Leviticus 9 explained: Aaron's First Day as Priest

Getting ready (vv. 1-7)

After seven days of ordination, Moses tells Aaron and the people to bring animals for several kinds of offering, promising that the LORD will appear to them that day. Aaron must make atonement, meaning putting things right with God, first for himself and then for the people.

Aaron's own offerings (vv. 8-14)

Aaron offers a calf for his own wrongdoing, puts its blood on the altar's corner horns, and burns its meat outside the camp, since a priest could not eat from his own sin offering. He then offers a burnt offering, burned whole on the altar, which many read as a sign of giving something completely to God.

Offerings for the people (vv. 15-21)

He then offers the same kinds of sacrifice for the whole nation, plus a grain offering and a fellowship offering, a sacrifice shared like a meal between God, priests and worshippers. The fat was burned for God, while the breast and right thigh were lifted before the LORD and then kept as the priests' portion.

Aaron blesses the people (v. 22)

Aaron raises his hands and blesses the crowd, perhaps with words like the priestly blessing recorded later in Numbers 6. He then steps down from the raised altar, his first full round of service complete.

Fire from the LORD (vv. 23-24)

Moses and Aaron go into the tent for a reason the text does not give, then come out to bless the people, and the LORD's glory appears to everyone. Fire comes out from the LORD's presence and burns up what is on the altar, which was understood as a sign that God accepted the offerings and the new priests, and the people shout and fall face down.

Key verse: Leviticus 9:24

Something to think about

When has a formal ceremony felt empty to you, and when has one felt like something real was actually happening?