Exodus 29:1

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 29:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them, to minister unto me in the priest`s office: take one young bullock and two rams without blemish,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them, to minister unto me in the priest`s office: take one young bullock and two rams without blemish,
Exodus 29:1 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 29

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them, to minister unto me in the priest`s office: take one young bullock and two rams without blemish,

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them, etc.] To Aaron and his sons: to “hallow” them; to sanctify them, set them apart, and consecrate them: to minister unto me in the priest’s office; for which the Lord had appointed them, to which he had chose, called, and separated them: take one young bullock, and two rams without blemish; a young bullock was an heifer of three years old, according to Kimchi f861, and such an one was used in sacrifice in former times, (see <011509>Genesis 15:9) though Maimonides f862 says it was one of two years, and so Abendana f863, whose words are, “a bullock is a son of two years, and a ram is after he has entered into the second year thirty one days;”…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“CONSECRATING THE PRIESTS AND THE ALTAR. (Exo. 29:1-35) hallow them, to minister unto me in the priest's office--The act of inaugurating the priests was accompanied by ceremonial solemnities well calculated not only to lead the people to entertain exalted views of the office, but to impress those functionaries themselves with a profound sense of its magnitude and importance. In short, they were taught to know that the service was for them as well as for the people; and every time they engaged in a new performance of their duties, they were reminded of their personal interest in the worship, by being obliged to offer for themselves, before they were qualified to offer as the representatives of…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The consecration of the priests. See the notes to Lev. 8–9. Exodus 29:4 Door of the tabernacle - Entrance of the tent. See Leviticus 8:3. Exodus 29:27 The “waving” was the more solemn process of the two: it was a movement several times repeated, while “heaving” was simply a “lifting up” once. Exodus 29:33 A stranger - One of another family, i. e. in this case, one not of the family of Aaron. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“29:1-37 Moses was required to consecrate (or sanctify) Aaron and his sons to serve the Lord. This emphasis on making the priests holy is found throughout the ceremonies (29:6, 21, 28, 29, 34, 36, 37). They were set apart not merely for service, but to serve a God whose nature is utterly different from that of fallen, sinful humans. The report of how these instructions were carried out is found in Lev 8. 29:1 with no defects: The same word is translated “blameless” and “perfect” in reference to human and divine behavior (e.g., Gen 17:1; Ps 18:30, 32). The sacrifice is representative of God’s own character and the character he seeks in humans.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“An, Ex, Is 1, Thammuz hallow them: Exo 29:21, Exo 20:11, Exo 28:41; Lev. 8:2-36; Mat 6:9 to minister: Exo 28:3 Take: Lev 8:2, Lev 9:2, Lev 16:3; Ch2 13:9 without: Exo 12:5; Lev 4:3, Lev 5:15, Lev 5:16, Lev 6:6, Lev 22:20; Mal 1:13, Mal 1:14; Heb 7:26; Pe1 1:19 Exodus 29:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Consecration of Aaron and his Sons through the anointing of their persons and the offering of sacrifices, the directions for which form the subject of vv. 1-35. This can only be fully understood in connection with the sacrificial law contained in Lev 1-7. It will be more advisable therefore to defer the examination of this ceremony till we come to Lev 8, where the consecration itself is described. The same may also be said of the expiation and anointing of the altar, which are commanded in Exo 29:36 and Exo 29:37, and carried out in Lev 8:11. Exodus 29:38”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification