Leviticus 9
CambridgeLeviticus 9:1
(1) The first sacrifices of Aaron (1–14) On the eighth day (the consecration of Aaron and his sons being complete) Aaron begins to offer sacrifice for himself and for the people, and his sons assist. The sacrifices are: for himself Sin-Offering. A bull calf Burnt-Offering. A ram Peace-Offering. A ram Meal-Offering. A ramfor the people A calf and a lamb An ox and a ram and a meal-offering mingled with oil. An ox and a ram and a meal-offering mingled with oil.A complete sequence of sacrifice is prescribed, and the whole offering is moderate in amount compared with those prescribed for the great festivals in Numbers 28, 29.
- elders] perhaps a late correction (Dillm.). Cp. ‘children’ in Leviticus 9:3, where Sam. and LXX. again introduce ‘elders.’
Leviticus 9:2
- a bull calf] Only here is a calf appointed for a Sin-Offering. According to Jewish tradition, expressed in Targ. Jon., it was to remind Aaron of his sin in making the golden calf at Horeb (Exodus 32).
Leviticus 9:3
- And unto the children] LXX. and Sam. have ‘elders’ as in Leviticus 9:1.
Leviticus 9:6
- This is the thing] as in Leviticus 8:5. To bring the sacrifices prescribed in Leviticus 9:2-4 is the thing which the Lord commanded.
Leviticus 9:7
- and for the people] LXX. has ‘and for thy house’ as in Leviticus 16:11; Leviticus 16:17. This seems right, as atonement for the people comes in the next clause.
Leviticus 9:8-11
8–11. The Sin-Offering is offered with the same ritual as in Leviticus 8:14-17. The blood is not brought into the holy place, but what is not burnt on the altar is consumed without the camp.
Leviticus 9:12-14
12–14. The Burnt-Offering is offered as in Leviticus 8:18-21.
Leviticus 9:15
(2) The offerings for the people (15–21) 15. The Sin-Offering for the people is offered ‘as the first’ i.e. in the same way as Aaron’s Sin-Offering; the blood is not brought into the tabernacle, and the sacrifice is wholly consumed. This treatment gives rise to the question of Lev 10:16.
Leviticus 9:16
- The Burnt-Offering offered ‘according to the ordinance’ as prescribed in ch. 1, or as in Leviticus 9:12-14. Cp. Leviticus 9:10.
Leviticus 9:17
- The Meal-Offering. The Heb. for taking a handful from the Meal-Offering in this verse is different from that in Leviticus 2:2. besides the burnt offering of the morning] The same words in Numbers 28:23 refer to the continual Burnt-Offering enjoined in Exodus 29:38-42 and Numbers 28:3-8. Are the Burnt-Offerings which have been already offered, or any of them, regarded as ‘the burnt offering of the morning’? or are these last words (so Dillm.) the gloss of a later scribe?
Leviticus 9:18-21
18–21. The sacrifice of Peace-Offerings. The fat parts of both animals are burnt by Aaron on the altar; the breasts and the right thigh (?of both animals) are ‘waved before the Lord.’ The right thigh was burnt in the ceremony of consecration (Leviticus 8:28); now Aaron, officiating as priest, retains both breast and thigh for himself.
Leviticus 9:22
- Aaron now lifts up his hands and blesses the people, exercising another of his priestly functions.
Leviticus 9:23
- And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting] The meaning of this action is not explained and the clause has been interpreted in various ways. If it be regarded as introducing Aaron to the tent of meeting, and to the duties which he had to perform there, the reason why Aaron has not hitherto brought any of the blood into the Holy place is apparent.
Leviticus 9:24
- A second blessing follows after Moses and Aaron come out from the temple. God’s approval is signified, for His servant has returned from His presence with gifts of grace for His people. It is further signified by the appearance of the glory of the Lord (cp. Leviticus 9:4; Leviticus 9:6), and the fire from before the Lord which consumes the Burnt-Offering and the fat. Similar manifestations of approval are recorded in Judges 6:21; 1 Kings 18:38; 1 Chronicles 21:26. In 2 Chronicles 7:1 the fire comes down from heaven. 24 a is perhaps an interpolation. In Leviticus 9:13; Leviticus 9:16 (cp. Leviticus 8:20) the ‘fat’ is not mentioned in connexion with the Burnt-Offerings, while it is stated (Leviticus 9:13) that Aaron burnt the pieces one by one. Moreover, the sacrifice was already ended (Leviticus 9:22), so that there is difficulty in supposing the fat and burnt-offering to be still upon the altar. Perhaps the LXX.’s ‘offered’ and ‘put’ for ‘burnt’ in Leviticus 9:13; Leviticus 9:17; Leviticus 9:20 may be influenced by this consideration. This is, however, a somewhat precarious deduction.