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.
Then a cloud H6051 covered H3680 the tent H168 of the congregation, H4150 and the glory H3519 of the LORD H3068 filled H4390 the tabernacle. H4908 And Moses H4872 was not able H3201 to enter H935 into the tent H168 of the congregation, H4150 because the cloud H6051 abode H7931 thereon, and the glory H3519 of the LORD H3068 filled H4390 the tabernacle. H4908
And it came to pass, when the priests H3548 were come out H3318 of the holy H6944 place, that the cloud H6051 filled H4390 the house H1004 of the LORD, H3068 So that the priests H3548 could H3201 not stand H5975 to minister H8334 because H6440 of the cloud: H6051 for the glory H3519 of the LORD H3068 had filled H4390 the house H1004 of the LORD. H3068 Then spake H559 Solomon, H8010 The LORD H3068 said H559 that he would dwell H7931 in the thick darkness. H6205
It came even to pass, as the trumpeters H2690 H2690 and singers H7891 were as one, H259 to make one H259 sound H6963 to be heard H8085 in praising H1984 and thanking H3034 the LORD; H3068 and when they lifted up H7311 their voice H6963 with the trumpets H2689 and cymbals H4700 and instruments H3627 of musick, H7892 and praised H1984 the LORD, H3068 saying, For he is good; H2896 for his mercy H2617 endureth for ever: H5769 that then the house H1004 was filled H4390 with a cloud, H6051 even the house H1004 of the LORD; H3068 So that the priests H3548 could H3201 not stand H5975 to minister H8334 by reason H6440 of the cloud: H6051 for the glory H3519 of the LORD H3068 had filled H4390 the house H1004 of God. H430
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Leviticus 9
Commentary on Leviticus 9 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 9
Le 9:1-24. The Priests' Entry into Office.
1-7. Moses called … Take thee a young calf for a sin offering—The directions in these sacred things were still given by Moses, the circumstances being extraordinary. But he was only the medium of communicating the divine will to the newly made priests. The first of their official acts was the sacrifice of another sin offering to atone for the defects of the inauguration services; and yet that sacrifice did not consist of a bullock—the sacrifice appointed for some particular transgression, but of a calf, perhaps not without a significant reference to Aaron's sin in the golden calf [Ex 32:22-24]. Then followed a burnt offering, expressive of their voluntary and entire self-devotement to the divine service. The newly consecrated priests having done this on their own account, they were called to offer a sin offering and burnt offering for the people, ending the ceremonial by a peace offering, which was a sacred feast. This injunction, "to make atonement for himself and for the people" (Septuagint, "for thy family"), at the commencement of his sacred functions, furnishes a striking evidence of the divine origin of the Jewish system of worship. In all false or corrupt forms of religion, the studied policy has been to inspire the people with an idea of the sanctity of the priesthood as in point of purity and favor with the Divinity far above the level of other men. But among the Hebrews the priests were required to offer for the expiation of their own sins as well as the humblest of the people. This imperfection of Aaron's priesthood, however, does not extend to the gospel dispensation: for our great High Priest, who has entered for us into "the true tabernacle," "knew no sin" (Heb 10:10, 11).
8. Aaron … went unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin offering—Whether it had been enjoined the first time, or was unavoidable from the divisions of the priestly labor not being as yet completely arranged, Aaron, assisted by his sons, appears to have slain the victims with his own hands, as well as gone through all the prescribed ritual at the altar.
17-21. meat offering … wave offering—It is observable that there is no notice taken of these in the offerings the priests made for themselves. They could not bear their own sins: and therefore, instead of eating any part of their own sin offering, as they were at liberty to do in the case of the people's offering, they had to carry the whole carcasses "without the camp and burn them with fire" [Ex 29:14; Le 4:12].
22. Aaron lifted up his hand … and blessed them—The pronouncing of a benediction on the people assembled in the court was a necessary part of the high priest's duty, and the formula in which it was to be given is described (Nu 6:23-27).
came down from offering—The altar was elevated above the level of the floor, and the ascent was by a gentle slope (Ex 20:26).
23. Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle—Moses, according to the divine instructions he had received, accompanied Aaron and his sons to initiate them into their sacred duties. Their previous occupations had detained them at the altar, and they now entered in company into the sacred edifice to bear the blood of the offerings within the sanctuary.
the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the people—perhaps in a resplendent effulgence above the tabernacle as a fresh token of the divine acceptance of that newly established seat of His worship.
24. there came a fire out from … the Lord—A flame emanating from that resplendent light that filled the holy place flashed upon the brazen altar and kindled the sacrifices. This miraculous fire—for the descent of which the people had probably been prepared, and which the priests were enjoined never to let go out (Le 6:13)—was a sign, not only of the acceptance of the offerings and of the establishment of Aaron's authority, but of God's actual residence in that chosen dwelling-place. The moment the solemn though welcome spectacle was seen, a simultaneous shout of joy and gratitude burst from the assembled congregation, and in the attitude of profoundest reverence they worshipped "a present Deity."