Leviticus 9:1-6 - Exposition

On the eighth day. The seven days of consecration being now over, Aaron for the first time offers a sin offering and burnt offering for himself, and a sin offering, a burnt offering, a peace offering, and a meat offering for the congregation. He is still instructed by Moses as to what he is to do, but it is through him that the command is given to the people to present their offerings, and it is he that slays the victims and offers their blood. His own sin offering is a young calf , or young bull calf, whereas the sin offering commanded for the high priest on ordinary occasions was a young bull, further advanced in age ( Leviticus 4:3 ); and in presenting the blood he does not take it into the sanctuary according to the regulations in Leviticus 4:6 , but uses it as Moses had done in the sin offerings of the previous week, the purpose of the difference being to show that Aaron's full dignity had not yet devolved upon him. This did not take place until he had gone into the tabernacle with Moses ( Leviticus 4:23 ). A ram is again taken for the burnt offering, as had been the case in Moses' sacrifice of the previous week. The children of Israel now present a kid, the offering generally made by a prince, that for the congregation being a young bull. In the words for today the Lord will appear unto you , Moses promises the Divine appearance afterwards vouchsafed ( Leviticus 4:23 ).