Leviticus 8

Aaron and his sons are ordained (special ceremony to make them priests)


God gave Moses these instructions for making Aaron and his sons the priests. Moses should take Aaron, Aaron's sons, the special priests' clothes, the anointing oil, a bull for a sin offering, two rams, and a basket of bread made without yeast. 
[1] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
[2] Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, and the anointing oil, and a bullock for the sin offering, and two rams, and a basket of unleavened bread;

All of the Israelites should go to the door of the tabernacle.  Moses got together the people and the things that God told him to get.   The Israelites went to the tabernacle door. 
[3] And gather thou all the congregation together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
[4] And Moses did as the LORD commanded him; and the assembly was gathered together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.


Moses told the people that God told him what to do.  Moses washed Aaron and his sons with water.  Then he put on the special priests' clothes--the vest, the robe, the embroidered shirt (with fancy sewing), the turban (hat that wraps around), and the sash. 
[5] And Moses said unto the congregation, This is the thing which the LORD commanded to be done.
[6] And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water.
[7] And he put upon him the coat, and girded him with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound it unto him therewith.

He put on the square breastplate for the front. He put the Urim and Thummin in the breastplate.  No one now really knows what the Urim and Thummin looked like. When Aaron asked God questions, the Urim and Thummin helped him to receive God's answers. 
[8] And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim.


Moses put the special hat on Aaron. The special hat had the strip of gold on the front of it. The strip of gold had engraving (writing) on it. The writing said: "HOLINESS TO THE LORD".
[9] And he put the mitre upon his head; also upon the mitre, even upon his forefront, did he put the golden plate, the holy crown; as the LORD commanded Moses.


Moses took the special anointing oil and put it on the tabernacle and on everything in the tabernacle. This made everything holy.
[10] And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them.


Then Moses sprinkled the anointing oil on the altar 7 times.  He also put anointing oil on the altar equipment, the bowl, and the stand that the bowl sits on. This made everything holy.  
[11] And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all his vessels, both the laver and his foot, to sanctify them.


Then he put anointing oil on Aaron's head to make him holy.  Then Moses put the special priest clothes on Aaron's sons. They wore the special shirts, hats, and sashes around their waists. 
[12] And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.
[13] And Moses brought Aaron's sons, and put coats upon them, and girded them with girdles, and put bonnets upon them; as the LORD commanded Moses.


Moses brought a bull for a sin offering. Aaron and his sons put their hands on the bull's head. Moses killed the bull.  Then he used his finger and put some of the bull's blood on the horns on the corner of the altar. This made the altar pure. Then he poured out the rest of the blood at the bottom of the altar. 
[14] And he brought the bullock for the sin offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the bullock for the sin offering.
[15] And he slew it; and Moses took the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about with his finger, and purified the altar, and poured the blood at the bottom of the altar, and sanctified it, to make reconciliation upon it.


Then Moses burned the fat from the insides, the lower part of the liver,  and the two kidneys with their fat on the altar. He burned the rest of the bull (the meat, the skin, and the food in its stomach) outside the camp. He followed the instructions that God gave him. 
[16] And he took all the fat that was upon the inwards, and caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and their fat, and Moses burned it upon the altar.
[17] But the bullock, and his hide, his flesh, and his dung, he burnt with fire without the camp; as the LORD commanded Moses.


Moses followed the instructions that God gave him.  Moses brought a ram for a burnt offering. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the ram's head.  Moses killed the ram and sprinkled the ram's blood around the altar. Then Moses cut the ram into pieces. Moses washed the insides and the legs of the ram in water.  Moses burned all of the parts of the ram on the altar. The smoke made a smell that God liked.  
[18] And he brought the ram for the burnt offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram.
[19] And he killed it; and Moses sprinkled the blood upon the altar round about.
[20] And he cut the ram into pieces; and Moses burnt the head, and the pieces, and the fat.
[21] And he washed the inwards and the legs in water; and Moses burnt the whole ram upon the altar: it was a burnt sacrifice for a sweet savour, and an offering made by fire unto the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.


Moses brought another ram. This was the ram of consecration (for the ceremony to make Aaron and his sons priests). Aaron and his sons put their hands on the head of the ram. Moses killed the ram.  He took some of the ram's blood, and he put some of the blood on the tip of Aaron's right ear (so Aaron would listen to God's holy words), on the thumb of Aaron's right hand (so Aaron would do the holy work), and on the big toe of his right foot (so that Aaron would live a holy life).  He did the same for Aaron's sons.  Then he sprinkled the blood around the altar. 
[22] And he brought the other ram, the ram of consecration: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram.
[23] And he slew it; and Moses took of the blood of it, and put it upon the tip of Aaron's right ear, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot.
[24] And he brought Aaron's sons, and Moses put of the blood upon the tip of their right ear, and upon the thumbs of their right hands, and upon the great toes of their right feet: and Moses sprinkled the blood upon the altar round about.


Then Moses took the ram's fat, the tail, the fat from the inside, part of the liver, the kidneys, the fat on the kidneys, and the right shoulder.  He also took some bread out of the basket (this was the special basket for the ordaining ceremony with 3 kinds of flat bread with no yeast--some loaves, some cakes that have olive oil in them, and some thin bread with oil on them). He took out one loaf, a cake with oil, and a wafer (thin bread). He put them on the ram's fat and right shoulder. He put all of these things on Aaron's hands and on Aaron's sons' hands. They waved them back and forth in the air to show that they belonged to God.
[25] And he took the fat, and the rump, and all the fat that was upon the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and their fat, and the right shoulder:
[26] And out of the basket of unleavened bread, that was before the LORD, he took one unleavened cake, and a cake of oiled bread, and one wafer, and put them on the fat, and upon the right shoulder:
[27] And he put all upon Aaron's hands, and upon his sons' hands, and waved them for a wave offering before the LORD.


Moses then took the pieces of the ram and the cakes and burned them on the altar. This made a sweet smell that God liked. This was part of the ceremony to make Aaron and his sons priests. 
[28] And Moses took them from off their hands, and burnt them on the altar upon the burnt offering: they were consecrations for a sweet savour: it is an offering made by fire unto the LORD.


Moses lifted up the breast (ribs) of the ram. He waved it back and forth in the air to show that it was for God.  God had told Moses that he could keep this part of the ram. 
[29] And Moses took the breast, and waved it for a wave offering before the LORD: for of the ram of consecration it was Moses' part; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Moses got some of the special anointing oil and some of the blood that was on the altar. He sprinkled some of it on Aaron and Aaron's clothes.  He also sprinkled some of it on Aaron's sons and Aaron's sons' clothes. This made Aaron, his sons, Aaron's clothes, and Aaron's sons' clothes holy. 
[30] And Moses took of the anointing oil, and of the blood which was upon the altar, and sprinkled it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon his sons' garments with him; and sanctified Aaron, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him.


Moses told Aaron and his sons to boil the meat at the door of the tabernacle. They should eat the meat there. They should also eat the bread that was in the special basket.  If any meat or bread was leftover, they should burn it on the fire.  
[31] And Moses said unto Aaron and to his sons, Boil the flesh at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and there eat it with the bread that is in the basket of consecrations, as I commanded, saying, Aaron and his sons shall eat it.
[32] And that which remaineth of the flesh and of the bread shall ye burn with fire.


They did everything that God told them to do, and the things they did during the ceremony took away their sins. Aaron and his sons should stay in the tabernacle near the door for 7 days.  When 7 days were finished, they would be holy.  If they did not obey God and stay in the tabernacle for 7 days, they would die.  
[33] And ye shall not go out of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation in seven days, until the days of your consecration be at an end: for seven days shall he consecrate you.
[34] As he hath done this day, so the LORD hath commanded to do, to make an atonement for you.
[35] Therefore shall ye abide at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation day and night seven days, and keep the charge of the LORD, that ye die not: for so I am commanded.


Aaron and his sons did everything that God told them to do. 
[36] So Aaron and his sons did all things which the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.

Leviticus 9

Aaron and his sons make sacrifices for the Israelites


On the 8th day after the ceremony that ordained Aaron and his sons, Moses called them and the leaders of the Israelites. Moses told Aaron to get a young calf and a ram (male sheep) that was perfect.  The calf would be a sin offering, and the ram would be a burnt offering. 
[1] And it came to pass on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel;
[2] And he said unto Aaron, Take thee a young calf for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without blemish, and offer them before the LORD.


Aaron should tell the Israelites to make offerings. They should offer:
a young goat for a sin offering,
a perfect 1 year old calf and a perfect 1 year old lamb as burnt offerings,
a bull and a ram for peace offerings, and
grain mixed with oil.
On that day, the Lord God would appear to them. 
[3] And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying, Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt offering;
[4] Also a bullock and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before the LORD; and a meat offering mingled with oil: for to day the LORD will appear unto you.


The people brought the offerings that Aaron told them to bring.  Moses said that they had obeyed God, and that God would appear to them. 
[5] And they brought that which Moses commanded before the tabernacle of the congregation: and all the congregation drew near and stood before the LORD.
[6] And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commanded that ye should do: and the glory of the LORD shall appear unto you.


Moses told Aaron to first bring his own sin and burnt offerings to take away his sins.  Aaron should also bring the offerings for the people to take away their sins.  
[7] And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the LORD commanded.

Aaron went to the altar and killed the calf for his own sin offering.  Aaron's sons brought the calf's blood to him. Aaron dipped his finger into the blood. Aaron then put a little of the blood on the horns on the corners of the altar. Then he poured the rest of the blood on the bottom of the altar. 
[8] Aaron therefore went unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself.
[9] And the sons of Aaron brought the blood unto him: and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the bottom of the altar:


Aaron burned the calf's fat, kidneys, and part of the liver on the altar. This is what God told Moses that he should do. 
[10] But the fat, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver of the sin offering, he burnt upon the altar; as the LORD commanded Moses.


Aaron burned the skin and meat of the calf on the fire outside the camp.
[11] And the flesh and the hide he burnt with fire without the camp.

Then Aaron killed the burnt offering. Aaron's sons brought him the blood. Aaron sprinkled the blood on the 4 sides of the altar.  Then Aaron's sons brought the pieces and the head of the offering to him.  Aaron burned these pieces on the altar.  
[12] And he slew the burnt offering; and Aaron's sons presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled round about upon the altar.
[13] And they presented the burnt offering unto him, with the pieces thereof, and the head: and he burnt them upon the altar.


Aaron washed the insides and the legs of the burnt offering. Then he burned them on the altar.
[14] And he did wash the inwards and the legs, and burnt them upon the burnt offering on the altar.


Then Aaron made the sin offering for the Israelites. He followed the instructions, and he killed the goat and burned it on the altar.  Then he made the burnt offerings. Then he took a handful of the grain offering and burned it on the altar. 
[15] And he brought the people's offering, and took the goat, which was the sin offering for the people, and slew it, and offered it for sin, as the first.
[16] And he brought the burnt offering, and offered it according to the manner.
[17] And he brought the meat offering, and took an handful thereof, and burnt it upon the altar, beside the burnt sacrifice of the morning.


Then he killed the bull and the ram for the peace offerings for the Israelites.  Aaron's sons brought him the ram's and bull's blood. Aaron sprinkled the blood around on the sides of the altar. Then Aaron took the ram's and bull's fat, tails,  fat from the insides, kidneys, and part of the liver.  He put these parts on top of the breast meat from around the ribs. He burned the fat. He waved the breast meat back and forth in the air for a wave offering. This is what Moses had told him to do.
[18] He slew also the bullock and the ram for a sacrifice of peace offerings, which was for the people: and Aaron's sons presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled upon the altar round about,
[19] And the fat of the bullock and of the ram, the rump, and that which covereth the inwards, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver:
[20] And they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burnt the fat upon the altar:
[21] And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron waved for a wave offering before the LORD; as Moses commanded.


Aaron lifted up his hand and blessed the Israelites.  He came down from the altar after he finished offering the sin, burnt, and peace offerings.  Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle. When they came back out, they blessed the Israelites.  Then the bright light of the glory of the Lord was shining. The Israelites could see God.  Fire came out, and burned everything on the altar.  When the Israelites saw this, they shouted and bent down on their knees and prayed.   
[22] And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings.
[23] And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people.
[24] And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

Leviticus10

Nadab and Abihu do not obey God.


Aaron's sons were named Nadab and Abihu. They put fire in their firepans. They burned some incense and offered it to God. But God had not told them to do this. God sent fire and burned up Nadab and Abihu. They both died.
[1] And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.
[2] And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.


Moses talked to Aaron.  Moses told Aaron what God said.  God said that the people who come near Him (the priests) should see that He is holy. Then all of the people will see His glory. Aaron did not say anything. 
[3] Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.


Aaron's brother was Uzziel. Uzziel had 2 sons named Mishael and Elzaphan. Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan and told them to carry the bodies of Nadab and Abihu out of the camp.
[4] And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said unto them, Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp.


Mishael and Elzaphan obeyed. They pulled on Nadab's and Abihu's clothes and dragged them out of the camp.
[5] So they went near, and carried them in their coats out of the camp; as Moses had said.


Moses talked to Aaron and his 2 other sons, Eleazar and Ithamar.  He told them not to feel sad and mourn for Nadab and Abihu. They were not allowed to do the things that Israelite people usually did when they mourn--ripping their clothes and messing up their hair.  If they mourned and did these things, they would die, too, and God would punish all of the Israelites.  But Aaron's other family members and the other Israelites were allowed to mourn for Nadab and Abihu.
[6] And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the LORD hath kindled.


Aaron and his sons should not leave the tabernacle because they had been anointed with oil and were priests.  If they left the tabernacle, they would die.  They obeyed God and did what Moses told them to do. 
[7] And ye shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: for the anointing oil of the LORD is upon you. And they did according to the word of Moses.


God talked to Aaron.  He told him that he and his sons should not drink wine or strong drink before they went into the tabernacle. If they did drink these and then went into the tabernacle, they would die.  This would be a law forever. 
[8] And the LORD spake unto Aaron, saying,
[9] Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:


They must know the difference between holy and unholy (not holy) and between clean and unclean (not clean).  They must teach all of the Israelites so that the Israelites would learn the laws that God told Moses to tell them.
[10] And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;
[11] And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses.


Moses talked to Aaron and his sons. He told them to take the grain offering that was leftover. They should eat it without any leavening (yeast) beside the altar. It is very holy. They should eat it in the holy place. It is their part of the offerings made to God.  This is what God told Moses that they should do. 
[12] And Moses spake unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons that were left, Take the meat offering that remaineth of the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and eat it without leaven beside the altar: for it is most holy:
[13] And ye shall eat it in the holy place, because it is thy due, and thy sons' due, of the sacrifices of the LORD made by fire: for so I am commanded.


Aaron and his sons and his daughters could eat the breast meat and shoulder from the wave offering and the heave offering. They should eat them in a holy place.   It is their part of the peace offerings that the Israelites made to God. They would be allowed to eat these offerings forever.
[14] And the wave breast and heave shoulder shall ye eat in a clean place; thou, and thy sons, and thy daughters with thee: for they be thy due, and thy sons' due, which are given out of the sacrifices of peace offerings of the children of Israel.
[15] The heave shoulder and the wave breast shall they bring with the offerings made by fire of the fat, to wave it for a wave offering before the LORD; and it shall be thine, and thy sons' with thee, by a statute for ever; as the LORD hath commanded.


Moses asked about the goat that was the sin offering.  He learned that it had been burned on the altar. Moses was mad at Aaron's sons, Eleazar and Ithamar.   They were supposed to eat the goat. When the priests ate sacrifices, the priests became holy. When the priests were holy, they could make the offerings to take away the sins of the other Israelites. 
[16] And Moses diligently sought the goat of the sin offering, and, behold, it was burnt: and he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, the sons of Aaron which were left alive, saying,
[17] Wherefore have ye not eaten the sin offering in the holy place, seeing it is most holy, and God hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD?


The goat's blood was not taken into the tent.  That meant that they were supposed to eat the meat in a holy place.  That is what Moses had told them to do. 
[18] Behold, the blood of it was not brought in within the holy place: ye should indeed have eaten it in the holy place, as I commanded.