Leviticus 8:12

12 and he poureth of the anointing oil on the head of Aaron, and anointeth him to sanctify 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 Moses taketh the anointing oil, and anointeth the tabernacle, and all that [is] in it, and sanctifieth them;
11 and he sprinkleth of it on the altar seven times, and anointeth the altar, and all its vessels, and the laver, and its base, to sanctify them;
12 and he poureth of the anointing oil on the head of Aaron, and anointeth him to sanctify him.
13 And Moses bringeth near the sons of Aaron, and doth clothe them [with] coats, and girdeth them [with] girdles, and bindeth for them turbans, as Jehovah hath commanded Moses.
14 And he bringeth nigh the bullock of the sin-offering, and Aaron layeth -- his sons also -- their hands on the head of the bullock of the sin-offering,
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.