Leviticus 8:12

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Leviticus 8:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron`s head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron`s head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.
Leviticus 8:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Leviticus 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron`s head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.

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 he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron’s head, etc.] Which ran down to his beard, and to the collar of his coat, the robe of the ephod, but not to the skirts of his garments, as we wrongly render it, (<19D302>Psalm 133:2). Jarchi says it was first poured on his head, and after that he put it between his eyebrows, and drew it with his finger here and there, or from one eyebrow to another: Maimonides f188 gives a like account, with some addition; he says, the oil was poured on his head, and he was anointed between the eyebrows, in the form of the Greek letter c, “chi”: a greater profusion of oil was used in the anointing of Aaron than of the tabernacle, altar, and laver, and their…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“As investing the priest with official garments was a recognition before men of the official position of the person (see Exodus 28:3 note), so the anointing him with oil was an acknowledgment that all fitness for his office, all the powers with which he would rightly fulfill its duties, must come from the Lord. So, again, with the sanctification of the holy things. Each of them was intended by divine wisdom to convey a spiritual meaning to the mind of man. They were means of grace to the devout worshipper. The oil poured upon them was a recognition of this fact, and at the same time it made them holy and set them apart from all profane and ordinary uses. On kindred grounds, though to express…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“He poured - In a plentiful manner, as appears from Psa 133:2, whereas other persons and things were only sprinkled with it: because his unction was to typify the anointing of Christ with the Spirit, which was not given by measure to him. A measure of the same anointing is given to all believers. Leviticus 8:14”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Lev 4:3, Lev 21:10, Lev 21:11, Lev 21:12; Exo 28:41, Exo 29:7, Exo 30:30; Psa 133:2 Leviticus 8:13”
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Sources and verification