Leviticus 8:12

12 Then he poured out {part of} the anointing oil on Aaron's head--thus he anointed him [in order] to consecrate him.

Leviticus 8:12 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 8:12

And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head
Which ran down to his beard, and to the collar of his coat, the robe of the ephod, but not to the skirts of his garments, as we wrongly render it, ( Psalms 133:2 ) . Jarchi says it was first poured on his head, and after that he put it between his eyebrows, and drew it with his finger here and there, or from one eyebrow to another: Maimonides F23 gives a like account, with some addition; he says, the oil was poured on his head, and he was anointed between the eyebrows, in the form of the Greek letter (c) , "chi": a greater profusion of oil was used in the anointing of Aaron than of the tabernacle, altar, and laver, and their vessels, he being so eminent a type of Christ, our high priest, anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows:

and anointed him to sanctify him;
to signify that he was set apart and devoted to the sacred office of the priesthood. The Targum of Jonathan observes, that this anointing was after he had clothed him; though some have thought it was done before the mitre and holy crown were put on: but if they were put on to complete the investiture, they might be taken off while the ceremony of anointing was performed.


FOOTNOTES:

F23 In Misn. Ceritot, c. 1. sect. 1.

Leviticus 8:12 In-Context

10 Then Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and all that [was] in it, and he consecrated them.
11 And he spattered {part of} it on the altar seven times--thus he anointed the altar and all of its utensils, and the basin and its stand, to consecrate them.
12 Then he poured out {part of} the anointing oil on Aaron's head--thus he anointed him [in order] to consecrate him.
13 Then Moses brought Aaron's sons near and clothed them [with] tunics and tied a sash [around] {each one}, and he bound headbands on them, [just] as Yahweh had commanded Moses.
14 Then he brought forth the bull of the sin offering, and Aaron and his sons placed their hands on the head of the bull of the sin offering,

Footnotes 3

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