Leviticus 9:22

“And Aaron lifted up his hand towards the people, and blessed them, etc.] After he had offered the above sacrifices both for himself and them: the manner of the priests lifting up their hands when they blessed is thus described; in the provinces the priests lift up their hands to their shoulders, and in the sanctuary above their heads, excepting the high priest, who did not lift up his hands above the plate of gold: but R. Judah says, the high priest lift up his hands above the plate, as it is said (<030922>Leviticus 9:22) f197 ; the modern Jews describe it thus f198, they lift up their hands to their shoulders, and they lift up the right hand somewhat higher than the left; then they stretch…”

“Aaron lifted up his hand . . . and blessed them--The pronouncing of a benediction on the people assembled in the court was a necessary part of the high priest's duty, and the formula in which it was to be given is described (Num 6:23-27). came down from offering--The altar was elevated above the level of the floor, and the ascent was by a gentle slope (Exo 20:26).”

“Aaron having completed the offerings, before he came down from the stage surrounding the altar on which the priests used to stand to officiate (see Exodus 27:8), turned toward the people, and blessed them; probably using the form which became the established one for the priests Numbers 6:24-26, and which is still maintained in the synagogues. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Aaron lifted up his hands - Which was the usual rite of blessing. By this posture he signified both whence he expected the blessing, and his hearty desire of it for them. And blessed them - In some such manner, as is related, Num 6:24, &c. though not in the same form, for it is not probable that he used it before God delivered it And this blessing was an act of his priestly office, no less than sacrificing. And herein be was a type of Christ, who came into the world to bless us, and when he was parting from his disciples, lifted up his hands and blessed them: yea, and in them his whole church, of which they were the elders and representatives. And came down - From the altar; whence he is…”

“9:22 blessed them: See Num 6:22-27.”

“his hand: or, as the Greek has it, "his hands", Menachem gives reason why it is written hand, to signify the right hand, because that was lifted up higher than the left. The lifting up of the hand was a gesture used in speaking, and signifying any weighty thing, Isa 49:22; and particularly in swearing, Gen 14:22; praying, Psa 28:2; and blessing, either of God, Psa 134:2, or of men, as in this place. Paul, speaking of prayer, uses the phrase, "lifting up holy hands;" as also David: "Let the lifting up of my hands be as the evening sacrifice." Gen 14:18-20; Num 6:23-27; Deu 10:8, Deu 21:5; Kg1 8:55; Ch1 23:13; Ch2 6:3; Psa 72:17; Mar 10:16; Luk 24:50; Act 3:26; Co2 13:14; Heb 7:6, Heb 7:7; Pe1…”

“When the sacrificial ceremony was over, Aaron blessed the people from the altar with uplifted hands (cf. Num 6:22.), and then came down: sc., from the bank surrounding the altar, upon which he had stood while offering the sacrifice (see at Exo 27:4-5). Lev 9:23-24 After this Moses went with him into the tabernacle, to introduce him into the sanctuary, in which he was henceforth to serve the Lord, and to present him to the Lord: not to offer incense, which would undoubtedly have been mentioned; nor yet for the special purpose of praying for the manifestation of the glory of Jehovah, although there can be no doubt that they offered prayer in the sanctuary, and prayed for the blessing of the…”