Exodus 29:19-28 · Bible study
Exodus 29:19-28 Commentary: The Ram of Consecration
Hebrew · 8 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Study the second ram of ordination in Exodus 29:19-28.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The second ram installs the priests through identification (laying on hands), consecration (blood and oil), and provision (priestly portions).
- Key words: Milluʾîm (“installation”), sāmakh (“to lay hands on”), tĕnûpâ (“wave offering”), tĕrûmâ (“heave offering”).
- Main debate: Does the laying on of hands transfer sin, authority, or simply identification? Most see it as identification with the sacrifice that provides fellowship.
- Theological theme: God consecrates ordinary men for sacred service, claiming every part of their lives and sustaining them through the worship of the community.
- Best use: A Lenten or ordination sermon series on the cost and gift of priesthood, or a small-group study on how Old Testament rituals point to Christ’s once-for-all offering.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
19Take the second ram, and Aaron and his sons are to lay their hands on its head.
20Slaughter the ram, take some of its blood, and put it on the right earlobes of Aaron and his sons, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. Sprinkle the remaining blood on all sides of the altar.
21And take some of the blood on the altar and some of the anointing oil and sprinkle it on Aaron and his garments, as well as on his sons and their garments. Then he and his garments will be consecrated, as well as his sons and their garments.
22Take the fat from the ram, the fat tail, the fat covering the entrails, the lobe of the liver, both kidneys with the fat on them, and the right thigh (since this is a ram for ordination),
23along with one loaf of bread, one cake of bread made with oil, and one wafer from the basket of unleavened bread that is before the LORD.
24Put all these in the hands of Aaron and his sons and wave them before the LORD as a wave offering.
25Then take them from their hands and burn them on the altar atop the burnt offering as a pleasing aroma before the LORD; it is an offering made by fire to the LORD.
26Take the breast of the ram of Aaron’s ordination and wave it before the LORD as a wave offering, and it will be your portion.
27Consecrate for Aaron and his sons the breast of the wave offering that is waved and the thigh of the heave offering that is lifted up from the ram of ordination.
28This will belong to Aaron and his sons as a regular portion from the Israelites, for it is the heave offering the Israelites will make to the LORD from their peace offerings.
WEB World English Bible 2000
19“You shall take the other ram, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the ram.
20Then you shall kill the ram, and take some of its blood, and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and on the tip of the right ear of his sons, and on the thumb of their right hand, and on the big toe of their right foot; and sprinkle the blood around on the altar.
21You shall take of the blood that is on the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron, and on his garments, and on his sons, and on the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be made holy, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons’ garments with him.
22Also you shall take some of the ram’s fat, the fat tail, the fat that covers the innards, the cover of the liver, the two kidneys, the fat that is on them, and the right thigh (for it is a ram of consecration),
23and one loaf of bread, one cake of oiled bread, and one wafer out of the basket of unleavened bread that is before Yahweh.
24You shall put all of this in Aaron’s hands, and in his sons’ hands, and shall wave them for a wave offering before Yahweh.
25You shall take them from their hands, and burn them on the altar on the burnt offering, for a pleasant aroma before Yahweh: it is an offering made by fire to Yahweh.
26“You shall take the breast of Aaron’s ram of consecration, and wave it for a wave offering before Yahweh. It shall be your portion.
27You shall sanctify the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the wave offering, which is waved, and which is raised up, of the ram of consecration, even of that which is for Aaron, and of that which is for his sons.
28It shall be for Aaron and his sons as their portion forever from the children of Israel; for it is a wave offering. It shall be a wave offering from the children of Israel of the sacrifices of their peace offerings, even their wave offering to Yahweh.
KJV King James Version 1769
19And thou shalt take the other ram; and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram.
20Then shalt thou kill the ram, and take of his blood, and put it upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and upon the tip of the right ear of his sons, and upon the thumb of their right hand, and upon the great toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about.
21And thou shalt take of the blood that is upon the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be hallowed, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons’ garments with him.
22Also thou shalt take of the ram the fat and the rump, and the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and the right shoulder; for it is a ram of consecration:
23And one loaf of bread, and one cake of oiled bread, and one wafer out of the basket of the unleavened bread that is before the Lord:
24And thou shalt put all in the hands of Aaron, and in the hands of his sons; and shalt wave them for a wave offering before the Lord.
25And thou shalt receive them of their hands, and burn them upon the altar for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour before the Lord: it is an offering made by fire unto the Lord.
26And thou shalt take the breast of the ram of Aaron’s consecration, and wave it for a wave offering before the Lord: and it shall be thy part.
27And thou shalt sanctify the breast of the wave offering, and the shoulder of the heave offering, which is waved, and which is heaved up, of the ram of the consecration, even of that which is for Aaron, and of that which is for his sons:
28And it shall be Aaron’s and his sons’ by a statute for ever from the children of Israel: for it is an heave offering: and it shall be an heave offering from the children of Israel of the sacrifice of their peace offerings, even their heave offering unto the Lord.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
19And thou shalt take the other ram; and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands upon the head of the ram.
20Then shalt thou kill the ram, and take of its blood, and put it upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and upon the tip of the right ear of his sons, and upon the thumb of their right hand, and upon the great toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about.
21And thou shalt take of the blood that is upon the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be hallowed, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons’ garments with him.
22Also thou shalt take of the ram the fat, and the fat tail, and the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul of the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and the right thigh (for it is a ram of consecration),
23and one loaf of bread, and one cake of oiled bread, and one wafer, out of the basket of unleavened bread that is before Jehovah:
24and thou shalt put the whole upon the hands of Aaron, and upon the hands of his sons, and shalt wave them for a wave-offering before Jehovah.
25And thou shalt take them from their hands, and burn them on the altar upon the burnt-offering, for a sweet savor before Jehovah: it is an offering made by fire unto Jehovah.
26And thou shalt take the breast of Aaron’s ram of consecration, and wave it for a wave-offering before Jehovah: and it shall be thy portion.
27And thou shalt sanctify the breast of the wave-offering, and the thigh of the heave-offering, which is waved, and which is heaved up, of the ram of consecration, even of that which is for Aaron, and of that which is for his sons:
28and it shall be for Aaron and his sons as their portion for ever from the children of Israel; for it is a heave-offering: and it shall be a heave-offering from the children of Israel of the sacrifices of their peace-offerings, even their heave-offering unto Jehovah.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
19`And thou hast taken the second ram, and Aaron hath laid--his sons also--their hands on the head of the ram,
20and thou hast slaughtered the ram, and hast taken of its blood, and hast put on the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and on the tip of the right ear of his sons, and on the thumb of their right hand, and on the great toe of their right foot, and hast sprinkled the blood on the altar round about;
21and thou hast taken of the blood which is on the altar, and of the anointing oil, and hast sprinkled on Aaron, and on his garments, and on his sons, and on the garments of his sons with him, and he hath been hallowed, he, and his garments, and his sons, and the garments of his sons with him.
22`And thou hast taken from the ram the fat, and the fat tail, and the fat which is covering the inwards, and the redundance on the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat which is on them, and the right leg, for it is a ram of consecration,
23and one round cake of bread, and one cake of oiled bread, and one thin cake out of the basket of the unleavened things which is before Jehovah.
24`And thou hast set the whole on the hands of Aaron, and on the hands of his sons, and hast waved them--a wave-offering before Jehovah;
25and thou hast taken them out of their hand, and hast made perfume on the altar beside the burnt-offering, for sweet fragrance before Jehovah; a fire-offering it is to Jehovah.
26`And thou hast taken the breast from the ram of the consecration which is for Aaron, and hast waved it--a wave-offering before Jehovah, and it hath become thy portion;
27and thou hast sanctified the breast of the wave-offering, and the leg of the heave-offering, which hath been waved, and which hath been lifted up from the ram of the consecration, of that which is for Aaron, and of that which is for his sons;
28and it hath been for Aaron and for his sons, by a statute age-during from the sons of Israel, for it is a heave-offering; and it is a heave offering from the sons of Israel, from the sacrifices of their peace-offerings--their heave-offering to Jehovah.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
19And thou shalt take the second ram, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands upon the head of the ram;
20and thou shalt slaughter the ram, and take of its blood, and put [it] on the tip of the [right] ear of Aaron, and on the tip of the right ear of his sons, and on the thumb of their right hand, and on the great toe of their right foot; and thou shalt sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about.
21And thou shalt take of the blood that is upon the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle [it] on Aaron, and on his garments, and on his sons, and on the garments of his sons with him; and he shall be hallowed, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him.
22Also of the ram shalt thou take the fat, and the fat-tail, and the fat that covereth the inwards, and the net of the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and the right shoulder — for it is a ram of consecration —
23and one loaf of bread, and one cake of oiled bread, and one wafer out of the basket of the unleavened [bread] that is before Jehovah;
24and thou shalt put all this in the hands of Aaron, and in the hands of his sons, and shalt wave them as a wave-offering before Jehovah.
25And thou shalt receive them of their hand and burn [them] upon the altar over the burnt-offering, for a sweet odour before Jehovah: it is an offering by fire to Jehovah.
26And thou shalt take the breast of the ram of consecration which is for Aaron, and wave it as a wave-offering before Jehovah; and it shall be thy part.
27And thou shalt hallow the breast of the wave-offering, and the shoulder of the heave-offering, that hath been waved and heaved up, of the ram of the consecration, of that which is for Aaron, and of [that] which is for his sons.
28And they shall be for Aaron and his sons, as an everlasting statute, on the part of the children of Israel; for it is a heave-offering; and it shall be a heave-offering on the part of the children of Israel of the sacrifices of their peace-offerings, [as] their heave-offering to Jehovah.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
19Thou shalt take also the other ram, upon whose head Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands.
20And when thou hast sacrificed him, thou shalt take of his blood, and put upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron and of his sons, and upon the thumbs and great toes of their right hand and foot, and thou shalt pour the blood upon the altar round about.
21And when thou hast taken of the blood that is upon the altar, and of the oil of unction, thou shalt sprinkle Aaron and his vesture, his sons and their vestments. And after they and their vestments are consecrated,
22Thou shalt take the fat of the ram, and the rump, and the fat that covereth the lungs, and the caul of the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and the right shoulder, because it is the ram of consecration:
23And one roll of bread, a cake tempered with oil, a wafer out of the basket of unleavened bread, which is set in the sight of the Lord:
24And thou shalt put all upon the hands of Aaron and of his sons, and shalt sanctify them elevating before the Lord.
25And thou shalt take all from their hands; and shalt burn them upon the altar for a holocaust, a most sweet savour in the sight of the Lord, because it is his oblation.
26Thou shalt take also the breast of the ram, wherewith Aaron was consecrated, and elevating it thou shalt sanctify it before the Lord, and it shall fall to thy share.
27And thou shalt sanctify both the consecrated breast, and the shoulder that thou didst separate of the ram,
28Wherewith Aaron was consecrated and his sons, and they shall fall to Aaron's share, and his sons', by a perpetual right from the children of Israel: because they are the choicest and the beginnings of their peace victims which they offer to the Lord.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Exodus 29:19
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that this passage describes a distinct sacrifice, the ram of consecration (Hebrew ʾêl milluʾîm, literally “ram of filling”). Unlike the earlier burnt offering (vv.15, 18), which was wholly consumed, this ram functions as a peace offering. The Cambridge Bible notes its essential character as a peace offering, where the flesh is shared between God and the priests. The laying on of hands (sāmakh) marks identification: Adam Clarke argues it signifies the transference of the offerer’s devotion and need onto the victim, while Wesley reads it as a token of covenant. The blood placed on the right ear, thumb, and toe receives broad consensus as a pledge that the priest’s hearing, actions, and walk are set apart for God. The mixture of blood and anointing oil sprinkled on Aaron, his sons, and their garments completes their consecration, a point Gill emphasizes: the blood of the altar and the oil together effected holiness. The wave offering, where portions are placed into the priests’ hands and then taken by Moses to be burned, is seen by Matthew Henry as a sign that the priests are presented to God before they can serve Him. Finally, the breast and thigh become a perpetual statute for Aaron and his sons as their due from the people’s peace offerings.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Dedication of faculties: Adam Clarke: blood on ear, thumb, toe represents consecration of hearing, action, walk to God.
- Covenant participation: Wesley and Calvin: the priests enter a covenant through blood and oil, with the wave offering sealing fellowship.
- Typological of Christ: Many interpreters: the two rams represent sacrifice and communion; the priests' consecration prefigures the perfect high priest who offers Himself.
What is clear: The ritual consecrates Aaron and his sons for service, using blood and oil to mark them as set apart, with the second ram providing a peace-offering meal and a permanent priestly portion.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Function of the second ram | It is a peace offering, not a sin or burnt offering; it establishes fellowship and provides food. | Catholic and Protestant traditions treat it as a type of the Eucharist or the Lord's Supper, while Jewish tradition sees it as the institution of the priestly share in sacrifices. |
| Meaning of the blood on extremities | The right ear, thumb, and toe symbolize consecration of hearing, action, and walk. | Some Reformed interpreters (Calvin, Wesley) stress this as a pledge of covenant loyalty; others (Clarke) emphasize the dedication of all faculties to God. |
| Wave offering as a ritual action | The wave offering presents the gifts to God and returns them to the priests for use. | Some read it as a judicial act of presentation, others as a liturgical movement symbolizing the cross (as suggested by Clarke). |
| Perpetual statute for priests | The breast and thigh become a permanent portion for Aaron's descendants. | Churches with an ordained priesthood see this as a model for ministerial support; others emphasize the temporary nature of the Levitical system. |
Historical & Cultural Context
This passage belongs to the seven-day ordination ceremony for the Aaronic priesthood (Exodus 29, Leviticus 8). The setting is the newly constructed Tabernacle courtyard, where the community watches the first high priest and his sons assume their office. Two rams are brought: the first is a burnt offering, completely consumed to atone for sin and dedicate the altar. The second ram, called the ram of milluʾîm, comes from a root meaning “to fill”, it fills the priests’ hands with the offerings that empower them to minister.
The animal itself reflects the culture. Clarke describes the broad-tailed sheep prized in the ancient Near East, where the fat tail (ʾalyâ) was a delicacy. Including it and the internal fat (the choicest parts) on the altar showed giving God the best. The breads, a loaf, a cake with oil, and a wafer, come from a basket of unleavened bread, recalling the haste of the Exodus and purity requirements. The wave offering (tĕnûpâ) involved moving the gifts horizontally toward the altar, likely toward and back, signifying presentation to God and return for priestly use. The heave offering (tĕrûmâ) was lifted up, perhaps representing elevation to God. Moses acts as the officiant because the priests are not yet authorized; they only hold the gifts while Moses waves and burns them. This transfer of authority becomes clear when later priests themselves handle such offerings (Leviticus 7:29, 34).
The blood on the right ear, thumb, and toe connects to other purification rites. Leviticus 14:14 applies the same pattern to a cleansed leper, and Leviticus 8:23, 24 records the actual execution. The right side (from the Hebrew yāmîn) conveys favor and strength. These specific extremities, as Calvin and others observe, mark the whole person, hearing, working, walking, as God’s possession. The additional sprinkling of blood and oil on the persons and garments intensifies the consecration, binding the priest’s very clothing into his sacred identity.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no significant textual variants for Exodus 29:19, 28. The Samaritan Pentateuch reads “the fat, (even)” in v.22, clarifying the phrase, but this does not change interpretation. The Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate follow the Hebrew closely. The consistency across manuscripts supports the passage’s integrity.
Reception History
From the early church through the Reformation, this passage was read as a foreshadowing of Christ’s priesthood. Origen saw the blood and oil as types of atonement and the Holy Spirit. The wave and heave offerings were linked by some medieval commentators to the cross: the horizontal wave representing Christ’s outstretched arms, the vertical heave His ascension. The Reformers used the ceremony to argue for a separation between the priesthood of all believers and a special pastoral office, Calvin drew on the perpetual statute (v.28) to support provision for ministers. In modern evangelical and Pentecostal contexts, the blood on ear, thumb, and toe often illustrates total dedication to God. Jewish tradition focuses on the milluʾîm as the foundational ordination for the Temple priesthood, discussed in Talmudic tractates on consecration.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Identification through the sacrifice, Aaron and his sons lay their hands on the ram’s head, linking themselves to its death and dedication. This act, common to all offerings, roots priesthood in substitution and surrender.
- Consecration at every extremity, Blood on the right ear, thumb, and toe signified that hearing God’s word, doing God’s work, and walking God’s path belong completely to Him. The oil and blood together seal the priest’s whole being.
- Sustained by the offerings, The breast and thigh become a perpetual statute for the priests. They live from what the people bring to God, showing that ministry depends on the community’s worship.
Five-point outline
- Two rams, one message: sacrifice first, fellowship second.
- Hands on the head: a priest’s identity is wrapped up in an offering.
- Blood on the margins: God claims the edges of your life.
- Wave and heave: all ministry is presented to God before it can bless others.
- Portion forever: God provides for those who serve Him through His people’s gifts.
Illustration hooks
- A wedding ring placed on the ring finger, a small spot that represents a whole covenant commitment. The blood on ear, thumb, and toe works the same way for the priest.
- A new employee on their first day, given a badge and keys. The priests receive their “keys” by having their hands filled with offerings.
- Think of a donated organ that gives life to a new body: the priests live because a ram died for them.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why did God require such an elaborate, bloody ceremony to start the priesthood?
- What does this ancient ritual tell me about how I approach God today?
- How do I know my whole life, ears, hands, feet, is consecrated, not just my religious activities?
Leading a Discussion
This passage takes us inside the most important ceremony in Israel’s early life: the ordination of the priests. It is detailed and strange to modern readers, but every action carries meaning. The second ram is not just a second animal, it is the ram of filling, the one that completes the priests’ commission. As you discuss, look for the pattern of gift, sacrifice, and provision.
Discussion questions
- Read Exodus 29:15, 18 first (the burnt offering). Then read vv.19, 28. What differences do you notice between the two rams? Why did God prescribe two different sacrifices?
- The phrase “ram of consecration” comes from a Hebrew word meaning “filling.” What is being filled, and what does that teach about ordination?
- Blood is placed on the right ear, right thumb, and right big toe. What do these body parts represent? Why the right side?
- In verse 21, blood and anointing oil are sprinkled together on the priests and their clothes. What does the combination of blood and oil suggest about the source of holiness?
- The wave offering involves putting offerings into the priests’ hands, then Moses taking them and burning them. Why does Moses act as the priest here? What does the gesture of putting items in their hands mean for their role?
- The breast and thigh become “a statute forever.” How does this provision connect priesthood to the generosity of the people? What does it say about God’s care for those who serve Him?
- Christians teach that believers are a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). In what ways does this Old Testament ceremony help you understand your own calling to serve God?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Exodus 29:3 | You shall put them into one basket, and bring them in the basket, with the bull and the two rams. |
| Leviticus 8:22 | He presented the other ram, the ram of consecration. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram. |
| Leviticus 8:29 | Moses took the breast, and waved it for a wave offering before Yahweh. It was Moses’ portion of the ram of consecration, as Yahweh commanded Moses. |
| Leviticus 8:24 | He brought Aaron’s sons; and Moses put some of the blood on the tip of their right ear, and on the thumb of their right hand, and on the great toe of their right foot; and Moses sprinkled the blood around on the altar. |
| Leviticus 14:7 | He shall sprinkle on him who is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird go into the open field. |
| Leviticus 14:14 | The priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and the priest shall put it on the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, and on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. |
| Leviticus 14:16 | The priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand, and shall sprinkle some of the oil with his finger seven times before Yahweh. |
| Leviticus 16:14 | He shall take some of the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat on the east; and before the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
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What the Commentators Say
6 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Adam Clarke highlights that the consecration ritual's "filling of the hands" symbolized the priest's new authority to offer sacrifices. Applying blood to the ear, thumb, and toe signified dedicating every faculty to God, and taught that no holy service is possible without the atoning blood, which pointed to Christ.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin explains that the restrictions on eating the holy offerings—limiting them to priests and their families, confining consumption to the sanctuary, and burning leftovers—aimed to preserve their sacred dignity. These concrete rules taught the ancient people to distinguish holy from common, preventing contempt for God's service. Such "childish rudiments" were necessary to elevate their minds to
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator identifies the installation offering as essentially a peace-offering, modified for the occasion. The blood applied to the priest’s ear, thumb, and toe signifies that his hearing, actions, and conduct must be consecrated to God.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill highlights that the blood on the right ear, thumb, and toe of Aaron and his sons cleanses sins of hearing, action, and walking. The later sprinkling of both blood and oil on them and their garments signifies their justification by Christ's blood and sanctification by the Spirit, setting them apart for holy service.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange argues that the command for priestly consecration appears before the tabernacle's construction to show the priesthood's wider significance beyond ritual. The actual consecration had to wait until after the tabernacle was built, preserving the prophetic office's initiative and the sanctuary's central role in God's plan.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley highlights that the peace offering established a mutual covenant between God and the priests. The blood was divided, part on the altar and part on their bodies, signifying total consecration. The flesh shared between them represented fellowship, with the blood and oil pointing to Christ's sacrifice and the Spirit's graces.