Leviticus Chapter 9 — Aaron’s First Offerings
Aaron begins his priestly duties by offering sacrifices for himself and Israel, culminating in the appearance of God's glory and fire from heaven.
1On the eighth day, Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel;
2and he said to Aaron, “Take a calf from the herd for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without defect, and offer them before the LORD.
3You 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 defect, for a burnt offering;
4and a bull and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before the LORD; and a meal offering mixed with oil: for today the LORD appears to you.’ ”
5They brought what Moses commanded before the Tent of Meeting. All the congregation came near and stood before the LORD.
6Moses said, “This is the thing which the LORD commanded that you should do; and the LORD’s glory shall appear to you.”
7Moses 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 the LORD commanded.”
8So Aaron came near to the altar, and killed the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself.
9The 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;
10but the fat, and the kidneys, and the cover from the liver of the sin offering, he burned upon the altar, as the LORD commanded Moses.
11The meat and the skin he burned with fire outside the camp.
12He killed the burnt offering; and Aaron’s sons delivered the blood to him, and he sprinkled it around on the altar.
13They delivered the burnt offering to him, piece by piece, and the head. He burned them upon the altar.
14He washed the innards and the legs, and burned them on the burnt offering on the altar.
15He 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.
16He presented the burnt offering, and offered it according to the ordinance.
17He presented the meal offering, and filled his hand from there, and burned it upon the altar, in addition to the burnt offering of the morning.
18He also killed the bull and the ram, the sacrifice of peace offerings, which was for the people. Aaron’s sons delivered to him the blood, which he sprinkled around on the altar;
19and the fat of the bull and of the ram, the fat tail, and that which covers the innards, and the kidneys, and the cover of the liver;
20and they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burned the fat on the altar.
21Aaron waved the breasts and the right thigh for a wave offering before the LORD, as Moses commanded.
22Aaron 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.
23Moses and Aaron went into the Tent of Meeting, and came out, and blessed the people; and the LORD’s glory appeared to all the people.
24Fire came out from before the LORD, and consumed the burnt offering and the fat upon the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted, and fell on their faces.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Leviticus 9:6
“Moses said, “This is the thing which the LORD commanded that you should do; and the LORD’s glory shall appear to you.””
This verse sets the expectation for the divine manifestation that concludes the chapter.
Leviticus 9:24
“Fire came out from before the LORD, and consumed the burnt offering and the fat upon the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted, and fell on their faces.”
This describes the miraculous confirmation of Aaron's priesthood and the acceptance of the offerings by God.
Chapter Summary
In Leviticus Chapter 9, the formal ministry of Aaron and his sons begins on the eighth day following their seven-day ordination. Moses instructs Aaron to prepare specific sacrifices: a calf and ram for himself, and a variety of offerings for the congregation, including a goat, calf, lamb, bull, ram, and meal offering. Aaron follows these instructions meticulously, performing the rituals for the sin offering, burnt offering, and peace offerings at the altar. After the sacrifices are completed, Aaron blesses the people. Moses and Aaron then enter the Tent of Meeting and emerge together to bless the congregation. The climax occurs when the glory of the Lord appears to all the people, and divine fire descends to consume the offerings on the altar. Witnessing this supernatural confirmation of the priesthood, the Israelites shout and fall on their faces in worship and awe.
Frequently Asked Questions
The eighth day marked the conclusion of the seven-day ordination period for Aaron and his sons. It was the day they officially began their duties as priests by offering sacrifices for themselves and the assembly for the first time.
Before Aaron could make atonement for the people of Israel, he had to offer a sin offering and a burnt offering for himself. This ensured he was purified and prepared to represent the nation before God as commanded by Moses.
The result was the appearance of the glory of the Lord to all the people. Additionally, fire came out from the Lord and consumed the offerings on the altar, signifying God's approval and acceptance of the new priesthood.
Study Note
The 'eighth day' is a significant motif in scripture, often representing new beginnings or the start of a new covenantal era following a period of preparation.
Related Chapters
Leviticus 8
This chapter details the seven-day ordination process that precedes the events of chapter 9.
Leviticus 10
Following the success of the first offerings, this chapter records the tragic event involving Nadab and Abihu.
Exodus 40
This chapter describes the initial setting up of the Tabernacle where these offerings take place.
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