The LORD describes the sacrifice of the third animal, the second ram. The ram was to be slaughtered and its blood put on the lobe of the right ear of Aaron and his sons, on their right thumbs, and on their right big toes. Blood from the altar and anointing oil were to be sprinkled on their garments as well.
The third sacrifice began by taking the other ram. As with the bull in the first sacrifice and the first ram, Aaron and his sons were required to lay their hands on the head of the ram, allowing them again to identify with the animal, that it was dying instead of them.
After laying their hands on the head of the ram, the priests were to slaughter the ram. Then, they were to take some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron’s right ear and on the lobes of his sons’ right ears. The ears needed to be cleansed to prepare them to hear the word of God.
They were also to put blood on the thumbs of their right hands. The thumbs were used in accomplishing the work of ministering before the LORD and thus needed cleansing. Also the big toes of their right feet. This was done to cleanse their walk before the LORD and also be a visible witness to the people on how to conduct themselves as His people.
Lastly, they needed to sprinkle the rest of the blood around on the altar. Using the same blood on the altar identified Aaron and his sons as the ones that could approach the altar.
Once this was done, then Moses was to take some of the blood that is on the altar and some of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron and on his garments and on his sons and on his sons’ garments with him. This was done so he and his garments shall be consecrated, as well as his sons and his sons’ garments with him. The word translated consecrated is often translated “sanctified.” It means to be set apart for special service. The sprinkling of the altar’s blood on their garments showed their sanctification, and the anointing oil on their garments gave a visible confirmation that they were wholly dedicated and empowered to doing the work of the LORD.
Biblical Text:
19 “Then you shall take the other ram, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the ram. 20 You shall slaughter the ram, and take some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron’s right ear and on the lobes of his sons’ right ears and on the thumbs of their right hands and on the big toes of their right feet, and sprinkle the rest of the blood around on the altar. 21 Then you shall take some of the blood that is on the altar and some of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron and on his garments and on his sons and on his sons’ garments with him; so he and his garments shall be consecrated, as well as his sons and his sons’ garments with him.
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