Lev. 8, the Ordination of Aaron and his sons

What God had commanded was now to be done. We see in this chapter that Moses obeys God's instructions regarding the ordination of Aaron and the sacrifices to the smallest detail.

As I was reading this chapter, something caught my eye that, in the years of reading, I had just passed over before. In verse 15 in the NIV is the mention of making atonement for the altar.

Huh? The altar didn't sin! Is this to be cross-referenced with Romans 8:20-21 about the creation being in bondage to decay?

My husband checked the Alexandrian Septuagint (the oldest of them, which dates back to about a hundred years before Christ) and I checked the King James. The Septuagint presents that verse as Moses making atonement UPON the altar, with the clear sense that it was to make the altar fit for the sacrifices of atonement to follow. The King James says Moses santified the altar, to make reconciliation upon it.

The word translated as atonement in the NIV and the LXX (Septuagint) and translated as reconciliation in the King James is 'kaphar' or 'kapar'. It means, literally, to cover. Its use is idiomatically atonement. Or to expiate, placate, condone, or cancel. Also to appease, atone, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, cleanse, purge, or make reconciliation.

If one considers the literal meaning of cover, then the altar was, figuratively, covered with the sacrificial blood by Moses putting blood on the horns of the altar to purify it. In doing so, it was then made fit for the holy uses of being used in the sacrifices for atonement to be made by all the people later.

The meaning could thus be double, but the NIV is misleading here in the way the words are used. Moses did not make atonement FOR the altar, but rather purified it so that atonement could be made upon it.

That is a relatively minor point as the chapter goes -- it's just that it caught my eye this time. When that happens to you, it could be that God is wanting you to dig a little deeper there for some reason. So start digging!

In line with that, here are three links to an excellent series of messages on Leviticus 8. How could this one chapter about Aaron's ordination inspire three full messages? They are fascinating, and I urge you to read them. The author ties in the Levitical priesthood with the priesthood of all Christians and he shows just how much is being communicated to us today in this "boring" book of Leviticus.

It's not boring. Read what he says for yourself. You will be educated and, I hope also inspired and challenged:

http://tcpiii.tripod.com/levitpriest1.htm

http://tcpiii.tripod.com/levitpriest2.htm

http://tcpiii.tripod.com/levitpriest3.htm

 

I'm not ignoring you. We are in a BIG storm, high winds, and power is sporadic, so I'm hoping this will get through while the lights are one. Back when all is settled down again.

 

I am totally clueless as to what the Urim and Thummim were. There have been so many guesses that anyone could say just about anything and have someone who agreed somewhere and had written about it! Even the Mormons have decided they not only know what they are, but they have them!

I'm simply willing to admit ignorance on this one.

Yes, four sons of Aaron, and two were killed by the Lord.

Your other comments are interesting!