It is like fine oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron's beard over the collar of his robes. It is like fine oil on the headThe imagery of oil in the Bible often symbolizes blessing, consecration, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. In ancient Israel, anointing with oil was a significant ritual, especially for priests and kings, signifying their divine appointment and empowerment. The "fine oil" suggests purity and richness, indicating a special and sacred anointing. This phrase evokes the anointing of priests, particularly Aaron, the first high priest, as described in Exodus 30:22-30, where God commands Moses to anoint Aaron and his sons with a specially prepared holy anointing oil. running down on the beard
The oil running down the beard signifies abundance and overflow, suggesting that the blessings of God are not just sufficient but plentiful. The beard, particularly in ancient Near Eastern culture, was a symbol of maturity and dignity. The image of oil flowing down the beard emphasizes the thoroughness of the anointing, covering the individual completely. This can be seen as a metaphor for the unity and harmony among God's people, as the blessings of God flow from the head (leadership) to the rest of the body (community). running down Aaron’s beard
Aaron, as the first high priest, represents the priesthood and the mediatory role between God and His people. The mention of Aaron specifically ties this anointing to the priestly office, highlighting the sacredness and divine approval of his role. This connection to Aaron also points to the idea of unity among the people of Israel, as the priesthood was central to their worship and communal identity. The anointing of Aaron is a type of Christ, who is our High Priest, anointed by God to mediate a new covenant (Hebrews 4:14-16). over the collar of his robes
The oil flowing over the collar of Aaron's robes signifies the completeness of the anointing, covering him from head to toe. The robes of the high priest were intricately designed and held great significance, as described in Exodus 28. They symbolized holiness, service, and the beauty of God's presence. The oil covering the robes indicates that the anointing affects not just the individual but also their role and function within the community. This can be seen as a foreshadowing of the anointing of believers in Christ, who are called to be a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), living lives that reflect God's holiness and unity. Persons / Places / Events 1. AaronThe brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel. His anointing with oil symbolizes his consecration and the unity of the priesthood. 2. Anointing OilA sacred mixture used in the consecration of priests and sacred objects, symbolizing the Holy Spirit and divine blessing. 3. Beard of AaronRepresents the priesthood and the flow of blessing from God through His appointed leaders. 4. Collar of Aaron's RobesSymbolizes the covering and authority of the priesthood, as well as the spread of blessing and unity. 5. Mount HermonAlthough not directly mentioned in verse 2, it is referenced in verse 3 and symbolizes abundant blessing and unity, as the dew of Hermon is life-giving. Teaching Points Symbol of UnityThe anointing oil represents the unity among God's people, as it flows from the head to the beard and robes, signifying a harmonious community. Divine BlessingJust as the oil was precious and sacred, unity among believers is a divine blessing that should be cherished and protected. Role of LeadershipAaron's anointing underscores the importance of godly leadership in fostering unity and guiding the community in faith. Consecration and HolinessThe anointing oil signifies consecration, reminding believers of their call to holiness and dedication to God's purposes. Spiritual OverflowThe imagery of oil running down suggests that true unity and blessing overflow from a heart aligned with God's will, impacting the broader community. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the anointing of Aaron as described in Psalm 133:2 illustrate the importance of unity among believers today? 2. In what ways can the sacredness of the anointing oil inspire us to pursue holiness and consecration in our daily lives? 3. How can church leaders today emulate Aaron's role in fostering unity and guiding their congregations? 4. Reflect on a time when you experienced the "overflow" of spiritual blessing in your life. How did it impact those around you? 5. How can the unity described in Psalm 133:2 be applied to resolve conflicts within a church or community setting, in light of Ephesians 4:3-6? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 30:22-33Describes the composition and use of the anointing oil, emphasizing its sacredness and the importance of consecration. Leviticus 8:12Details the anointing of Aaron, highlighting the significance of his role as high priest and the unity it brings to the people. John 17:21-23Jesus prays for the unity of believers, reflecting the unity symbolized by the anointing oil in Psalm 133. Ephesians 4:3-6Paul urges believers to maintain the unity of the Spirit, akin to the unity depicted in the anointing of Aaron. People Aaron, David, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Aaron, Aaron's, Beard, Collar, Edge, Face, Flowing, Garment, Garments, Hem, Oil, Ointment, Poured, Precious, Price, Ran, Robe, Robes, Running, Skirt, SkirtsDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 133:2 4488 oil
4490 ointment
5130 beard
5177 robes Library God the Holy Spirit the Love which Dwells in the Heart.
"It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard; that went down to the skirts of his garments." --Psalm cxxxiii. 2. The fact that love can radiate within man does not insure him the possession of true and real Love, unless, according to His eternal counsel, God is pleased to enter into personal fellowship with him. So long as man knows Him only from afar and not near, God is a stranger to him. He may admire His Love, have a faint sense of it, be pleasantly …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy SpiritLet Brotherly Love Continue. --Ps. cxxxiii.
Let Brotherly Love continue.--Ps. cxxxiii. How beautiful the sight Of brethren who agree In friendship to unite, And bonds of charity! 'Tis like the precious ointment, shed O'er all his robes, from Aaron's head. 'Tis like the dews that fill The cups of Hermon's flowers; Or Zion's fruitful hill, Bright with the drops of showers, When mingling odours breathe around, And glory rests on all the ground. For there the Lord commands Blessings, a boundless store, From His unsparing hands-- Yea, life for …
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and Hymns Aron, Brother of Moses, 486, 487.
Abba, same as Father, [3]381; St. Paul uses both words, [4]532. Abel, [5]31, [6]252, [7]268, [8]450. Abimelech, [9]72, [10]197. Abraham, seed of, faithful Christians also, [11]148, [12]149, [13]627; servant's hand under his thigh, [14]149, [15]334; poor in midst of riches, [16]410. Absalom, David's son, [17]4, [18]5; type of Judas the traitor, [19]4, [20]20. Absolution granted by the Church, [21]500. Abyss, or deep, of God's judgments, [22]88; of man's heart, [23]136. Accuser, the devil the great, …
St. Augustine—Exposition on the Book of Psalms Departure from Ireland. Death and Burial at Clairvaux.
[Sidenote: 1148, May (?)] 67. (30). Being asked once, in what place, if a choice were given him, he would prefer to spend his last day--for on this subject the brothers used to ask one another what place each would select for himself--he hesitated, and made no reply. But when they insisted, he said, "If I take my departure hence[821] I shall do so nowhere more gladly than whence I may rise together with our Apostle"[822]--he referred to St. Patrick; "but if it behoves me to make a pilgrimage, and …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers.
St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of the greatest, yet least studied, of the Fathers of the Western Church. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. But there are other reasons for the comparative neglect into which he has fallen. He learnt his theology, as we shall see, from Eastern authorities, and was not content to carry on and develop the traditional teaching of the West; and the disciple …
St. Hilary of Poitiers—The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
Since every revealed purpose of God, implying that obedience to his law will be given, is a demand of that obedience, the announcement of his Covenant, as in his sovereignty decreed, claims, not less effectively than an explicit law, the fulfilment of its duties. A representation of a system of things pre-determined in order that the obligations of the Covenant might be discharged; various exhibitions of the Covenant as ordained; and a description of the children of the Covenant as predestinated …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Conclusion.
"From Heaven He came and sought her To be His Holy Bride, With His own Blood He bought her, And for her life He died." "The Kingdom of Heaven," what is it? It is the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church of Christ. It is that Kingdom which was prophetically set forth by our Lord in His parables; that Kingdom, the subjects of which were described in His teaching, and redeemed by His Blood to be His own "purchased possession" (Eph. i. 14); that Kingdom which was founded through the coming of the Holy …
Edward Burbidge—The Kingdom of Heaven; What is it? Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 133:2 NIVPsalm 133:2 NLTPsalm 133:2 ESVPsalm 133:2 NASBPsalm 133:2 KJV
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