Keraia
Exodus 29

Exodus 29:33

Food for the Priests · Exodus 29:31–37
Read Exodus 29

Translations

Modern
They must eat those things by which atonement was made for their ordination and consecration. But no outsider may eat them, because these things are sacred.
Traditional
And they shall eat those things wherewith the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them: but a stranger shall not eat thereof, because they are holy.
Literal
And they shall eat them, that which atonement was made by them, to fill their hand, to sanctify them. And an outsider shall not eat them, because they are holy.
Latin
…ut sit placabile sacrificium, et sanctificentur offerentium manus. Alienigena non vescetur ex eis, quia sancti sunt.

Original

Hebrew
English
They must eat those things by which atonement was made for their ordination and consecration. But no outsider may eat them, because these things are sacred.

Notes

Exodus 29:33

atonement: Traditionally, atonement has often been explained as a “covering over.” This means that sin is covered so it no longer stands between God and people.

Some modern scholars connect the word to another Semitic root (a related word family from ancient Middle Eastern languages). That root does not appear elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible. Based on that idea, they understand the word to mean “blot out,” “erase,” or “cleanse.”

In both views, the result is the same. The effects of sin are removed. Because of this, people and even sacred objects can remain in God’s presence without being destroyed.

Exodus 29:32–34

Eating in the presence of the Lord showed a close relationship with him (as in 24:9–11).

Exodus 29:10–34

The consecration of Aaron's priesthood involved:

These patterns were later used for the people's regular offerings (see 29:38–46; Leviticus 1–5). In each case, Aaron and his sons placed their hands on the heads of the sacrificial animals (Exodus 29:10, 15, 19). This act showed that sin is a matter of life and death. God will only remove sin by a death.

Because it represents life, blood was important in these ceremonies (29:12, 16, 20, 21).

Exodus 29:1–37

Moses had to consecrate (or sanctify) Aaron and his sons to serve the Lord. The focus on making the priests holy appears throughout the ceremonies (29:6, 21, 28, 29, 34, 36, 37). God set them apart not only for service. But he set them apart to serve a God whose nature is very different from that of sinful humans. Leviticus 8 gives the account of how they followed these instructions.

Events

Glossary

Biblical Concept of Law Book of Exodus Deuteronomy, Book of History of Israel Holiness Leviticus, Book of Offerings and Sacrifices Ordain, Ordination Ordination Offering Tabernacle Temple

Topics

Priest: Benefits of Portions of Sacrifices and offerings Priest: The Time of Moses: Consecration of Priests: Ceremonies at Consecration of Partaking of the Sacrifices of Consecration Strangers: Mosaic Law Relating to Their Eating Things offered in Sacrifice Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: The Priests