Leviticus Chapter 8

Leviticus 8 — “Clothed for Glory: The Consecration of the Priests and the Priesthood of Christ”

Leviticus 1–7 taught the meaning of sacrifice.
Leviticus 8 now teaches who may offer it.

Before sacrifice can be effective for the people,
the priest himself must be consecrated.

This chapter teaches one central truth:

Those who draw near to God on behalf of others must themselves be clothed, cleansed, and offered — a mystery fulfilled perfectly in Christ the High Priest.

1. God Commands the Ordination

“The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Take Aaron and his sons with him…’” (Lev 8:1–2)

Priesthood is not self-chosen.
It is divinely instituted.

St Augustine writes:

“No one takes the priesthood to himself unless he is called by God.”
(City of God)

Typology:

Christ does not seize priesthood —
He is appointed by the Father:

“You are a priest forever.” (Ps 110:4)

The Church’s priesthood is received,
not invented.

2. The Assembly Gathers

“Moses assembled all the congregation…” (v. 3)

Ordination is public.

St Gregory the Great teaches:

“He is made priest before men so that he may intercede for men.”
(Pastoral Rule)

Typology:

Christ is revealed publicly on the Cross
as Priest and Victim for all.

Priesthood is not private privilege,
but public service.

3. Washing with Water

“Moses washed them with water.” (v. 6)

Before vesting,
there is cleansing.

St Ambrose writes:

“The washing prepares the one who will touch holy things.”
(On the Mysteries)

Typology:

Christ is sinless
yet enters the waters of Jordan.

The priest must be clean
before he can cleanse others.

Baptism prepares
for priesthood and sacrifice.

4. The Holy Garments

“He put the tunic on him… the sash… the robe… the ephod…” (vv. 7–9)

The priest is clothed in glory.

St Jerome comments:

“The vestments show the dignity of the office.”
(Commentary)

Typology:

Christ is clothed in flesh.
Then stripped in the Passion.
Then clothed in glory in Resurrection.

The Church is clothed
with Christ in Baptism.

5. The Breastpiece and the Stones

“He set the breastpiece on him… and put the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece.” (v. 8)

The priest bears Israel
on his heart.

St Augustine writes:

“The priest carries the people in his breast before God.”
(Sermons)

Typology:

Christ carries His Church
upon His heart.

His judgments are light and truth
(Urim and Thummim).

6. The Turban and the Golden Plate

“He set the turban on his head… the holy crown.” (v. 9)

Holiness is written on the forehead.

St Gregory the Great teaches:

“The mind of the priest must be crowned with holiness.”
(Pastoral Rule)

Typology:

Christ is crowned with thorns
before He is crowned with glory.

The inscription of holiness
becomes mockery, then victory.

7. The Anointing Oil

“Moses anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it.” (v. 10)

Oil consecrates:

• priest
• altar
• dwelling place

St Ambrose writes:

“Oil signifies the grace of the Spirit.”
(On the Mysteries)

Typology:

Christ is the Anointed One (Messiah).

The Church is anointed
to become His Body.

The Spirit consecrates
what the blood will redeem.

8. Sprinkling the Altar Seven Times

(v. 11)

Seven signifies completeness.

St Augustine teaches:

“God perfects what He consecrates.”
(Sermons)

Typology:

Christ’s sacrifice
is perfectly sufficient.

No repetition is needed.

9. Aaron and His Sons Anointed

(v. 12)

The oil flows from head to body.

St Jerome remarks:

“As oil descends from the head, so grace flows from Christ to the Church.”
(Commentary)

Typology:

Christ is the Head.
The Church is His Body.

The Spirit unites them.

10. The Bull for Sin

(vv. 14–17)

The first sacrifice is for sin.

St Gregory the Great teaches:

“The priest must be cleansed before he cleanses others.”
(Homilies)

Typology:

Christ has no sin of His own,
yet bears ours.

The priesthood begins
with humility and blood.

11. The Ram for the Burnt Offering

(vv. 18–21)

This is total dedication.

St Augustine writes:

“The priest is first offered before he offers.”
(Sermons)

Typology:

Christ offers Himself wholly
before offering salvation to others.

12. The Ram of Ordination

(vv. 22–29)

This sacrifice consecrates the priest.

St Jerome comments:

“The priest is sealed by blood.”
(Commentary)

Typology:

Christ’s priesthood is sealed
by His own blood.

No other priesthood endures.

13. Blood on Ear, Thumb, and Toe

(v. 23)

Ear = hearing
Thumb = working
Toe = walking

St Gregory the Great teaches:

“The priest must hear God, work for God, and walk with God.”
(Pastoral Rule)

Typology:

Christ’s obedience is total:
He hears the Father,
does the Father’s will,
walks the Father’s path to the Cross.

The Christian life is consecrated
in thought, deed, and way.

14. Oil Mixed with Blood

(v. 30)

Oil and blood are joined.

St Ambrose writes:

“The Spirit and the sacrifice unite the priest.”
(On the Mysteries)

Typology:

Pentecost follows Calvary.

The Spirit is given
because the Blood is shed.

15. Eating the Ordination Flesh

(vv. 31–32)

The priests eat what is offered.

St Augustine explains:

“They live from what they sacrifice.”
(Sermons)

Typology:

The priest lives from Christ.
The Church feeds on the Cross
through the Eucharist.

16. Seven Days of Consecration

(vv. 33–36)

Seven days of waiting.

St Gregory the Great teaches:

“Consecration matures in obedience.”
(Homilies)

Typology:

Christ lies in the tomb
until the seventh day passes
and new creation begins.

Ordination leads
to resurrection life.

17. The Meaning of Leviticus 8

This chapter teaches:

• priesthood is God-given
• holiness precedes ministry
• blood and oil consecrate
• obedience completes ordination

It proclaims:

No one stands between God and man
without first being offered himself.

18. Christ and the Priesthood

Christ fulfills Leviticus 8 as:

• the True High Priest
• the Anointed One
• the Consecrated Victim
• the One clothed in glory
• the Bearer of His people
• the Holy Crowned King
• the Priest forever

“You are a priest forever.” (Ps 110:4)

19. The Church and the Priesthood

In Christ, the Church becomes:

• a royal priesthood
• a consecrated people
• a temple of the Spirit
• a sacrificial body

St Peter writes:

“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood.” (1 Pet 2:9)

All Christians are offered.
Some are ordained.
All are consecrated.

Spiritual Application

Pray for your priests.

Live as consecrated people.

Let your ears hear God’s word.

Let your hands do His will.

Let your feet walk His paths.

Be clothed with Christ.

Live from the sacrifice.

Christ in Leviticus 8

Jesus is:

• the True High Priest
• the Anointed Messiah
• the Consecrated Victim
• the One clothed in glory
• the Bearer of His people
• the Crowned Holy One
• the Eternal Intercessor

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
true High Priest and Anointed Son of the Father,
You were clothed in our flesh,
anointed by the Spirit,
and consecrated by Your own blood
to reconcile heaven and earth.

Clothe us with Your holiness.
Anoint us with Your Spirit.
Consecrate our ears to hear You,
our hands to serve You,
and our feet to follow You.

Make Your Church a royal priesthood,
faithful in worship and pure in life,
until the day when sacrifice gives way to glory
and we behold You
our Priest and our God
for ever and ever.

Amen.