Exodus 40:13
And you are to clothe Aaron with the holy garments, anoint him, and consecrate him, so that he may serve Me as a priest.
And you are to clothe Aaron with the holy garments,

Aaron’s sacred garments, prescribed in Exodus 28, visibly marked him as set apart for service before the LORD. The ephod, breastpiece, robe, tunic, turban, and sash reflected the holiness and glory of the God whom he represented. Before entering God’s presence on behalf of Israel, Aaron required a divinely appointed covering, anticipating the righteousness God provides for His people. Isaiah rejoiced in being clothed with “garments of salvation” and a “robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10), ultimately fulfilled in Christ.

Exo 29:5 Take the garments and clothe Aaron with the tunic…
Lev 8:7 He put the tunic on Aaron, tied the sash around him…
Exo 28:2 Make holy garments for your brother Aaron,…

anoint him,

Moses was to pour the holy anointing oil upon Aaron, publicly identifying him as God’s chosen high priest. The fragrant oil, prepared according to God’s command, signified divine ownership, consecration, and empowerment for sacred service (Exodus 30:22–33). Aaron’s anointing foreshadowed Jesus Christ, the Anointed One, upon whom the Holy Spirit rested without measure (Luke 4:18; John 3:34). Believers also share in the Spirit’s anointing as those belonging to Christ (1 John 2:20, 27).

Exo 29:7 Then take the anointing oil and anoint him…
Lev 8:12 He also poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head…
Psa 133:2 It is like fine oil on the head, running down…

and consecrate him,

Aaron’s consecration involved sacrifices, cleansing, and ordination rites described in Exodus 29 and Leviticus 8. No man could assume priestly duties by personal qualification or family privilege alone; God had to appoint and cleanse him. The solemn preparation demonstrated that sinful humanity could approach a holy God only by His provision. Aaron’s imperfect priesthood pointed forward to Jesus, the sinless and eternal High Priest, who needed no sacrifice for Himself and entered the heavenly sanctuary on behalf of His people (Hebrews 7:26–28; 9:11–12).

Exo 29:9 Wrap the sashes around Aaron and his sons…
Exo 30:30 Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them…
Num 3:3 These were Aaron’s sons, the anointed priests,…

so that he may serve Me as a priest.

Aaron was commissioned to represent Israel before the LORD, offering sacrifices, interceding for the people, and teaching God’s law. His ministry established the pattern for the Aaronic priesthood throughout Israel’s history. Yet the repeated sacrifices and succession of priests revealed their incompleteness. Jesus alone is the final mediator between God and humanity, having offered Himself once for all (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 10:11–14). Through Him, all believers are made a holy priesthood, called to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God (1 Peter 2:5, 9).

Exo 28:1 “Next, have your brother Aaron brought to you…
Exo 29:1 Now this is what you are to do to consecrate Aaron…
Num 3:10 So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons to carry out…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Aaron
The brother of Moses, chosen by God to be the first high priest of Israel. His role was crucial in mediating between God and the Israelites.

2. Holy Garments
Special clothing designed by God for the priests, symbolizing purity, holiness, and the unique role of the priesthood.

3. Anointing
The act of pouring oil on Aaron, symbolizing the Holy Spirit's empowerment and setting apart for God's service.

4. Consecration
The process of making Aaron holy, dedicating him entirely to God's service, signifying a life set apart for divine purposes.

5. Priesthood
The institution established by God for mediating His covenant with Israel, with Aaron and his descendants serving as the first priests.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Holiness
The holy garments and anointing oil symbolize the purity and holiness required to serve God. As believers, we are called to live holy lives, set apart for His purposes.

God's Calling and Equipping
Just as Aaron was called and equipped for his role, God calls and equips each of us for specific purposes in His kingdom. We should seek to understand and fulfill our unique callings.

The Role of Mediation
Aaron's role as a priest highlights the need for a mediator between God and humanity. Jesus fulfills this role perfectly, and we can approach God confidently through Him.

Symbolism of Anointing
The anointing of Aaron signifies the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. As Christians, we are anointed by the Spirit to carry out God's work in the world.

Priesthood of All Believers
While Aaron's priesthood was specific, the New Testament teaches that all believers are priests, called to represent God to the world and intercede for others.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the consecration of Aaron as a priest in Exodus 40:13 relate to the concept of holiness in your own life?

2. In what ways does the anointing of Aaron foreshadow the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer today?

3. How can understanding the role of the Old Testament priesthood enhance your appreciation of Jesus' role as our High Priest?

4. What are some practical ways you can live out your calling as part of the "royal priesthood" mentioned in 1 Peter 2:9?

5. How does the process of consecration and anointing in Exodus 40:13 inspire you to seek God's purpose and empowerment in your daily life?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 8
Describes the detailed process of consecrating Aaron and his sons, providing a fuller picture of the priestly ordination.

Hebrews 5
Discusses the role of Jesus as our High Priest, drawing parallels between the Old Testament priesthood and Christ's eternal priesthood.

1 Peter 2:9
Refers to believers as a "royal priesthood," connecting the Old Testament priesthood to the New Testament calling of all Christians.
The Erection of the TabernacleJ. Urquhart Exodus 40:1-33
The Tabernacle Set UpJ. Orr Exodus 40:1-33
Tabernacle ForeshadowingsW. M. Taylor, D. D.Exodus 40:1-38
The Primary and Universal Obligation to the Worship of JehovahJ. Allport.Exodus 40:1-38
The Setting Up of the Tabernacle on New Year's DayC. P. Eyre, M. A.Exodus 40:1-38
People
Aaron, Israelites, Moses
Places
Sinai
Topics
Aaron, Acted, Anoint, Anointed, Clothe, Clothed, Consecrate, Garments, Hallow, Hast, Holy, Minister, Office, Oil, Priest, Priest's, Robes, Sacred, Sanctified, Sanctify, Serve
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 40:13

     5433   occupations
     8218   consecration

Exodus 40:9-15

     7304   anointing
     8270   holiness, set apart

Exodus 40:12-13

     7478   washing

Exodus 40:12-15

     7426   ritual washing

Exodus 40:12-16

     8345   servanthood, and worship

Exodus 40:13-15

     2230   Messiah, coming of

Library
July 7. "And the Glory of the Lord Filled the Tabernacle" (Ex. Xl. 35).
"And the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle" (Ex. xl. 35). In the last chapter of Exodus we read all the Lord commanded Moses to do, and that as he fulfilled these commands the glory of the Lord descended and filled the tabernacle till there was no room for Moses, and from that time the pillar of cloud overshadowed them, their guide, their protection. And so we have been building as the Lord Himself commanded, and now the temple is to be handed over to Him to be possessed and filled. He will
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

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

Appendix viii. Rabbinic Traditions About Elijah, the Forerunner of the Messiah
To complete the evidence, presented in the text, as to the essential difference between the teaching of the ancient Synagogue about the Forerunner of the Messiah' and the history and mission of John the Baptist, as described in the New Testaments, we subjoin a full, though condensed, account of the earlier Rabbinic traditions about Elijah. Opinions differ as to the descent and birthplace of Elijah. According to some, he was from the land of Gilead (Bemid. R. 14), and of the tribe of Gad (Tanch. on
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

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

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