King James Version

What Does Leviticus 8:30 Mean?

Leviticus 8:30 in the King James Version says “And Moses took of the anointing oil, and of the blood which was upon the altar, and sprinkled it upon Aaron, and upon hi... — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Moses took of the anointing oil, and of the blood which was upon the altar, and sprinkled it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon his sons' garments with him; and sanctified Aaron, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him.

Leviticus 8:30 · KJV


Context

28

And Moses took them from off their hands, and burnt them on the altar upon the burnt offering: they were consecrations for a sweet savour: it is an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

29

And Moses took the breast, and waved it for a wave offering before the LORD: for of the ram of consecration it was Moses' part; as the LORD commanded Moses.

30

And Moses took of the anointing oil, and of the blood which was upon the altar, and sprinkled it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon his sons' garments with him; and sanctified Aaron, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him.

31

And Moses said unto Aaron and to his sons, Boil the flesh at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and there eat it with the bread that is in the basket of consecrations, as I commanded, saying, Aaron and his sons shall eat it.

32

And that which remaineth of the flesh and of the bread shall ye burn with fire.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Moses took of the anointing oil, and of the blood which was upon the altar, and sprinkled it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon his sons' garments with him; and sanctified Aaron, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him.

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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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. The Israelite dietary laws in Leviticus 11 have no exact parallel in surrounding cultures, though some ancient cultures had food taboos, suggesting unique revelation rather than borrowed customs.

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. How does this verse reveal God's character, and how should that revelation shape your relationship with Him?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 31 words
וַיִּקַּ֨ח1 of 31

took

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מֹשֶׁ֜ה2 of 31

And Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

מִשֶּׁ֣מֶן3 of 31

oil

H8081

grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness

הַמִּשְׁחָ֗ה4 of 31

of the anointing

H4888

unction (the act); by implication, a consecratory gift

וּמִן5 of 31
H4480

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

הַדָּם֮6 of 31

and 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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר7 of 31
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עַל8 of 31
H5921

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

הַמִּזְבֵּחַ֒9 of 31

which was upon the altar

H4196

an altar

וַיַּ֤ז10 of 31

and sprinkled

H5137

to spirt, i.e., besprinkle (especially in expiation)

עַֽל11 of 31
H5921

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

אַהֲרֹן֙12 of 31

Aaron

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

עַל13 of 31
H5921

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

בִּגְדֵ֥י14 of 31

and his garments

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

וְעַל15 of 31
H5921

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

בָנָ֖יו16 of 31

and his 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

וְעַל17 of 31
H5921

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

בִּגְדֵ֥י18 of 31

and his garments

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

בָנָ֖יו19 of 31

and his 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

אִתּ֑וֹ20 of 31
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

וַיְקַדֵּ֤שׁ21 of 31

with him and sanctified

H6942

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

אֶֽת22 of 31
H853

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

אַהֲרֹן֙23 of 31

Aaron

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

אֶת24 of 31
H853

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

בִּגְדֵ֥י25 of 31

and his garments

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

וְאֶת26 of 31
H853

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

בָנָ֖יו27 of 31

and his 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

וְאֶת28 of 31
H853

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

בִּגְדֵ֥י29 of 31

and his garments

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

בָנָ֖יו30 of 31

and his 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

אִתּֽוֹ׃31 of 31
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc


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 8:30 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 8:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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