Exodus 29:1
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,
Original Language Analysis
וְזֶ֨ה
H2088
הַדָּבָ֜ר
And this is the thing
H1697
הַדָּבָ֜ר
And this is the thing
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
2 of 17
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶֽׁר
H834
אֲשֶֽׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
3 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה
that thou shalt do
H6213
תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה
that thou shalt do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
4 of 17
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לְקַדֵּ֥שׁ
unto them to hallow
H6942
לְקַדֵּ֥שׁ
unto them to hallow
Strong's:
H6942
Word #:
6 of 17
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
אֹתָ֖ם
H853
אֹתָ֖ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לְכַהֵ֣ן
them to minister unto me in the priest's office
H3547
לְכַהֵ֣ן
them to minister unto me in the priest's office
Strong's:
H3547
Word #:
8 of 17
to officiate as a priest; figuratively, to put on regalia
פַּ֣ר
bullock
H6499
פַּ֣ר
bullock
Strong's:
H6499
Word #:
11 of 17
a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)
בֶּן
young
H1121
בֶּן
young
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
13 of 17
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בָּקָ֛ר
H1241
בָּקָ֛ר
Strong's:
H1241
Word #:
14 of 17
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
וְאֵילִ֥ם
rams
H352
וְאֵילִ֥ם
rams
Strong's:
H352
Word #:
15 of 17
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
Cross References
Hebrews 7:26For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;Exodus 12:5Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:1 Peter 1:19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:Exodus 29:21And thou shalt take of the blood that is upon the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be hallowed, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him.Exodus 28:3And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.Matthew 6:9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.Leviticus 22:20But whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you.Leviticus 6:6And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD, a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest:Leviticus 4:3If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering.Leviticus 16:3Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place: with a young bullock for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering.
Historical Context
The seven-day consecration ceremony (v.35) set apart Aaron and his sons for priestly service. This elaborate ritual demonstrated that approaching God to serve required extensive preparation, multiple sacrifices, and complete devotion—nothing casual or hurried.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the requirement for unblemished animals point to Christ's perfect qualification as our sacrifice?
- Why must sin-atonement (bullock) precede worship-offering (rams) in the consecration process?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The consecration ceremony requires 'one young bullock, and two rams without blemish.' The Hebrew word קָדַשׁ (qadash, consecrate/sanctify) means to set apart as holy. Unblemished animals prefigure Christ the spotless Lamb (1 Peter 1:19). The bullock for sin offering and rams for burnt offerings establish the pattern: sin must be atoned (bullock) before acceptable worship (rams) can be offered. Consecration requires both cleansing from sin and dedication to God.