Consecrating God's Servants

What You'll Learn

• The significance of consecration rituals for priests
• How offerings symbolize holiness and atonement
• God’s desire to dwell among His people through sanctification
• The perpetual nature of priestly service and covenant

God’s holiness demands consecration and atonement for those who serve Him.

Bible Translation Note Scripture Verse-by-Verse Study Chapter Synopsis Prayer Personal Application Weekly Actions Chapter Summary

Bible Translation Note: All Scripture on this page is quoted from the King James Version (KJV) and presented in full without alteration.

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,

Exodus 29:2 And unleavened bread, and cakes unleavened tempered with oil, and wafers unleavened anointed with oil: of wheaten flour shalt thou make them.

Exodus 29:3 And thou shalt put them into one basket, and bring them in the basket, with the bullock and the two rams.

Exodus 29:4 And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water.

Exodus 29:5 And thou shalt take the garments, and put upon Aaron the coat, and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breastplate, and gird him with the curious girdle of the ephod:

Exodus 29:6 And thou shalt put the mitre upon his head, and put the holy crown upon the mitre.

Exodus 29:7 Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head, and anoint him.

Exodus 29:8 And thou shalt bring his sons, and put coats upon them.

Exodus 29:9 And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: and the priest’s office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.

Exodus 29:10 And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the bullock.

Exodus 29:11 And thou shalt kill the bullock before the LORD, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Exodus 29:12 And thou shalt take of the blood of the bullock, and put it upon the horns of the altar with thy finger, and pour all the blood beside the bottom of the altar.

Exodus 29:13 And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul that is above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and burn them upon the altar.

Exodus 29:14 But the flesh of the bullock, and his skin, and his dung, shalt thou burn with fire without the camp: it is a sin offering.

Exodus 29:15 Thou shalt also take one ram; and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram.

Exodus 29:16 And thou shalt slay the ram, and thou shalt take his blood, and sprinkle it round about upon the altar.

Exodus 29:17 And thou shalt cut the ram in pieces, and wash the inwards of him, and his legs, and put them unto his pieces, and unto his head.

Exodus 29:18 And thou shalt burn the whole ram upon the altar: it is a burnt offering unto the LORD: it is a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

Exodus 29:19 And thou shalt take the other ram; and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram.

Exodus 29:20 Then shalt thou kill the ram, and take of his blood, and put it upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and upon the tip of the right ear of his sons, and upon the thumb of their right hand, and upon the great toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about.

Exodus 29:21 And 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 29:22 Also thou shalt take of the ram the fat and the rump, and the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and the right shoulder; for it is a ram of consecration:

Exodus 29:23 And one loaf of bread, and one cake of oiled bread, and one wafer out of the basket of the unleavened bread that is before the LORD:

Exodus 29:24 And thou shalt put all in the hands of Aaron, and in the hands of his sons; and shalt wave them for a wave offering before the LORD.

Exodus 29:25 And thou shalt receive them of their hands, and burn them upon the altar for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour before the LORD: it is an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

Exodus 29:26 And thou shalt take the breast of the ram of Aaron’s consecration, and wave it for a wave offering before the LORD: and it shall be thy part.

Exodus 29:27 And thou shalt sanctify the breast of the wave offering, and the shoulder of the heave offering, which is waved, and which is heaved up, of the ram of the consecration, even of that which is for Aaron, and of that which is for his sons:

Exodus 29:28 And it shall be Aaron’s and his sons’ by a statute for ever from the children of Israel: for it is an heave offering: and it shall be an heave offering from the children of Israel of the sacrifice of their peace offerings, even their heave offering unto the LORD.

Exodus 29:29 And the holy garments of Aaron shall be his sons’ after him, to be anointed therein, and to be consecrated in them.

Exodus 29:30 And that son that is priest in his stead shall put them on seven days, when he cometh into the tabernacle of the congregation to minister in the holy place.

Exodus 29:31 And thou shalt take the ram of the consecration, and seethe his flesh in the holy place.

Exodus 29:32 And Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram, and the bread that is in the basket, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Exodus 29:33 And they shall eat those things wherewith the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them: but a stranger shall not eat thereof, because they are holy.

Exodus 29:34 And if ought of the flesh of the consecrations, or of the bread, remain unto the morning, then thou shalt burn the remainder with fire: it shall not be eaten, because it is holy.

Exodus 29:35 And thus shalt thou do unto Aaron, and to his sons, according to all things which I have commanded thee: seven days shalt thou consecrate them.

Exodus 29:36 And thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement: and thou shalt cleanse the altar, when thou hast made an atonement for it, and thou shalt anoint it, to sanctify it.

Exodus 29:37 Seven days thou shalt make an atonement for the altar, and sanctify it; and it shall be an altar most holy: whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy.

Exodus 29:38 Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually.

Exodus 29:39 The one lamb thou shalt offer in the morning; and the other lamb thou shalt offer at even:

Exodus 29:40 And with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil; and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering.

Exodus 29:41 And the other lamb thou shalt offer at even, and shalt do thereto according to the meat offering of the morning, and according to the drink offering thereof, for a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

Exodus 29:42 This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee.

Exodus 29:43 And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory.

Exodus 29:44 And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest’s office.

Exodus 29:45 And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.

Exodus 29:46 And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God.

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,

Study: The selection of a young bullock and two rams without blemish underscores the requirement for purity and perfection in offerings to God. These animals symbolize the need for holiness and the removal of sin in those who minister before the Lord.

Exodus 29:2

And unleavened bread, and cakes unleavened tempered with oil, and wafers unleavened anointed with oil: of wheaten flour shalt thou make them.

Study: The use of unleavened bread and cakes made with oil highlights the importance of purity and the absence of corruption in the offerings. Leaven often represents sin, so unleavened bread signifies a holy and undefiled service.

Exodus 29:3

And thou shalt put them into one basket, and bring them in the basket, with the bullock and the two rams.

Study: Placing the bread and animals together in one basket shows the unity of the offerings and the comprehensive nature of consecration, combining both sustenance and sacrifice as part of worship.

Exodus 29:4

And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water.

Study: Washing Aaron and his sons with water symbolizes cleansing from impurity, preparing them physically and spiritually to enter the holy service. This act reflects the need for purification before approaching God.

Exodus 29:5

And thou shalt take the garments, and put upon Aaron the coat, and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breastplate, and gird him with the curious girdle of the ephod:

Study: Dressing Aaron in the priestly garments signifies the importance of outward symbols representing inward holiness and authority. Each garment, such as the ephod and breastplate, had specific meanings related to the priest’s role and God’s presence.

Exodus 29:6

And thou shalt put the mitre upon his head, and put the holy crown upon the mitre.

Study: The mitre and holy crown placed on Aaron’s head represent the honor and responsibility of the priesthood. It marks him as set apart and dedicated to God’s service, emphasizing the sacredness of his office.

Exodus 29:7

Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head, and anoint him.

Study: Anointing Aaron’s head with oil is a divine act of setting him apart by God’s Spirit. This anointing consecrates him, empowering and sanctifying him for the priestly ministry.

Exodus 29:8

And thou shalt bring his sons, and put coats upon them.

Study: Clothing Aaron’s sons with coats indicates their inclusion in the priestly service and the transmission of responsibility within the family line, establishing a hereditary priesthood.

Exodus 29:9

And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: and the priest’s office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.

Study: Girding Aaron and his sons and putting bonnets on them completes their consecration, marking the priesthood as a perpetual statute. This shows God’s intention for an enduring priestly office to mediate between Him and Israel.

Exodus 29:10

And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the bullock.

Study: Placing hands on the bullock’s head symbolizes identification with the sacrifice, transferring guilt and responsibility. This act foreshadows the substitutionary atonement necessary for approaching God.

Exodus 29:11

And thou shalt kill the bullock before the LORD, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Study: Killing the bullock before the LORD at the tabernacle’s door demonstrates the seriousness of sin and the need for a blood sacrifice to make atonement and consecrate the priests.

Exodus 29:12

And thou shalt take of the blood of the bullock, and put it upon the horns of the altar with thy finger, and pour all the blood beside the bottom of the altar.

Study: Applying the bullock’s blood to the altar’s horns and base consecrates the altar itself, showing that God’s dwelling place must be purified and set apart by blood, symbolizing life given for holiness.

Exodus 29:13

And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul that is above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and burn them upon the altar.

Study: Burning the fat and specific organs on the altar signifies offering the best and most vital parts to God, expressing devotion and the completeness of the sacrifice.

Exodus 29:14

But the flesh of the bullock, and his skin, and his dung, shalt thou burn with fire without the camp: it is a sin offering.

Study: Burning the bullock’s flesh, skin, and dung outside the camp as a sin offering shows the removal of impurity from the community, illustrating God’s holiness and the need to separate sin from His presence.

Exodus 29:15

Thou shalt also take one ram; and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram.

Study: Aaron and his sons placing hands on the ram’s head again represents identification with the offering, reinforcing the principle of substitution and the transfer of guilt or dedication.

Exodus 29:16

And thou shalt slay the ram, and thou shalt take his blood, and sprinkle it round about upon the altar.

Study: Slaying the ram and sprinkling its blood around the altar further sanctifies the altar and the priests’ service, emphasizing the necessity of blood for purification and acceptance by God.

Exodus 29:17

And thou shalt cut the ram in pieces, and wash the inwards of him, and his legs, and put them unto his pieces, and unto his head.

Study: Cutting and washing the ram’s parts before burning them ensures the offering is clean and acceptable, symbolizing holiness and the care required in worship.

Exodus 29:18

And thou shalt burn the whole ram upon the altar: it is a burnt offering unto the LORD: it is a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

Study: Burning the whole ram as a burnt offering signifies total surrender to God, producing a sweet savor that pleases Him and demonstrates complete dedication.

Exodus 29:19

And thou shalt take the other ram; and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram.

Study: The second ram’s consecration continues the process of sanctifying the priests, showing the thoroughness of God’s preparation for those who serve Him.

Exodus 29:20

Then shalt thou kill the ram, and take of his blood, and put it upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and upon the tip of the right ear of his sons, and upon the thumb of their right hand, and upon the great toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about.

Study: Applying the ram’s blood to Aaron’s and his sons’ right ear, thumb, and great toe symbolizes sanctifying their hearing, actions, and walk. This marks their entire being as set apart for God’s service.

Exodus 29:21

And 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.

Study: Sprinkling blood and anointing oil on Aaron, his sons, and their garments consecrates both the priests and their clothing, highlighting the holiness required in both person and appearance.

Exodus 29:22

Also thou shalt take of the ram the fat and the rump, and the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and the right shoulder; for it is a ram of consecration:

Study: Taking specific fat and the right shoulder from the ram of consecration designates portions for the priests, symbolizing their share in the offerings and God’s provision for their sustenance.

Exodus 29:23

And one loaf of bread, and one cake of oiled bread, and one wafer out of the basket of the unleavened bread that is before the LORD:

Study: Including bread and cakes from the basket in the consecration offering connects physical nourishment with spiritual dedication, showing the holistic nature of worship.

Exodus 29:24

And thou shalt put all in the hands of Aaron, and in the hands of his sons; and shalt wave them for a wave offering before the LORD.

Study: Waving the offerings before the LORD as a wave offering signifies presenting them fully to God, acknowledging His ownership and blessing upon the priests.

Exodus 29:25

And thou shalt receive them of their hands, and burn them upon the altar for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour before the LORD: it is an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

Study: Burning the waved offerings as a sweet savor to the LORD demonstrates that true worship involves giving back to God what He has provided, pleasing Him through obedience.

Exodus 29:26

And thou shalt take the breast of the ram of Aaron’s consecration, and wave it for a wave offering before the LORD: and it shall be thy part.

Study: The breast of the ram waved before the LORD becomes the priest’s portion, symbolizing God’s provision and the priest’s role in mediating blessings to the people.

Exodus 29:27

And thou shalt sanctify the breast of the wave offering, and the shoulder of the heave offering, which is waved, and which is heaved up, of the ram of the consecration, even of that which is for Aaron, and of that which is for his sons:

Study: Sanctifying the breast and shoulder of the wave and heave offerings establishes a perpetual statute, showing God’s ongoing provision and the priestly right to these portions.

Exodus 29:28

And it shall be Aaron’s and his sons’ by a statute for ever from the children of Israel: for it is an heave offering: and it shall be an heave offering from the children of Israel of the sacrifice of their peace offerings, even their heave offering unto the LORD.

Study: The statute that these portions belong to Aaron and his sons forever emphasizes the covenantal nature of the priesthood and God’s faithfulness in providing for His servants.

Exodus 29:29

And the holy garments of Aaron shall be his sons’ after him, to be anointed therein, and to be consecrated in them.

Study: The holy garments passing to Aaron’s sons signifies the continuity of consecration and the sacred responsibility handed down through generations.

Exodus 29:30

And that son that is priest in his stead shall put them on seven days, when he cometh into the tabernacle of the congregation to minister in the holy place.

Study: The requirement for the priest to wear the holy garments for seven days during ministry highlights the importance of sustained holiness and dedication in serving God.

Exodus 29:31

And thou shalt take the ram of the consecration, and seethe his flesh in the holy place.

Study: Boiling the ram’s flesh in the holy place prepares the priests to partake of the consecration meal, symbolizing fellowship with God and the community.

Exodus 29:32

And Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram, and the bread that is in the basket, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Study: Aaron and his sons eating the ram’s flesh and bread by the tabernacle door shows their participation in the consecration, marking them as set apart and nourished for service.

Exodus 29:33

And they shall eat those things wherewith the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them: but a stranger shall not eat thereof, because they are holy.

Study: Restricting the eating of consecration food to priests alone underscores the holiness of the offering and the separation between the sacred and the common.

Exodus 29:34

And if ought of the flesh of the consecrations, or of the bread, remain unto the morning, then thou shalt burn the remainder with fire: it shall not be eaten, because it is holy.

Study: Burning any leftover consecration food by morning prevents profaning what is holy, teaching reverence and respect for God’s sanctified gifts.

Exodus 29:35

And thus shalt thou do unto Aaron, and to his sons, according to all things which I have commanded thee: seven days shalt thou consecrate them.

Study: The seven-day consecration period reflects the completeness of God’s preparation for the priests, emphasizing patience and thoroughness in entering His service.

Exodus 29:36

And thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement: and thou shalt cleanse the altar, when thou hast made an atonement for it, and thou shalt anoint it, to sanctify it.

Study: Offering a daily bullock for sin offering to atone and cleanse the altar shows God’s demand for ongoing purification and the seriousness of maintaining holiness in worship.

Exodus 29:37

Seven days thou shalt make an atonement for the altar, and sanctify it; and it shall be an altar most holy: whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy.

Study: Sanctifying the altar over seven days to make it most holy teaches that God’s dwelling place must be set apart completely, and everything touching it becomes holy by association.

Exodus 29:38

Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually.

Study: The continual daily offering of two lambs reflects God’s provision for constant worship and atonement, maintaining fellowship between God and His people.

Exodus 29:39

The one lamb thou shalt offer in the morning; and the other lamb thou shalt offer at even:

Study: Offering one lamb in the morning and one in the evening establishes a rhythm of devotion, reminding believers to seek God continually throughout the day.

Exodus 29:40

And with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil; and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering.

Study: The accompanying flour, oil, and wine offerings demonstrate the completeness of worship, involving grain, oil, and drink offerings that please the LORD as a sweet savor.

Exodus 29:41

And the other lamb thou shalt offer at even, and shalt do thereto according to the meat offering of the morning, and according to the drink offering thereof, for a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

Study: Repeating the same offerings at evening as in the morning shows God’s desire for consistent, heartfelt worship that honors Him daily.

Exodus 29:42

This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee.

Study: The continual burnt offering throughout generations signifies God’s unchanging requirement for atonement and fellowship, promising His presence where His people worship.

Exodus 29:43

And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory.

Study: God’s promise to meet with Israel and sanctify the tabernacle by His glory reveals His desire to dwell among His people and make His presence known through holiness.

Exodus 29:44

And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest’s office.

Study: Sanctifying the tabernacle, altar, Aaron, and his sons highlights God’s comprehensive work of setting apart both place and people for His service.

Exodus 29:45

And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.

Study: God’s declaration that He will dwell among Israel affirms His covenant relationship and the blessing of His presence when His people are consecrated and obedient.

Exodus 29:46

And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God.

Study: Knowing the LORD as their God who brought them out of Egypt reminds Israel of God’s saving power and His purpose to dwell with them, reinforcing His identity and faithfulness.

Exodus 29 details the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests, emphasizing the holiness required to serve God. Through specific offerings, anointing, and rituals, God sets apart His servants and the altar for sacred ministry. The chapter reveals God's desire to dwell among His people and maintain a holy covenant relationship, requiring continual atonement and worship.

Lord God, thank You for Your holiness and the way You set apart those who serve You. Help me to understand the seriousness of approaching You with purity and reverence. Consecrate my heart and life for Your service, and teach me to worship You with a sincere and holy spirit. May I always remember Your presence with Your people and live in a way that honors Your covenant. Amen.

• Pray daily for God to consecrate your heart and life for His service.
• Read Exodus 29 slowly, meditating on the significance of each offering and ritual.
• Journal about areas in your life that need spiritual cleansing and ask God for help.
• Discuss with your family or small group the meaning of holiness and how to live it out practically.
• Memorize Exodus 29:46 to remind yourself of God’s presence and faithfulness.
• Set aside consistent times for worship and prayer morning and evening this week.
• Reflect on Christ’s sacrifice as the ultimate fulfillment of the sacrifices described in this chapter.

Exodus 29 teaches the importance of holiness, consecration, and atonement in serving God. Through detailed rituals, God sets apart Aaron and his sons as priests, establishing a covenant relationship marked by purity and continual worship. This chapter calls believers to recognize the seriousness of approaching God and to live lives dedicated to His service, empowered by His presence and grace.

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