Then Moses presented Aaron and his sonsMoses, as the leader and prophet of Israel, acts under God's command to consecrate Aaron and his sons for the priesthood. This presentation signifies the beginning of their official service in the tabernacle. The act of presenting them highlights the importance of divine appointment and the need for a mediator between God and the people. Aaron and his sons represent the Levitical priesthood, which is a type of Christ, our ultimate High Priest, as seen in
Hebrews 4:14-16. The priesthood is established to maintain the covenant relationship between God and Israel, emphasizing the need for holiness and obedience.
and washed them with water.
The washing with water is a ceremonial act of purification, symbolizing the need for cleanliness and holiness before serving in the presence of God. This act foreshadows the New Testament concept of baptism, which signifies spiritual cleansing and rebirth (Acts 22:16). In the ancient Near Eastern context, washing was a common ritual for priests before performing sacred duties, underscoring the importance of purity. This cleansing is a precursor to the sanctification process that believers undergo through Christ, who cleanses us from sin (Ephesians 5:26-27). The use of water in this context also connects to the broader biblical theme of water as a symbol of life and purification, as seen in the waters of the Red Sea and the Jordan River.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and to mediate the covenant at Sinai. In this context, Moses acts as the officiant of the consecration ceremony for the priests.
2.
AaronThe brother of Moses, appointed as the first high priest of Israel. His role is central to the establishment of the priesthood and the sacrificial system.
3.
Aaron's SonsThey are Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, who are also consecrated as priests to serve in the tabernacle.
4.
The TabernacleThe portable sanctuary where God dwelled among the Israelites. It is the setting for the consecration ceremony.
5.
Consecration CeremonyA significant event where Aaron and his sons are set apart for priestly service, symbolizing purification and dedication to God.
Teaching Points
The Importance of PurificationThe washing of Aaron and his sons signifies the need for spiritual cleansing before serving God. This reminds us of the importance of purity in our own lives as we serve Him.
Symbolism of WaterWater is a powerful symbol of cleansing and renewal throughout Scripture. As believers, we are called to be washed by the Word and the Spirit, continually renewing our minds and hearts.
Role of Leadership in Spiritual PreparationMoses' role in preparing Aaron and his sons highlights the responsibility of spiritual leaders to guide and prepare others for service. This calls us to support and pray for our leaders as they fulfill their God-given roles.
Priesthood of All BelieversWhile Aaron and his sons were set apart for priestly duties, the New Testament teaches that all believers are part of a royal priesthood. We are called to live lives of holiness and service, representing God to the world.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Leviticus 8:6?
2.Why was washing Aaron and his sons significant in Leviticus 8:6's consecration process?
3.How does Leviticus 8:6 foreshadow New Testament teachings on spiritual cleansing?
4.What does Leviticus 8:6 reveal about God's requirements for priestly service?
5.How can we apply the concept of purification from Leviticus 8:6 today?
6.How does Leviticus 8:6 connect to the theme of holiness in Scripture?
7.Why did Moses wash Aaron and his sons in Leviticus 8:6?
8.What is the significance of washing in Leviticus 8:6?
9.How does Leviticus 8:6 relate to the concept of purification?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 8?
11.What does the Bible say about water baptism?
12.Does the detailed purification process in Numbers 8 accurately reflect historical Israelite customs, or might it be a later addition?
13.Exodus 28:30: How reliable is the claim about the Urim and Thummim, given the lack of concrete archeological evidence or consistent references elsewhere?
14.In Leviticus 8:1-13, how historically or archaeologically credible is the elaborate priestly ordination ceremony described?What Does Leviticus 8:6 Mean
Then Moses presented• The action follows God’s explicit instructions given earlier (Exodus 29:1–4), showing Moses’ obedience as mediator of the covenant.
• “Presented” (or “brought near”) stresses a public setting—Aaron and his sons are brought before the whole congregation (Leviticus 8:3–4). This underscores accountability and transparency in leadership.
• By personally presenting them, Moses confirms that priestly service is not self-appointed but divinely commissioned (Hebrews 5:4).
Aaron and his sons• Aaron, already chosen for the high-priestly role (Exodus 28:1), stands alongside his four sons—Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. The family dimension highlights God’s design for generational ministry (Numbers 18:1).
• Their inclusion anticipates the later teaching that faithful service often springs from a godly lineage (2 Timothy 1:5).
• The men are physically present, yet the focus is on God’s call; human qualifications alone could never secure entrance into His sanctuary (Psalm 65:4).
and washed them• Before vesting, the men are fully bathed at the entrance of the tent (Exodus 40:12). This cleansing marks a decisive break from ordinary life; sin and defilement have no place in holy service.
• Washing precedes every other ordination step—garments, anointing, sacrifices—illustrating that cleansing is the starting point of fellowship with God (Psalm 24:3–4).
• The rite points forward to Christ, who “loved the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word” (Ephesians 5:25–26).
with water• Ordinary water, not blood, is used here, teaching that purification involves both moral and sacrificial aspects; water addresses defilement, blood addresses guilt (Leviticus 17:11).
• The laver set between the tent and the altar (Exodus 30:18–21) supplied this water. Priests would return to it daily, modeling ongoing repentance (1 John 1:9).
• Water imagery carries into the New Testament: baptism (Acts 22:16), new birth (Titus 3:5), and living water offered by Christ (John 4:14), all echo this foundational act.
summaryLeviticus 8:6 records a literal, historic moment when Moses publicly brings Aaron and his sons before God, bathes them, and thereby signals their consecration. The verse teaches that ministry begins with divine appointment, public accountability, and thorough cleansing—a truth still vital for believers called to serve today.
(6)
And washed them with water.--As the first initiatory rite of the consecration, Moses caused Aaron and his sons to bathe (see
Leviticus 16:4), thus symbolising their purification from sin. Where the phrase "to wash with water" is used without specifying any particular part or parts of the body, as in
Genesis 19:2;
Genesis 24:32,
Exodus 30:19;
Exodus 30:21,
Deuteronomy 21:6, it denotes the washing or bathing of the entire body. This was not done in the presence of the people, but in a baptistry, behind a curtain. During the second Temple the sacerdotal immersion could not be effected in a vessel, but had to take place in a hollow made in the ground, containing at least twenty-four cubic feet of water. The installation of the priest, which is here conducted by Moses, as the giver and representative of the Divine law, was during the second Temple performed by the Sanhedrin, who "sat in Moses' seat." . . .
Verse 6. - Washing, robing, anointing, sacrificing, are the four means by the joint operation of which the consecration is effected. The washing, or bathing, took place in the sight of the people. The whole of the person, except so much as was covered by the linen drawers (
Exodus 28:42), was
washed. The symbolical significance is clear. Cleansing from sin precedes clothing in righteousness and spiritual unction.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Then Mosesמֹשֶׁ֔ה(mō·šeh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872:Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiverpresentedוַיַּקְרֵ֣ב(way·yaq·rêḇ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7126:To come near, approachAaronאַהֲרֹ֖ן(’a·hă·rōn)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 175:Aaron -- an elder brother of Mosesand his sonsבָּנָ֑יו(bā·nāw)Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121:A sonand washedוַיִּרְחַ֥ץ(way·yir·ḥaṣ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7364:To wash, wash off or away, bathethem with water.בַּמָּֽיִם׃(bam·mā·yim)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325:Water, juice, urine, semen
Links
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OT Law: Leviticus 8:6 Moses brought Aaron and his sons (Le Lv Lev.) 
