Exodus 29:36 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and every day you shall offer a bull as a sin offering for atonement. Also you shall purify the altar, when you make atonement for it, and shall anoint it to consecrate it.

NIV: Sacrifice a bull each day as a sin offering to make atonement. Purify the altar by making atonement for it, and anoint it to consecrate it.

NASB: Each day you shall offer a bull as a sin offering for atonement, and you shall purify the altar when you make atonement for it, and you shall anoint it to consecrate it.

CSB: Sacrifice a bull as a sin offering each day for atonement. Purify the altar when you make atonement for it, and anoint it in order to consecrate it.

NLT: Each day you must sacrifice a young bull as a sin offering to purify them, making them right with the Lord. Afterward, cleanse the altar by purifying it ; make it holy by anointing it with oil.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: And you shall offer a bull every day as a sin offering for atonement. You shall cleanse the altar when you make atonement for it, and you shall anoint it to sanctify it.

Exodus 29:29–46 records the final details for Moses to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests (Exodus 40:13–15; Numbers 3:10). The priests don their holy garments and eat the various breads and meats prepared for this ritual. God also establishes a twice-daily sacrifice of lambs. These practices are meant to remind Israel of their special relationship with the Lord.

God will establish Aaron as the first high priest. Aaron's sons will begin serving in a hereditary priesthood (Exodus 40:13–15; Numbers 3:10). In this passage, the Lord gives Moses detailed instructions about how to consecrate this new priesthood. The ritual involves several sacrificial animals and the application of blood. These physical rituals and objects remind Israel of God's loving works on their behalf.

The last several chapters gave detailed instructions for various components of the tabernacle (Exodus 25—27). Chapter 28 explained the intricate uniform of Israel's high priest. It also sets requirements for garments worn by the rest of the priesthood. In this chapter, God explains how Moses is to consecrate Aaron as the first high priest, and Aaron's sons as the first generation of the general priesthood. Final details about the construction of the holy items will follow (Exodus 30—31).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.