altar, and offer your sin offering, and your burnt offering, and make atonement for yourself, and for the people; and offer the offering of the people, and make atonement for them; as Yahweh commanded."

8 So Aaron drew near to the altar, and killed the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself.

9 The sons of Aaron presented the blood to him; and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it on the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the base of the altar:

10 but the fat, and the kidneys, and the cover from the liver of the sin offering, he burned upon the altar; as Yahweh commanded Moses.

11 The flesh and the skin he burned with fire outside the camp.

12 He killed the burnt offering; and Aaron's sons delivered the blood to him, and he sprinkled it on the altar round about.

13 They delivered the burnt offering to him, piece by piece, and the head: and he burned them upon the altar.

14 He washed the innards and the legs, and burned them on the burnt offering on the altar.

15 He presented the people's offering, and took the goat of the sin offering which was for the people, and killed it, and offered it for sin, like the first.

16 He presented the burnt offering, and offered it according to the ordinance.

17 He presented the meal offering, and filled his hand from there, and burned it upon the altar, besides the burnt offering of the morning.

18 He also killed the ox and the ram, the sacrifice of peace offerings, which was for the people: and Aaron's sons delivered to him the blood, which he sprinkled on the altar round about,

19 and the fat of the ox and of the ram, the fat tail, and that which covers the innards, and the kidneys, and the cover of the liver:

20 and they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burned the fat on the altar:

21 and the breasts and the right thigh Aaron waved for a wave offering before Yahweh, as Moses commanded.

22 Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people, and blessed them; and he came down from offering the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings.

23 Moses and Aaron went into the Tent of Meeting, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of Yahweh appeared to all the people.

24 There came forth fire from before Yahweh, and consumed the burnt offering and the fat upon the altar: and when all the people saw it, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

Leviticus 9:1-24 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 And on the eighth day Moses sent for Aaron and his sons and the responsible men of Israel;

2 And he said to Aaron, Take a young ox for a sin-offering and a male sheep for a burned offering, without a mark, and make an offering of them before the Lord.

3 And say to the children of Israel: Take a he-goat for a sin-offering, and a young ox and a lamb, in their first year, without any mark on them, for a burned offering;

4 And an ox and a male sheep for peace-offerings, to be put to death before the Lord; and a meal offering mixed with oil: for this day you are to see the Lord.

5 And they took the things ordered by Moses, before the Tent of meeting, and all the people came near, waiting before the Lord.

6 And Moses said, This is what the Lord has said you are to do; and you will see the glory of the Lord.

7 And Moses said to Aaron, Come near to the altar and make your sin-offering and your burned offering to take away your sin and the sin of the people, and make the people's offering to take away their sin; as the Lord has given orders.

8 So Aaron came near to the altar and put to death the ox for the sin-offering for himself;

9 And the sons of Aaron gave him the blood and he put his finger in the blood and put it on the horns of the altar, draining out the blood at the base of the altar;

10 But the fat and the kidneys and the fat on the liver of the sin-offering were burned by him on the altar as the Lord gave orders to Moses.

11 And the flesh and the skin were burned with fire outside the tent-circle;

12 And he put to death the burned offering; and Aaron's sons gave him the blood and he put some of it on and round the altar;

13 And they gave him the parts of the burned offering, in their order, and the head, to be burned on the altar.

14 And the inside parts and the legs, when they had been washed with water, were burned on the burned offering on the altar.

15 And he made an offering for the people and took the goat of the sin-offering for the people and put it to death, offering it for sin, in the same way as the first.

16 And he took the burned offering, offering it in the ordered way;

17 And he put the meal offering before the Lord, and taking some of it in his hand he had it burned on the altar, separately from the burned offering of the morning.

18 And he put to death the ox and the sheep, which were the peace-offerings for the people; and Aaron's sons gave him the blood and he put some of it on and round the altar;

19 And as for the fat of the ox and the fat tail of the sheep and the fat covering the inside parts and the kidneys and the fat on the liver;

20 They put the fat on the breasts, and the fat was burned on the altar.

21 And Aaron took the breasts and the right leg, waving them for a wave offering before the Lord, as Moses gave orders.

22 And Aaron, lifting up his hands to the people, gave them a blessing; and he came down from offering the sin-offering, and the burned offering, and the peace-offerings.

23 And Moses and Aaron went into the Tent of meeting, and came out and gave the people a blessing, and the glory of the Lord was seen by all the people.

24 And fire came out from before the Lord, burning up the offering on the altar and the fat: and when all the people saw it, they gave a loud cry, falling down on their faces.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Leviticus 9

Commentary on Leviticus 9 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill   Keil & Delitzsch   Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible  

Chapter 9

Aaron and his sons, having been solemnly consecrated to the priesthood, are in this chapter entering upon the execution of their office, the very next day after their consecration was completed.

  • I. Moses (no doubt by direction from God) appoints a meeting between God and his priests, as the representatives of his people, ordering them to attend him, and assuring them that he would appear to them (v. 1-7).
  • II. The meeting is held according to the appointment.
    • 1. Aaron attends on God by sacrifice, offering a sin-offering and burnt-offering for himself (v. 8-14), and then the offerings for the people, whom he blessed in the name of the Lord (v. 15-22).
    • 2. God signifies his acceptance,
      • (1.) Of their persons, by showing them his glory (v. 23).
      • (2.) Of their sacrifices, by consuming them with fire from heaven (v. 24).

Lev 9:1-7

Orders are here given for another solemnity upon the eighth day; for the newly-ordained priests were set to work immediately after the days of their consecration were finished, to let them know that they were not ordained to be idle: He that desires the office of a bishop desires a good work, which must be looked at with desire, more than the honour and benefit. The priests had not so much as one day's respite from service allowed them, that they might divert themselves, and receive the compliments of their friends upon their elevation, but were busily employed the very next day; for their consecration was the filling of their hands. God's spiritual priests have constant work cut out for them, which the duty of every day requires; and those that would give up their account with joy must redeem time; see Eze. 43:26, 27. Now,

  • 1. Moses raises their expectation of a glorious appearance of God to them this day (v. 4): "To day the Lord will appear to you that are the priests.' And when all the congregation are gathered together, and stand before the Lord, he tells them (v. 6), The glory of the Lord shall appear to you. Though they had reason enough to believe God's acceptance of all that they had done according to his appointment, upon the general assurance we have that he is the rewarder of those that diligently seek him (even if he had not given them any sensible token of it), yet that if possible they and theirs might be effectually obliged to the service and worship of God, and might never turn aside to idols, the glory of God appeared to them, and visibly owned what they had done. We are not now to expect such appearances; we Christians walk more by faith, and less by sight, than they did. But we may be sure that God draws nigh to those who draw nigh to him, and that the offerings of faith are really acceptable to him, though, the sacrifices being spiritual, the tokens of the acceptance are, as it is fit they should be, spiritual likewise. To those who are duly consecrated to God he will undoubtedly manifest himself.
  • 2. He puts both priests and people upon preparing to receive this favour which God designed them. Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel, are all summoned to attend, v. 1. Note, God will manifest himself in the solemn assemblies of his people and ministers; and those that would have the benefit and comfort of God's appearances must in them give their attendance.
    • (1.) Aaron is ordered to prepare his offerings: A young calf for a sin-offering, v. 2. The Jewish writers suggest that a calf was appointed for a sin-offering to remind him of his sin in making the golden calf, by which he had rendered himself for ever unworthy of the honour of the priesthood, and which he had reason to reflect upon with sorrow and shame in all the atonements he made.
    • (2.) Aaron must direct the people to get theirs ready. Hitherto Moses had told the people what they must do; but now Aaron, as high priest over the house of God, must be their teacher, in things pertaining to God: Unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, v. 3. Now that he was to speak from them to God in the sacrifices (the language of which he that appointed them very well understood) he must speak from God to them in the laws about the sacrifices. Thus Moses would engage the people's respect and obedience to him, as one that was set over them in the Lord, to admonish them.
    • (3.) Aaron must offer his own first, and then the people's, v. 7. Aaron must now go to the altar, Moses having shown him the way to it; and there,
      • [1.] He must make an atonement for himself; for the high priest, being compassed with infirmity, ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins (Heb. 5:2, 3), and for himself first; for how can we expect to be accepted in our prayers for others, if we ourselves be not reconciled to God? Nor is any service pleasing to God till the guilt of sin be removed by our interest in the great propitiation. Those that have the care of the souls of others are also hereby taught to look to their own in the first place; this charity must begin at home, though it must not end there. It is the charge to Timothy, to take care to save himself first, and then those that heard him, 1 Tim. 4:16. The high priest made atonement for himself, as one that was joined with sinners; but we have a high priest that was separated from sinners, and needed no atonement. When Messiah the prince was cut off as a sacrifice, it was not for himself; for he knew no sin.
      • [2.] He must make an atonement for the people, by offering their sacrifices. Now that he was made a high priest he must lay to heart the concerns of the people, and this as their great concern, their reconciliation to God, and the putting away of sin which had separated between them and God. He must make atonement as the Lord commanded. See here the wonderful condescension of the mercy of God, that he not only allows an atonement to be made, but commands it; not only admits, but requires us to be reconciled to him. No room therefore is left to doubt but that the atonement which is commanded will be accepted.

Lev 9:8-22

These being the first offerings that ever were offered by the levitical priesthood, according to the newly-enacted law of sacrifices, the manner of offering them is particularly related, that it might appear how exactly they agreed with the institution.

  • 1. Aaron with his own hands slew the offering (v. 8), and did the work of the inferior priests; for, great as he was, he must not think any service below him which he could do for the honour of God: and, as Moses had shown him how to do this work decently and dexterously, so he showed his sons, that they might do likewise; for this is the best way of teaching, and thus parents should instruct their children by example. Therefore as Moses before, so Aaron now offered some of each of the several sorts of sacrifices that were appointed, whose rites differed, that they might be thoroughly furnished for every good work.
  • 2. He offered these besides the burnt-sacrifice of the morning, which was every day offered first, v. 17. Note, Our accustomed devotions morning and evening, alone and in our families, must not be omitted upon any pretence whatsoever, no, not when extraordinary services are to be performed; whatever is added, these must not be diminished.
  • 3. It is not clear whether, when it is said that he burnt such and such parts of the sacrifices upon the altar (v. 10-20), the meaning is that he burnt them immediately with ordinary fire, as formerly, or that he laid them upon the altar ready to be burnt with the fire from heaven which they expected (v. 24), or whether, as bishop Patrick thinks, he burnt the offerings for himself with ordinary fire, but when they were burnt out he laid the people's sacrifices upon the altar, which were kindled and consumed by the fire of the Lord. I would rather conjecture, because it is said of all these sacrifices that he burnt them (except the burnt-offering for the people, of which it is said that he offered it according to the manner, v. 16, which seems to be equivalent), that he did not kindle the fire to burn them, but that then the fire from the Lord fastened upon them, put out the fire that he had kindled (as we know a greater fire puts out a less), and suddenly consumed the remainder, which the fire he had kindled would have consumed slowly.
  • 4. When Aaron had done all that on his part was to be done about the sacrifices he lifted up his hand towards the people, and blessed them, v. 22. This was one part of the priest's work, in which he was a type of Christ, who came into the world to bless us, and when he was parted from his disciples, at his ascension, lifted up his hands and blessed them, and in them his whole church, of which they were the elders and representatives, as the great high priest of our profession. Aaron lifted up his hands in blessing them, to intimate whence he desired and expected the blessing to come, even from heaven, which is God's throne. Aaron could but crave a blessing, it is God's prerogative to command it. Aaron, when he had blessed, came down; Christ, when he blessed, went up.

Lev 9:23-24

We are not told what Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle to do, v. 23. Some of the Jewish writers say, "They went in to pray for the appearance of the divine glory;' most probably they went in that Moses might instruct Aaron how to do the service that was to be done there-burn incense, light the lamps, set the show-bread, etc., that he might instruct his sons in it. But, when they came out, they both joined in blessing the people, who stood expecting the promised appearance of the divine glory; and it was now (when Moses and Aaron concurred in praying) that they had what they waited for. Note, God's manifestations of himself, of his glory and grace, are commonly given in answer to prayer. When Christ was praying the heavens were opened, Lu. 3:21. The glory of God appeared, not while the sacrifices were in offering, but when the priests prayed (as 2 Chr. 5:13), when they praised God, which intimates that the prayers and praises of God's spiritual priests are more pleasing to God than all burnt-offerings and sacrifices.

When the solemnity was finished, the blessing pronounced, and the congregation ready to be dismissed, in the close of the day, then God testified his acceptance, which gave them such satisfaction as was well worth waiting for.

  • I. The glory of the Lord appeared unto all the people, v. 23. What the appearance of it was we are not told; no doubt it was such as carried its own evidence along with it. The glory which filled the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34) now showed itself at the door of the tabernacle to those who attended there, as a prince shows himself to the expecting crowd, to gratify them. God hereby testified of their gifts, and showed them that he was worthy for whom they should do all this. Note, Those that diligently attend upon God in the way he has appointed shall have such a sight of his glory as shall be abundantly to their satisfaction. Those that dwell in God's house with an eye of faith may behold the beauty of the Lord.
  • II. There came a fire out from before the Lord, and consumed the sacrifice, v. 24. Here the learned bishop Patrick has a very probable conjecture, that Moses and Aaron staid in the tabernacle till it was time to offer the evening sacrifice, which Aaron did, but it is not mentioned, because it was done of course, and it was this which the fire that came out from the Lord consumed. Whether this fire came from heaven, or out of the most holy place, or from that visible appearance of the glory of God which all the people saw, it was a manifest token of God's acceptance of their service, as, afterwards, of Solomon's sacrifice, 2 Chr. 7:1, and Elijah's, 1 Ki. 18:38.
    • 1. This fire did consume (or, as the word is, eat up) the present sacrifice. And two ways this was a testimony of acceptance:-
      • (1.) It signified the turning away of God's wrath from them. God's wrath is a consuming fire; this fire might justly have fastened upon the people, and consumed them for their sins; but its fastening upon the sacrifice, and consuming that, signified God's acceptance of that as an atonement for the sinner.
      • (2.) It signified God's entering into covenant and communion with them: they ate their part of the sacrifice, and the fire of the Lord ate up his part; and thus he did, as it were, sup with them, and they with him, Rev. 3:20.
    • 2. This fire did, as it were, take possession of the altar. The fire was thus kindled in God's house, which was to continue as long as the house stood, as we read before, ch. 6:13. This also was a figure of good things to come. The Spirit descended upon the apostles in fire (Acts 2:3), so ratifying their commission, as this spoken of here did the priests'. And the descent of this holy fire into our souls to kindle in them pious and devout affections towards God, and such a holy zeal as burns up the flesh and the lusts of it, is a certain token of God's gracious acceptance of our persons and performances. That redounds to God's glory which is the work of his own grace in us. Hereby we know that we dwell in God, and God in us, because he hath thus given us of his Spirit, 1 Jn. 4:13. Now henceforward,
      • (1.) All their sacrifices and incense must be offered with this fire. Note, Nothing goes to God but what comes from him. We must have grace, that holy fire, from the God of grace, else we cannot serve him acceptably, Heb. 12:28.
      • (2.) The priests must keep it burning with a constant supply of fuel, and the fuel must be wood, the cleanest of fuel. Thus those to whom God has given grace must take heed of quenching the Spirit.
  • III. We are here told how the people were affected with this discovery of God's glory and grace; they received it,
    • 1. With the highest joy: They shouted; so stirring up themselves and one another to a holy triumph, in the assurance now given them that they had God nigh unto them, which is spoken of the grandeur of their nation, Deu. 4:7.
    • 2. With the lowest reverence: They fell on their faces, humbly adoring the majesty of that God who vouchsafed thus to manifest himself to them. That is a sinful fear of God which drives us from him; a gracious fear makes us bow before him. Very good impressions were made upon their minds for the present, but they soon wore off, as those commonly do which are made by that which is only sensible; while the influences of faith are durable.