King James Version

What Does Leviticus 8:24 Mean?

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.

Leviticus 8:24 · KJV


Context

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.

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:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse falls within the section on Consecration of Aaron and Sons. The ordination ceremony established the Aaronic priesthood, involving washing, anointing, and sacrifice—prefiguring Christ's priesthood.

The Aaronic priesthood mediated between God and Israel, offering sacrifices and maintaining the tabernacle. This prefigured Christ's superior priesthood after the order of Melchizedek. The five main offerings (burnt, grain, peace, sin, and guilt) addressed different aspects of relationship with God, all fulfilled in Christ's comprehensive sacrifice. Leviticus 17:11 declares 'the life of the flesh is in the blood,' establishing blood's sacred role in atonement, pointing to Christ's blood shed for redemption.
What Leviticus portrayed through types and shadows, Christ fulfilled in reality through His incarnation, perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The ordination ceremony established the Aaronic priesthood, involving washing, anointing, and sacrifice—prefiguring Christ's priesthood. Chapters 8-10 describe the priesthood's consecration and early ministry. Aaron and his sons received special anointing for their mediatorial role between God and Israel. The tragic account of Nadab and Abihu (ch. 10) demonstrates that approaching God requires reverence and obedience. Ancient Near Eastern cultures had various sacrificial systems, but Israel's sacrificial worship was unique in its ethical foundation, monotheistic framework, and emphasis on atonement rather than appeasement. Unlike pagan rituals focused on manipulating deities, Israel's sacrifices acknowledged God's sovereignty and sought reconciliation based on His gracious provision. Ancient texts like the Code of Hammurabi show that law codes were common in the ancient Near East, but biblical law uniquely grounded ethics in God's character rather than merely social convention.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's superior priesthood, prefigured in this verse, assure you of access to God and effective intercession?
  2. What does this verse teach about the costliness of true worship and dedication to God?
  3. In what practical ways should this verse influence your church life, family relationships, or personal integrity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיַּקְרֵ֞ב1 of 27

And he brought

H7126

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

אֶת2 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּנֵ֣י3 of 27

sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אַֽהֲרֹ֗ן4 of 27

Aaron's

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

וַיִּתֵּ֨ן5 of 27

put

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

מֹשֶׁ֧ה6 of 27

and Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

מִן7 of 27
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַדָּ֛ם8 of 27

of the blood

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

עַל9 of 27
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

תְּנ֤וּךְ10 of 27

upon the tip

H8571

a pinnacle, i.e., extremity

אָזְנָם֙11 of 27

ear

H241

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

הַיְמָנִ֑ית12 of 27

of their right

H3233

right (i.e., at the right hand)

וְעַל13 of 27
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בֹּ֥הֶן14 of 27

and upon the great toes

H931

the thumb of the hand or great toe of the foot

יָדָם֙15 of 27

hands

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

הַיְמָנִ֑ית16 of 27

of their right

H3233

right (i.e., at the right hand)

וְעַל17 of 27
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בֹּ֥הֶן18 of 27

and upon the great toes

H931

the thumb of the hand or great toe of the foot

רַגְלָ֖ם19 of 27

feet

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

הַיְמָנִ֑ית20 of 27

of their right

H3233

right (i.e., at the right hand)

וַיִּזְרֹ֨ק21 of 27

sprinkled

H2236

to sprinkle (fluid or solid particles)

מֹשֶׁ֧ה22 of 27

and Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אֶת23 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַדָּ֛ם24 of 27

of the blood

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

עַל25 of 27
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ26 of 27

upon the altar

H4196

an altar

סָבִֽיב׃27 of 27

round about

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Leviticus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Leviticus 8:24 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Leviticus 8:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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