Leviticus — Chapter 9

Loading ESV text...

1And it came to pass on the eighth day,

2And he said unto Aaron, Take thee a young calf for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without blemish, and offer

3And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying, Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb,

4Also a bullock and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before the LORD; and a meat offering mingled with oil: for to day the LORD will appear unto you.

5And they brought

6And Moses said, This

7And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the LORD commanded.

8Aaron therefore went unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin offering, which

9And the sons of Aaron brought the blood unto him: and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put

10But the fat, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver of the sin offering, he burnt upon the altar; as the LORD commanded Moses.

11And the flesh and the hide he burnt with fire without the camp.

12And he slew the burnt offering; and Aaron’s sons presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled round about upon the altar.

13And they presented the burnt offering unto him, with the pieces thereof, and the head: and he burnt

14And he did wash the inwards and the legs, and burnt

15And he brought the people’s offering, and took the goat, which

16And he brought the burnt offering, and offered it according to the manner.

17And he brought the meat offering, and took an handful thereof, and burnt

18He slew also the bullock and the ram

19And the fat of the bullock and of the ram, the rump, and that which covereth

20And they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burnt the fat upon the altar:

21And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron waved

22And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings.

23And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people.

24And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat:

1And it came to pass on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel;

2and he said unto Aaron, Take thee a calf of the herd for a sin-offering, and a ram for a burnt-offering, without blemish, and offer them before Jehovah.

3And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying, Take ye a he-goat for a sin-offering; and a calf and a lamb, both a year old, without blemish, for a burnt-offering;

4and an ox and a ram for peace-offerings, to sacrifice before Jehovah; and a meal-offering mingled with oil: for to-day Jehovah appeareth unto you.

5And they brought that which Moses commanded before the tent of meeting: and all the congregation drew near and stood before Jehovah.

6And Moses said, This is the thing which Jehovah commanded that ye should do: and the glory of Jehovah shall appear unto you.

7And Moses said unto Aaron, Draw near unto the altar, and offer thy sin-offering, and thy burnt-offering, and make atonement for thyself, and for the people; and offer the oblation of the people, and make atonement for them; as Jehovah commanded.

8So Aaron drew near unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin-offering, which was for himself.

9And the sons of Aaron presented the blood unto him; and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the base of the altar:

10but the fat, and the kidneys, and the caul from the liver of the sin-offering, he burnt upon the altar; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

11And the flesh and the skin he burnt with fire without the camp.

12And he slew the burnt-offering; and Aaron`s sons delivered unto him the blood, and he sprinkled it upon the altar round about.

13And they delivered the burnt-offering unto him, piece by piece, and the head: and he burnt them upon the altar.

14And he washed the inwards and the legs, and burnt them upon the burnt-offering on the altar.

15And he presented the people`s oblation, and took the goat of the sin-offering which was for the people, and slew it, and offered it for sin, as the first.

16And he presented the burnt-offering, and offered it according to the ordinance.

17And he presented the meal-offering, and filled his hand therefrom, and burnt it upon the altar, besides the burnt-offering of the morning.

18He slew also the ox and the ram, the sacrifice of peace-offerings, which was for the people: and Aaron`s sons delivered unto him the blood, which he sprinkled upon the altar round about,

19and the fat of the ox and of the ram, the fat tail, and that which covereth [the inwards], and the kidneys, and the caul of the liver:

20and they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burnt the fat upon the altar:

21and the breasts and the right thigh Aaron waved for a wave-offering before Jehovah; as Moses commanded.

22And Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people, and blessed them; and he came down from offering the sin-offering, and the burnt-offering, and the peace-offerings.

23And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of Jehovah appeared unto all the people.

24And there came forth fire from before Jehovah, and consumed upon the altar the burnt-offering and the fat: and when all the people saw it, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

1On the eighth day Moses summoned Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel,

2and said to Aaron, “Take for yourself a bull calf for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering, both flawless, and present them before the Lord.

3Then tell the Israelites: ‘Take a male goat for a sin offering and a calf and a lamb, both a year old and flawless, for a burnt offering,

4and an ox and a ram for peace offerings to sacrifice before the Lord, and a grain offering mixed with olive oil, for today the Lord is going to appear to you.’”

5So they took what Moses had commanded to the front of the Meeting Tent, and the whole congregation presented them and stood before the Lord.

6Then Moses said, “This is what the Lord has commanded you to do so that the glory of the Lord may appear to you.”

7Moses then said to Aaron, “Approach the altar and make your sin offering and your burnt offering, and make atonement on behalf of yourself and on behalf of the people; and also make the people’s offering and make atonement on behalf of them just as the Lord has commanded.”

8So Aaron approached the altar and slaughtered the sin-offering calf which was for himself.

9Then Aaron’s sons presented the blood to him, and he dipped his finger in the blood and put it on the horns of the altar, and the rest of the blood he poured out at the base of the altar.

10The fat and the kidneys and the protruding lobe of the liver from the sin offering he offered up in smoke on the altar just as the Lord had commanded Moses,

11but the flesh and the hide he completely burned up outside the camp.

12He then slaughtered the burnt offering, and his sons handed the blood to him, and he splashed it against the altar’s sides.

13The burnt offering itself they handed to him by its parts, including the head, and he offered them up in smoke on the altar,

14and he washed the entrails and the legs and offered them up in smoke on top of the burnt offering on the altar.

15Then he presented the people’s offering. He took the sin-offering male goat which was for the people, slaughtered it, and performed a purification rite with it like the first one.

16He then presented the burnt offering, and did it according to the standard regulation.

17Next he presented the grain offering, filled his hand with some of it, and offered it up in smoke on the altar in addition to the morning burnt offering.

18Then he slaughtered the ox and the ram—the peace-offering sacrifices which were for the people—and Aaron’s sons handed the blood to him, and he splashed it against the altar’s sides.

19As for the fat parts from the ox and from the ram (the fatty tail, the fat covering the entrails, the kidneys, and the protruding lobe of the liver),

20they set those on the breasts, and he offered the fat parts up in smoke on the altar.

21Finally Aaron waved the breasts and the right thigh as a wave offering before the Lord just as Moses had commanded.

22Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them and descended from making the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offering.

23Moses and Aaron then entered into the Meeting Tent. When they came out, they blessed the people, and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people.

24Then fire went out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat parts on the altar, and all the people saw it, so they shouted loudly and fell down with their faces to the ground.

1On the eighth day, Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel;

2and he said to Aaron, “Take a calf from the herd for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without defect, and offer them before Yahweh.

3You shall speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘Take a male goat for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both a year old, without defect, for a burnt offering;

4and a bull and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before Yahweh; and a meal offering mixed with oil: for today Yahweh appears to you.’”

5They brought what Moses commanded before the Tent of Meeting: and all the congregation came near and stood before Yahweh.

6Moses said, “This is the thing which Yahweh commanded that you should do: and Yahweh’s glory shall appear to you.”

7Moses said to Aaron, “Draw near to the altar, and offer your sin offering, and your burnt offering, and make atonement for yourself, and for the people; and offer the offering of the people, and make atonement for them; as Yahweh commanded.”

8So Aaron came near to the altar, and killed the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself.

9The sons of Aaron presented the blood to him; and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it on the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the base of the altar:

10but the fat, and the kidneys, and the cover from the liver of the sin offering, he burned upon the altar; as Yahweh commanded Moses.

11The meat and the skin he burned with fire outside the camp.

12He killed the burnt offering; and Aaron’s sons delivered the blood to him, and he sprinkled it around on the altar.

13They delivered the burnt offering to him, piece by piece, and the head: and he burned them upon the altar.

14He washed the innards and the legs, and burned them on the burnt offering on the altar.

15He presented the people’s offering, and took the goat of the sin offering which was for the people, and killed it, and offered it for sin, like the first.

16He presented the burnt offering, and offered it according to the ordinance.

17He presented the meal offering, and filled his hand from there, and burned it upon the altar, besides the burnt offering of the morning.

18He also killed the bull and the ram, the sacrifice of peace offerings, which was for the people: and Aaron’s sons delivered to him the blood, which he sprinkled around on the altar,

19and the fat of the bull and of the ram, the fat tail, and that which covers the innards, and the kidneys, and the cover of the liver:

20and they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burned the fat on the altar:

21and the breasts and the right thigh Aaron waved for a wave offering before Yahweh, as Moses commanded.

22Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people, and blessed them; and he came down from offering the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings.

23Moses and Aaron went into the Tent of Meeting, and came out, and blessed the people: and Yahweh’s glory appeared to all the people.

24Fire came out from before Yahweh, and consumed the burnt offering and the fat upon the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

Aaron offers the first sacrifices as high priest; fire comes out from the Lord's presence and consumes the offering — God accepts the worship.

Authorship & Background

Author: Moses. Leviticus is the third book of the Pentateuch, written during the wilderness period (approximately 1445-1405 BC). Hebrew title: "Vayikra" — "And He called." God speaks from the newly completed Tabernacle, giving Israel instructions for worship, sacrifice, and holy living.
Historical Context: Chapter 9 is the climax of everything that has come before. The offerings have been prescribed (chapters 1-7). The priests have been consecrated (chapter 8). Now, on the eighth day — the day after the seven days of consecration — Aaron begins his ministry. The eighth day in Scripture represents new beginnings (circumcision on the eighth day, the resurrection on the first day of the new week). This is the inauguration of the sacrificial system. Aaron offers first for himself (sin offering and burnt offering), then for the people (sin offering, burnt offering, grain offering, and peace offerings). The chapter builds to its stunning conclusion: the glory of the LORD appears to all the people, fire comes out from before the LORD and consumes the offering on the altar, and the people shout and fall on their faces (vv.23-24). This is the divine validation of the entire system — God Himself accepts the sacrifice with supernatural fire. Everything in Leviticus 1-8 has been building to this moment.
The Eighth Day — Aaron's First Ministry (vv.1-4): Moses calls Aaron, his sons, and the elders (v.1). Aaron instructed to take a calf for sin offering and a ram for burnt offering — both without blemish (v.2). The people instructed to bring a goat (sin offering), calf and lamb (burnt offering), ox and ram (peace offerings), and grain offering (vv.3-4). The reason: "for to day the LORD will appear unto you" (v.4). The sacrifices prepare the way for God's manifest presence.
Moses' Charge (vv.5-7): The congregation draws near and stands before the LORD (v.5). Moses: "This is the thing which the LORD commanded that ye should do: and the glory of the LORD shall appear unto you" (v.6). Moses tells Aaron: "Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people" (v.7). The order matters: first for himself, then for the people. The priest must be right with God before he can represent others.
Aaron's Offering for Himself (vv.8-14): The sin offering — a calf (v.8). Aaron's sons assist with the blood; Aaron applies it to the altar horns and pours it at the base (v.9). Fat, kidneys, and liver lobe burned on the altar (v.10). Flesh and skin burned outside the camp (v.11). The burnt offering — a ram (v.12). Blood thrown against the altar sides (v.12). Pieces and head burned on the altar (v.13). Entrails and legs washed and burned (v.14). Aaron must atone for himself first — he is a sinner serving sinners. (Contrast with Christ: Hebrews 7:27.)
Aaron's Offering for the People (vv.15-21): The sin offering — a goat (v.15). Offered "as the first" — same procedure as his own sin offering. The burnt offering — offered "according to the manner" (v.16). The grain offering — a handful burned on the altar "beside the burnt sacrifice of the morning" (v.17). The peace offerings — ox and ram (v.18). Fat pieces burned on the altar (vv.19-20). Breasts and right thigh waved before the LORD (v.21). The full range of offerings: sin dealt with, consecration made, fellowship established.
Aaron's Blessing and the Glory of God (vv.22-24): Aaron lifts his hands and blesses the people (v.22) — the priestly benediction (see Numbers 6:24-26). He comes down from the altar (v.22). Moses and Aaron enter the Tabernacle together, then come out and bless the people (v.23). "And the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people" (v.23). "And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat" (v.24). The people's response: "they shouted, and fell on their faces" (v.24). Divine fire = divine acceptance. God validates the entire sacrificial system with supernatural fire. The people respond with awe, joy, and worship.

Map & Geography

  • No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik highlights the eighth day as a new beginning, the necessity of Aaron offering for himself first (unlike Christ), and the fire from God as divine validation. He connects the people's response (shouting and falling) to genuine worship that combines joy and reverence.
  • Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "Fire From Heaven" "Fire came out from before the LORD — this is the seal of heaven upon the sacrifice. God does not leave His people guessing whether He accepts their worship. He answers by fire. At Carmel, Elijah prayed and fire fell. At Calvary, God accepted the sacrifice of His Son — and the proof is the resurrection, the fire of divine approval upon the Lamb. When the people saw it, they SHOUTED — here is joy — and FELL ON THEIR FACES — here is reverence. True worship holds both: the shout of gladness and the prostration of awe. If you have only joy without reverence, you have presumption. If you have only reverence without joy, you have slavish fear. But fire from God produces both."

Videos

The Bible Project — Leviticus Overview

Reflection

  • 1. "For to day the LORD will appear unto you" (v.4). God promises His manifest presence — but it comes AFTER obedience, AFTER sacrifice, AFTER preparation. Are you doing what God commands and then expecting His presence? Or are you demanding His presence without obedience?
  • 2. Aaron must offer for himself first (v.7). Before you can minister to others, you must deal with your own sin. A pastor, teacher, parent, or friend who has not dealt with their own sin before God cannot effectively help others deal with theirs. Is your own house in order?
  • 3. "The glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people" (v.23). God's presence is not hidden or private here — it is PUBLIC, visible to ALL. God wants to be known. He reveals Himself to those who seek Him through the appointed means.
  • 4. "They shouted, and fell on their faces" (v.24). Joy AND reverence. The shout of gladness AND the prostration of awe. Is your worship balanced? Do you have the joy without the reverence (casual presumption)? Or the reverence without the joy (cold formalism)? True worship holds both.
  • 5. Fire from God consumes the offering (v.24). God Himself accepts the sacrifice. You don't have to wonder if your offering through Christ is accepted — God has already answered by fire. The resurrection is God's "fire from heaven" on the sacrifice of Calvary. It is finished. It is accepted. Shout and fall on your face.