This verse demonstrates the wholehearted dedication required in serving God.
“So Moses slaughtered it and took some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron’s right ear and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot.” (v.23) This verse describes a moment in which Moses, God’s chosen leader for Israel during the mid-15th century BC, consecrates Aaron and sets him apart as high priest. Aaron was Moses’ older brother and the first high priest of the Israelites, living during the era of Israel’s exodus out of Egypt around 1446 BC. The placing of blood on Aaron’s ear, thumb, and toe served as a symbolic dedication of Aaron’s whole being—what he hears, does, and where he goes—to the purposes of God.
By anointing these specific parts of Aaron’s body, Moses demonstrates that Aaron must listen attentively to God’s commands, serve faithfully with his hands, and walk in righteousness. This act of consecration foreshadows the idea of believers giving all aspects of their lives to God, which is later mirrored in the New Testament concept of offering ourselves as a “living and holy sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). It also ties directly to the priestly calling of Jesus in the book of Hebrews, where Christ is portrayed as the ultimate High Priest who fulfills the requirements of holiness on our behalf (Hebrews 7:26-27).
The solemn nature of this blood application emphasizes the gravity and responsibility of approaching God in worship. Blood is a clear symbol of life and sacrifice; in the Old Testament sacrificial system, it indicates atonement and holiness. Aaron’s ordination underlines that the priestly role is a means through which God’s people can draw near to Him, looking forward to the final and perfect atonement completed by Jesus Christ.
Set to dark mode
Leviticus 8:23 meaning
“So Moses slaughtered it and took some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron’s right ear and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot.” (v.23) This verse describes a moment in which Moses, God’s chosen leader for Israel during the mid-15th century BC, consecrates Aaron and sets him apart as high priest. Aaron was Moses’ older brother and the first high priest of the Israelites, living during the era of Israel’s exodus out of Egypt around 1446 BC. The placing of blood on Aaron’s ear, thumb, and toe served as a symbolic dedication of Aaron’s whole being—what he hears, does, and where he goes—to the purposes of God.
By anointing these specific parts of Aaron’s body, Moses demonstrates that Aaron must listen attentively to God’s commands, serve faithfully with his hands, and walk in righteousness. This act of consecration foreshadows the idea of believers giving all aspects of their lives to God, which is later mirrored in the New Testament concept of offering ourselves as a “living and holy sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). It also ties directly to the priestly calling of Jesus in the book of Hebrews, where Christ is portrayed as the ultimate High Priest who fulfills the requirements of holiness on our behalf (Hebrews 7:26-27).
The solemn nature of this blood application emphasizes the gravity and responsibility of approaching God in worship. Blood is a clear symbol of life and sacrifice; in the Old Testament sacrificial system, it indicates atonement and holiness. Aaron’s ordination underlines that the priestly role is a means through which God’s people can draw near to Him, looking forward to the final and perfect atonement completed by Jesus Christ.