Leviticus 8:12

12 Which oil he shedded upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, and hallowed (him). (And then he poured some of the oil on Aaron's head, and anointed him, and consecrated 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 And he took also the oil of anointing, with which he anointed the tabernacle with all his purtenance; and when he had hallowed (them), (And he took the anointing oil, and he anointed the Tabernacle, and all its purtenances; and when he had consecrated, or had dedicated, them,)
11 and had sprinkled the altar seven times, he anointed it, and hallowed with (the) oil all the vessels thereof, and the great washing vessel with his foundament (and the great washing vessel, and its foundation, or its base).
12 Which oil he shedded upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, and hallowed (him). (And then he poured some of the oil on Aaron's head, and anointed him, and consecrated him.)
13 And his sons offered, or presented, Moses clothed (them) with linen coats, and he girded them with girdles, and he set on their heads mitres, as the Lord commanded. (And then Aaron's sons were brought forth, and Moses clothed them with linen shirts, or with linen robes, and he girded them with sashes, and he put turbans, or caps, on their heads, as the Lord commanded.)
14 He offered also a calf for sin (And he brought forth the calf for the sin offering); and when Aaron and his sons had put their hands on the head of that calf,
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.