Exodus 29:36
Sacrifice a bull as a sin offering each day for atonement. Purify the altar by making atonement for it, and anoint it to consecrate it.
Sacrifice a bull each day
The Hebrew word for "sacrifice" is "זָבַח" (zabach), which means to slaughter for a sacred purpose. The bull, a symbol of strength and service, was chosen for its value and significance in ancient agrarian society. The daily sacrifice underscores the continual need for atonement and dedication to God. This practice foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who offered Himself once for all (Hebrews 10:10).

as a sin offering
The term "sin offering" comes from the Hebrew "חַטָּאת" (chatta'ath), which refers to an offering made to atone for sin. This offering was essential for maintaining the holiness required to approach God. It highlights the gravity of sin and the necessity of bloodshed for atonement, pointing to the sacrificial system fulfilled in Jesus' atoning death.

to make atonement
The Hebrew word "כָּפַר" (kaphar) means to cover or to make reconciliation. Atonement involves covering sin to restore the relationship between God and His people. This concept is central to the Old Testament sacrificial system and finds its ultimate expression in the New Testament through Christ's atoning work on the cross.

Purify the altar
The altar, a sacred place for offerings, required purification to be fit for divine service. The Hebrew "חִטֵּא" (chitte) means to cleanse or purify. This act symbolizes the need for holiness in all that is dedicated to God, reminding believers of the call to purity in worship and service.

by making atonement for it
The altar itself, though an inanimate object, required atonement, signifying the pervasive nature of sin and the need for cleansing even in the instruments of worship. This act emphasizes the holiness of God and the thoroughness required in approaching Him.

and anoint it
Anointing, from the Hebrew "מָשַׁח" (mashach), involves applying oil as a symbol of consecration and the Holy Spirit's presence. Anointing the altar set it apart for God's purposes, illustrating the principle that all aspects of worship must be sanctified and dedicated to Him.

to consecrate it
The Hebrew "קָדַשׁ" (qadash) means to set apart as holy. Consecration involves dedicating something entirely to God, signifying its exclusive use for His glory. This act of consecration reflects the believer's call to live a life set apart for God, wholly devoted to His service and purposes.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who received the instructions from God on Mount Sinai regarding the consecration of the priests and the altar.

2. Aaron and His Sons
The first priests of Israel, who were to be consecrated through the rituals described in Exodus 29.

3. The Altar
The place of sacrifice, which needed to be purified and consecrated for the offerings to be acceptable to God.

4. Sin Offering
A sacrificial offering made to atone for sin, symbolizing purification and reconciliation with God.

5. Consecration Ceremony
A seven-day ritual involving sacrifices and anointing to set apart Aaron and his sons for priestly service.
Teaching Points
The Necessity of Atonement
The daily sacrifice of a bull underscores the seriousness of sin and the need for atonement. It reminds us of the continuous need for purification and reconciliation with God.

The Holiness of God
The requirement to purify and consecrate the altar highlights God's holiness and the need for His people to approach Him with reverence and purity.

Symbolism of Sacrifice
The sin offering prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who provides complete atonement for sin. This points us to the sufficiency of Christ's work on the cross.

Consecration for Service
Just as Aaron and his sons were set apart for priestly service, believers today are called to be consecrated for God's purposes, living lives that reflect His holiness.

Daily Commitment
The daily nature of the sacrifice serves as a reminder of our need for daily commitment to God, seeking His forgiveness and striving to live in obedience to His will.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the daily sacrifice of a bull as a sin offering in Exodus 29:36 reflect the seriousness of sin and the need for atonement in our lives today?

2. In what ways does the consecration of the altar in Exodus 29:36 parallel the call for believers to live holy and consecrated lives?

3. How does the concept of atonement in the Old Testament sacrificial system find its fulfillment in the New Testament, particularly in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ?

4. What practical steps can we take to ensure that our lives are consecrated and set apart for God's service, similar to the consecration of Aaron and his sons?

5. How can the daily nature of the sin offering in Exodus 29:36 inspire us to maintain a consistent and daily walk with God, seeking His guidance and forgiveness?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 8
Describes the fulfillment of the consecration ceremony, providing further details on the rituals and their significance.

Hebrews 9
Discusses the limitations of the Old Testament sacrifices and the ultimate fulfillment in Christ's sacrifice, highlighting the temporary nature of the sin offerings.

1 John 1:7
Emphasizes the cleansing power of Jesus' blood, drawing a parallel to the purification rituals of the Old Testament.
The Consecration of PriestsSpurgeon, Charles HaddonExodus 29:1-37
People
Aaron, Ephah, Israelites, Moses
Places
Egypt, Mount Sinai
Topics
Altar, Anoint, Anointed, Atoned, Atonement, Atonements, Beside, Bull, Bullock, Clean, Cleanse, Consecrate, Daily, Hallow, Hast, Holy, Makest, Making, Offer, Offered, Offering, Offerings, Oil, Ox, Prepare, Purification, Purify, Sanctify, Sin, Sin-offering, Sins
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 29:36

     4615   bull
     6606   access to God
     7416   purification

Exodus 29:29-46

     7745   ordination

Exodus 29:35-37

     8272   holiness, growth in

Exodus 29:36-37

     8218   consecration
     8270   holiness, set apart

Library
The Copies of Things in the Heavens
'And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2. On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. 3. And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail. 4. And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof. 5. And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Eighth Day. Holiness and Indwelling.
And let them make me a holy place, that I may dwell among them.'--Ex. xxv. 8. 'And the tent shall be sanctified by my glory, and I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.'--Ex. xxix. 43, 45. The Presence of God makes holy, even when it descends but for a little while, as at Horeb, in the burning bush. How much more must that Presence make holy the place where it dwells, where it fixes its permanent abode! So much is this the case, that the place where God dwells
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

Thirtieth Day. The Unction from the Holy One.
And ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and ye know all things. And as for you, the anointing which ye received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any one teach you; but as His anointing teacheth you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, ye abide in Him.'--1 John ii. 20, 27. In the revelation by Moses of God's Holiness and His way of making holy, the priests, and specially the high priests, were the chief expression of God's Holiness in man.
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

Sixth Day. Holiness and Glory.
Who is like unto Thee, O Lord! among the gods? Who is like unto Thee, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders? Thou in Thy mercy hast led Thy people which Thou hast redeemed: Thou hast guided them in Thy strength to the habitation of Thy holiness ... The holy place, O Lord, which Thy hands have established.' --Ex. xv. 11-17. In these words we have another step in advance in the revelation of Holiness. We have here for the first time Holiness predicated of God Himself. He
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

That the Ruler Should be Always Chief in Action.
The ruler should always be chief in action, that by his living he may point out the way of life to those that are put under him, and that the flock, which follows the voice and manners of the shepherd, may learn how to walk better through example than through words. For he who is required by the necessity of his position to speak the highest things is compelled by the same necessity to exhibit the highest things. For that voice more readily penetrates the hearer's heart, which the speaker's life
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Twenty-Fourth Day. Holiness and Cleansing.
Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.'--2 Cor. vii. 1. That holiness is more than cleansing, and must be preceded by it, is taught us in more than one passage of the New Testament. 'Christ loved the Church, and gave Himself up for it, that He might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word.' 'If a man cleanse himself from these, he shall be a vessel
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

Thirtieth Lesson. An Holy Priesthood;'
An holy priesthood;' Or, The Ministry of Intercession. An holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.'--I Peter ii. 5. Ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord.'--Isaiah lxi. 6. THE Spirit of the Lord God is upon me: because the Lord hath anointed me.' These are the words of Jesus in Isaiah. As the fruit of His work all redeemed ones are priests, fellow-partakers with Him of His anointing with the Spirit as High Priest. Like the precious ointment upon
Andrew Murray—With Christ in the School of Prayer

Man's Inability to Keep the Moral Law
Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God? No mere man, since the fall, is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but does daily break them, in thought, word, and deed. In many things we offend all.' James 3: 2. Man in his primitive state of innocence, was endowed with ability to keep the whole moral law. He had rectitude of mind, sanctity of will, and perfection of power. He had the copy of God's law written on his heart; no sooner did God command but he obeyed.
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

John's First Testimony to Jesus.
(Bethany Beyond Jordan, February, a.d. 27.) ^D John I. 19-34. ^d 19 And this is the witness of John [John had been sent to testify, "and" this is the matter of his testimony], when the Jews [The term "Jews" is used seventy times by John to describe the ruling classes of Judæa] sent unto him [In thus sending an embassy they honored John more than they ever honored Christ. They looked upon John as a priest and Judæan, but upon Jesus as a carpenter and Galilæan. It is probable that
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Covenant of Works
Q-12: I proceed to the next question, WHAT SPECIAL ACT OF PROVIDENCE DID GOD EXERCISE TOWARDS MAN IN THE ESTATE WHEREIN HE WAS CREATED? A: When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him upon condition of perfect obedience, forbidding him to eat of the tree of knowledge upon pain of death. For this, consult with Gen 2:16, 17: And the Lord commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Exodus 29:36 NIV
Exodus 29:36 NLT
Exodus 29:36 ESV
Exodus 29:36 NASB
Exodus 29:36 KJV

Exodus 29:36 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Exodus 29:35
Top of Page
Top of Page