Leviticus 8:31

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

לֵאמֹ֔ר said H559
לֵאמֹ֔ר said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 1 of 26
to say (used with great latitude)
מֹשֶׁ֜ה And Moses H4872
מֹשֶׁ֜ה And Moses
Strong's: H4872
Word #: 2 of 26
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 3 of 26
near, with or among; often in general, to
אַֽהֲרֹ֥ן Aaron H175
אַֽהֲרֹ֥ן Aaron
Strong's: H175
Word #: 4 of 26
aharon, the brother of moses
וְאֶל H413
וְאֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 5 of 26
near, with or among; often in general, to
וּבָנָ֖יו and his sons H1121
וּבָנָ֖יו and his sons
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 6 of 26
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בַּשְּׁל֣וּ Boil H1310
בַּשְּׁל֣וּ Boil
Strong's: H1310
Word #: 7 of 26
properly, to boil up; hence, to be done in cooking; figuratively to ripen
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 8 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַבָּשָׂר֮ the flesh H1320
הַבָּשָׂר֮ the flesh
Strong's: H1320
Word #: 9 of 26
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
פֶּ֣תַח at the door H6607
פֶּ֣תַח at the door
Strong's: H6607
Word #: 10 of 26
an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way
אֹ֣הֶל of the tabernacle H168
אֹ֣הֶל of the tabernacle
Strong's: H168
Word #: 11 of 26
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
מוֹעֵד֒ of the congregation H4150
מוֹעֵד֒ of the congregation
Strong's: H4150
Word #: 12 of 26
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
וְשָׁם֙ H8033
וְשָׁם֙
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 13 of 26
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
יֹֽאכְלֻֽהוּ׃ and there eat H398
יֹֽאכְלֻֽהוּ׃ and there eat
Strong's: H398
Word #: 14 of 26
to eat (literally or figuratively)
אֹת֔וֹ H853
אֹת֔וֹ
Strong's: H853
Word #: 15 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶ֨ת H853
וְאֶ֨ת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 16 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַלֶּ֔חֶם it with the bread H3899
הַלֶּ֔חֶם it with the bread
Strong's: H3899
Word #: 17 of 26
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
אֲשֶׁ֖ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 18 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בְּסַ֣ל that is in the basket H5536
בְּסַ֣ל that is in the basket
Strong's: H5536
Word #: 19 of 26
properly, a willow twig (as pendulous), i.e., an osier; but only as woven into a basket
הַמִּלֻּאִ֑ים of consecrations H4394
הַמִּלֻּאִ֑ים of consecrations
Strong's: H4394
Word #: 20 of 26
a fulfilling (only in plural), i.e., (literally) a setting (of gems), or (technically) consecration (also concretely, a dedicatory sacrifice)
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֤ר H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 21 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
צִוֵּ֙יתִי֙ as I commanded H6680
צִוֵּ֙יתִי֙ as I commanded
Strong's: H6680
Word #: 22 of 26
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
לֵאמֹ֔ר said H559
לֵאמֹ֔ר said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 23 of 26
to say (used with great latitude)
אַֽהֲרֹ֥ן Aaron H175
אַֽהֲרֹ֥ן Aaron
Strong's: H175
Word #: 24 of 26
aharon, the brother of moses
וּבָנָ֖יו and his sons H1121
וּבָנָ֖יו and his sons
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 25 of 26
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יֹֽאכְלֻֽהוּ׃ and there eat H398
יֹֽאכְלֻֽהוּ׃ and there eat
Strong's: H398
Word #: 26 of 26
to eat (literally or figuratively)

Analysis & Commentary

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.

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 holiness demanded in Leviticus becomes possible through Christ, who both satisfies God's righteous requirements and transforms believers by His Spirit.

Historical 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.

Questions for Reflection

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