Exodus Chapter 29 Bible Study: Consecration of the Priests and Daily Offerings in God’s Covenant
Exodus Chapter 29 is a key part of the Bible where God gives Moses detailed instructions about setting apart Aaron and his sons as priests and starting daily offerings at the tabernacle. This happens at Mount Sinai as God makes a special agreement with the Israelites. The chapter shows how God wants His people to be holy, how sin must be dealt with, and how He plans to stay close to them. It’s full of important events and deep meanings that connect to bigger ideas in the Bible, like Jesus and how we live for God today.
The Consecration of the Priests
Exodus 29 starts with God telling Moses how to make Aaron and his sons ready to serve as priests. This process, called consecration, takes up verses 1 to 37. It’s a big deal because priests are the ones who help the people connect with God. Let’s look at what happens step by step.
Washing and Dressing the Priests
God tells Moses to bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting, which is the tabernacle. There, Moses must wash them with water (Exodus 29:4). After that, he puts special clothes on them. Aaron, the high priest, gets fancy garments like a tunic, a robe, an ephod, a breastpiece with precious stones, and a turban with a gold plate that says “Holy to the Lord.” His sons get simpler clothes—tunics, sashes, and caps (Exodus 29:5-9).
The washing shows that they need to be clean from sin before serving God. Water in the Bible often means cleaning, and this step makes sure the priests are pure. The special clothes show their important job. Aaron’s outfit is extra detailed because he’s the leader, the high priest. These garments make them stand out as God’s chosen workers.
This matters because it shows God is holy and expects His servants to be holy too. The washing points to how we all need to be cleaned from sin. In the New Testament, Jesus cleans us with His blood (Revelation 1:5), kind of like how the priests were washed with water. The clothes remind us that God gives us a new identity when we follow Him, like a uniform for His team (Isaiah 61:10).
A practical lesson here is that we should live clean lives for God. Even though we don’t wear priestly robes, we can act in ways that show we belong to Him—like being honest, kind, and faithful.
Anointing with Oil
Next, Moses takes special oil and pours it on Aaron’s head to anoint him (Exodus 29:7). This isn’t just any oil—it’s a holy mix made earlier (Exodus 30:22-25). The sons don’t get this step mentioned here, but Aaron does because he’s the high priest.
Anointing with oil means God’s Spirit is on someone to help them do their job. In the Old Testament, kings and prophets got anointed too (1 Samuel 16:13). For Aaron, it shows God is giving him power and blessing to lead the priests. The oil sets him apart for this big responsibility.
This points to Jesus, who is our High Priest forever. When Jesus started His work, the Holy Spirit came on Him like a dove (Luke 3:22), showing He was anointed by God. For us, the Holy Spirit comes into our lives when we trust Jesus (Acts 2:38), helping us serve God.
The lesson is that we need God’s help to do what He asks. We can’t live for Him on our own—we need His Spirit, just like Aaron needed the oil.
The Sacrifices for Consecration
The consecration isn’t done yet. God tells Moses to offer three sacrifices to finish making the priests ready. Each one has a special purpose.
The Sin Offering
First, Moses takes a young bull for a sin offering (Exodus 29:10-14). Aaron and his sons put their hands on the bull’s head, showing their sins are being put on it. Then Moses kills it, takes some blood, and puts it on the altar’s horns. The rest of the blood goes at the altar’s base. The bull’s meat, skin, and waste get burned outside the camp.
This sacrifice is about fixing sin. The blood on the altar makes it holy, and burning the body outside shows sin being taken away. The priests can’t serve God if their sins aren’t dealt with first.
This shows how serious sin is to God. It separates us from Him, and something has to die to make it right (Leviticus 17:11). The bull’s death looks ahead to Jesus dying for our sins (Hebrews 9:13-14). He took our sins “outside the camp” on the cross (Hebrews 13:11-12).
A practical lesson is that we need forgiveness. We can’t hide our sins—they need to be confessed and covered by Jesus’ sacrifice.
The Burnt Offering
Then Moses takes a ram for a burnt offering (Exodus 29:15-18). Aaron and his sons put their hands on it, Moses kills it, and the whole ram gets burned on the altar. The smoke goes up to God as a “pleasing aroma.”
This offering is about giving everything to God. Unlike the sin offering, nothing is left—it all burns up. It shows the priests are fully committed to serving God, holding nothing back.
This connects to how we should live. Romans 12:1 says we should offer ourselves as “living sacrifices” to God. The burnt offering teaches us to give our whole lives—our time, talents, and hearts—to Him.
The practical takeaway is to check if we’re all in for God. Are we keeping parts of our lives for ourselves, or are we giving Him everything?
The Ordination Offering
The last sacrifice is another ram, called the “ram of ordination” (Exodus 29:19-28). Aaron and his sons put their hands on it, and Moses kills it. He takes some blood and puts it on their right ear, right thumb, and right big toe. Then he sprinkles blood and oil on them and their clothes. Parts of the ram—like the fat, kidneys, and right thigh—get burned on the altar with bread, cakes, and wafers from a basket. The rest of the meat gets cooked, and the priests eat it with the bread.
This step finishes making them priests. The blood on the ear, thumb, and toe means they’re set apart in what they hear (God’s word), do (their work), and where they go (their walk). Eating the meat and bread is like a special meal with God, showing they’re accepted.
The blood and oil together mean cleansing and power—clean from sin and ready to serve. This points to Jesus again, who cleans us and sends the Spirit to help us (1 John 1:7; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22).
A lesson here is that God wants all of us—our listening, our actions, our steps. We can ask: Are my ears open to God? Are my hands doing His work? Are my feet walking His path?
Finishing the Consecration
To wrap up, Moses sprinkles more blood and oil on Aaron, his sons, and their clothes (Exodus 29:21). They stay at the tabernacle entrance for seven days, repeating some sacrifices each day (Exodus 29:35-37). This makes the altar holy too.
The seven days show this is a complete process—seven means fullness in the Bible. Everything—the priests, their clothes, the altar—gets set apart for God.
This teaches us that getting close to God takes time and effort. For us, it’s not seven days of rituals, but a lifetime of growing closer to Him (Philippians 1:6).
The Daily Offerings
After the priests are ready, God gives rules for daily sacrifices in verses 38 to 46. These keep the relationship between God and the people strong every day.
The Morning and Evening Sacrifices
God says to offer two lambs every day—one in the morning and one at twilight (Exodus 29:38-41). Each lamb comes with flour mixed with oil (a grain offering) and wine (a drink offering). These go on the altar outside the tabernacle.
The lambs are a constant sign of worship and atonement. Morning and evening offerings mean God is always on their minds. The grain and wine add to the gift, showing thanks and dependence on God.
This rhythm matters because it keeps the people connected to God. Sin doesn’t stop, so atonement can’t either. For us, it’s like praying every day—starting and ending with God (Psalm 55:17).
A practical lesson is to make time for God daily. We don’t offer lambs, but we can offer our praise, thanks, and requests regularly.
God’s Promise to Be With His People
God ends the chapter with a promise (Exodus 29:42-46). He says He’ll meet the Israelites at the tabernacle, make it holy with His glory, and live among them. He reminds them He’s the Lord who freed them from Egypt to be their God.
This is the whole point—God wants to be close. The priests, sacrifices, and tabernacle make it possible despite sin. It’s a taste of what’s to come with Jesus, who lived among us (John 1:14), and the Spirit, who lives in us (1 Corinthians 6:19).
The lesson here is that God’s presence is the best part of following Him. We can enjoy it now through Jesus, who opened the way (Hebrews 10:19-20).
Theological Themes in Exodus 29
Exodus 29 isn’t just about old rules—it’s packed with big ideas about God and His plan. Here are some key themes.
Holiness
Everything in this chapter screams holiness. The washing, clothes, oil, sacrifices—all make the priests and tabernacle fit for a holy God. He’s perfect and can’t be near sin, so they have to be clean and set apart.
This shows us God’s nature. He’s holy, and He wants us to be holy too (Leviticus 19:2). Jesus makes us holy by His blood (Hebrews 10:10), but we also live it out by choosing His ways.
Atonement
The sacrifices—especially the sin offering—show that sin needs a fix. Blood covers it, making peace with God (Leviticus 17:11). The priests can’t serve, and the people can’t approach, without atonement.
This points straight to Jesus. He’s the Lamb who died for our sins (John 1:29), finishing what these sacrifices started (Hebrews 9:26). We’re forgiven because of Him.
Mediation
Priests stand between God and people. They offer sacrifices and pray for the nation. Humans can’t reach God on their own—someone has to help.
Jesus is the perfect mediator (1 Timothy 2:5). He’s our High Priest who offered Himself (Hebrews 7:27). Now, we can talk to God through Him anytime.
Worship
The daily offerings and consecration are all about worship. God wants His people to honor Him constantly, not just sometimes.
Worship is still our call. We do it with our lives, not just songs or church (Romans 12:1). Exodus 29 shows worship is a lifestyle.
Practical Lessons from Exodus 29
These old rituals have real-life meaning for us today. Here’s how we can apply them.
Be Set Apart for God
The priests were consecrated—set apart. We’re not priests like them, but we’re a “holy priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). Live differently—love, forgive, and obey God in a world that doesn’t.
Trust Jesus for Forgiveness
The sacrifices show sin’s cost. Jesus paid it all (Colossians 1:13-14). Don’t carry guilt—trust His cross and live free.
Stay Close to God Every Day
Daily offerings mean daily connection. Pray, read the Bible, worship—keep God first every morning and night.
Enjoy God’s Presence
God’s promise to dwell with them is ours too. Jesus said, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). Live knowing He’s near—talk to Him, lean on Him.
Cross-References to Other Bible Passages
Exodus 29 connects to other parts of the Bible, showing God’s big story.
Old Testament Links
- Leviticus 8: This tells how Moses followed Exodus 29’s rules to consecrate Aaron. It’s obedience in action.
- Psalm 51:7: David asks God to clean him, like the priests were washed—a cry for purity.
- Exodus 19:6: God calls Israel a “kingdom of priests,” setting the stage for Aaron’s role.
New Testament Ties
- Hebrews 4:14-15: Jesus is our High Priest who understands us, better than Aaron ever could.
- John 17:19: Jesus consecrates Himself for us, fulfilling the priests’ role.
- Revelation 5:10: We’re made priests to God through Jesus, echoing Exodus 29’s purpose.
Exodus 29 is a window into God’s heart—His holiness, His mercy, His desire to be with us. It’s old, but it’s alive with lessons and truths that lead us to Jesus and a life with God.