Leviticus 9

Aaron is charged to begin the function of his Priestly office, v. 1, etc. he doth it, offering first for himself, 8. and afterwards for the people, 15. which he likewise blesseth, 22. God confirmeth this service with a Token, 24.

1. And it came to pass on the eight day, [viz. the day after the seven days of the Congregation, mentioned before, chapter 28. verse 37. Compare Ezekiel 43:26, 27.] that Moseh called Aaron and his sons, and the eldest of Israel. [see above chapter 4. on verse 15.]

2. And he said unto Aaron; Take thee a Calf [i.e. to be slain for thee; see below verse 8.] a young Bullock] for a sin-offering, and a Ram for a burnt-offering, (which) are perfect; and bring them before the face of the LORD. [See above chapter 1. on verse 3.]

3. After that, speak unto the children of Israel, saying; Take a he-goat for a sin-offering, and a calf, and a lamb of one year. [Heb. sons of a year; so below chapter 14. verse 10.] perfect, for a burnt offering.

4. Likewise a Bullock, and a Ram, for a thank-offering, to offer before the face of the LORD, and a meat-offering mixed with oil; for to day the LORD will appear unto you. [Heb. the LORD is (or, hath) appeared unto you. he speaketh of the future act, mentioned below, v. 24. as if it were present, yea past already, to make them apprehend the assurance and certainty of the thing: so Genesis 20:3. Exodus 9:3. Matthew 26:28. etc]

5. Then they took what Moseh had commanded them, (bringing the same) [These words in the parenthesis are inserted here, in regard that the precedent Verb to take, doth oft times include another word in it self, to complete the sense. See Gen. 12. on verse 15. Oth. Then they brought that which Moseh had commanded] right before the Tent of the Congregation: and the whole Congregation drew near, and stood before the face of the LORD.

6. And Moseh said; This thing which the LORD hath commanded, shall ye do: and the glory of the LORD shall appear unto you. [Understand the glorious tokens of the manifestation of God by fire, which came forth from the LORD, whereby the burnt-offering was kindled and consumed without any human means or help: see below verse 23, 24. Compare Exodus 24:16, 17. and chapter 40, 34, 35. Ezekiel 43:2.]

7. And Moseh said to Aaron; Draw near unto the Altar, and make (ready) thy sin-offering, and thy burnt-offering: and make Expiation for thee and for the people; [first, for thyself, that thou mayest be sit, to make the Expiation for the people, having expiated thy self first. For the Levitical Priest’s, being sinners as well as the rest, they were necessitated to offer likewise for themselves, Hebrews 7:27, 28.] after that make (ready) the sacrifice of the people, and make the Expiation for them, according as the LORD hath commanded.

8. Then Aaron approached to the Altar; and slew the calf of the sin-offering [i.e. that which was to be offered for sin. Compare below the Annotations on ferse 1.5.] which was for him (self).

9. And the sons of Aaron brought the blood unto him, and he dipped his finger in that blood, and did it upon the horns of the Altar: then he poured out the blood at the bottomof the Altar.

10. But the fat and kidneys, and the cawl of the liver of the sin-offering he did kindle upon the Altar, [i.e. he did fit and prepare the same for to be kindled and consumed there. So below chapter 13. verse 14, 27, 20. for it was presently after kindled and consumed by the fire, which wonderfully fell down out of heaven, or else came forth out of the Holy of Holies; below verse 24.] according as the LORD had commanded Moseh.

11. But the flesh and the skin [Together with all that was yet remaining of that Calf. Compare above 4. 11.] he burned with fire without the Camp.

12. After that he slew the burnt-offering: and the sons of Aaron delivered unto him [Heb. caused to find on him, i.e. delivered, reached forth to him, or served him with, or brought unto him; and so in the sequel, verse 13. and 18, & c.] the blood; and he sprinkled that round about the Altar.

13. They delivered him likewise the burnt-offering in its pieces; with the head: and he kindled it upon the Altar.

14. And he washed the entrails and the legs; and he kindled them upon the burnt-offering upon the Altar.

15. After that, he caused the sacrifice of the people to be brought near: and took the he-goat of the sin-offering, which was for the people, [Or, of the people; i.e. to be offered for the people. Compare verse 8. the Annotations] and slew him, and prepared him for a sin-offering, [Heb. he made him sin; i.e. he prepared him to be an offering for sin. Or, he un-sinned him; or, made him sin-less; i.e. he cleansed and purified the people of their sin by offering of him; understand, not really by the blood of the goat, but typically, and as pointing at the only sacrifice, Christ, who alone is able actually to take away sins, Heb. 9. and 10. see above chapter 4. on ver. 20. wherefore he is likewise said to be made sin to us, 2 Cor. 5. 11.] like unto the first: [viz. the offering of the Calf: see above ver. 1. and 8.]

16. Moreover he caused the burnt-offering to be brought near, and made the same (ready) according to the right. [i.e. in that lawful manner, as it ought to be done. See above chapter 5. on verse 10.]

17. And he caused the meat-offering to be brought near, [Which was always to accompany the burnt-offering, as is to be gathered, above by chapter 6.] and filled thereof his hand [viz. with meal-flower whereof kindled it upon the Altar; besides the burnt-offering of the morning. [i.e. that which was to be offered every morning in course: See Exodus 29:38, 39, 40.]

18. After that he slew the Bullock and the Ram for a thank-offering, which was for the people: [viz. to be sacrificed for them. Compare above the annotation on v. 8.] and the sons of Aaron delivered the blood unto him (which he sprinkled round about the Altar)

19. And the fat of the Bullock, and of the Ram , the rump, and that which covereth (the Entrails) [Understand the fat, which covereth the entrails. Compare above chapter 3. v. 3, 9. 14. and chapter 4. v. 8. and chapter 7. v. 3, & c. out of which places this word entrails, is inserted here, to make up the sence.] and the kidneys, and the cawl of the liver.

20. And they laid the fat upon the breasts, and he [viz. Aaron] kindled that fat upon the Altar.

21. But the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron waved for a wave-offering, before the face of the LORD, according as Moseh had commanded.

22. After that, Aaron lifted up his hands to the people, and blessed them; [viz. as Priest, whose office it was, to impart the spiritual goods unto the people of God; by teaching, offering, and praying. Now the public blessing was a kind of prayer, whereof we read the form. Num. 6. verse 23] and he came down [viz. from an hillock of an ease gentle ascent, without steps whereon the Altar stood, so that it could easily be seen round about, what was a doing thereupon. Compare Exodus 20:26. Oth. being come down] after that he had done the sin-offering, and burnt-offering, and thank-offering. [Heb. from doing of the sin-offering, etc.]

23. Then Moseh went with Aaron into the Tent of Congregation, after that they came forth and blessed the people: [viz. as God’s Ministers over his people; which blessing was performed openly with calling on the Name of God, according to the prescript, Numbers 6:24, etc. see also Deuteronomy 10:8.] and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people. [See the next verse, and above the Note on ver. 6.]

24. For a fire went forth from the face of the LORD, [i.e. from the Holy of Holies, called together with the whole Tabernacle, the House of God, 1 Samuel 3:15. 1 Chronicles 6:31, 32. where the Ark of the Covenant was, a Token of God’s presence. Or, understand this of Heavens, called likewise the Habitation of the LORD; Deuteronomy 26:15. Isaiah 63:15. 2 Chron. 30. 27. from whence in the days of Eliah, the fire fell down upon his sacrifice, 1 Kings 18:38.] and consumed upon the Altar the burnt-offering, and the fat: when all the people saw this, they shouted, [i.e. made a joyful noise and acclamation] and fell upon their faces. [in token of their humility and reverence: see Gen 17. on verse 3.]