THEOSISEphraem the Syrian
Moses constructed an altar and commissioned young men from the Israelites, specifically the descendants of Aaron, to prepare the bulls for the burnt offering, as they had not yet been consecrated for the sacrifice.
Exodus 24:5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
And he sent young men of the children of Israel, and they offered holocausts, and sacrificed pacific victims of calves to the Lord.
וַיִּשְׁלַ֗ח אֶֽת־נַעֲרֵי֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיּֽ͏ַעֲל֖וּ עֹלֹ֑ת וַֽיִּזְבְּח֞וּ זְבָחִ֧ים שְׁלָמִ֛ים לַיהוָ֖ה פָּרִֽים׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Roshdestwenski W.G.
Moses records that he divided the blood of the young bull, which the young men offered as a sacrifice of atonement to the Lord. He placed half of this blood into bowls while the other half was poured over the altar. In Hebrews 9:19, the holy Apostle Paul notes that alongside the blood of the young bull, he also references the blood of goats. The one who has established authority surpassing every commandment of the Mosaic Law has accepted both the blood of goats and the young bull.
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The goat served as a symbol of the sacrificial atonement and was thus offered as a rightful sacrifice for salvation. It is clear that goats were similarly utilized to affirm the covenant of grace, as prescribed by the ordinances laid down by Moses. Exodus 24:5 confirms this, stating that the young men presented burnt offerings. Consequently, it was not against the regulations of the Jewish tradition to also present goats for burnt offerings, as illustrated in Leviticus 1:10, which indicates that if anyone brings a gift from the flock, whether from sheep, lambs, or goats for a burnt offering, it is acceptable. Additionally, Numbers 7:27 specifies that one calf, one sheep, one yearling lamb, and a goat should also be offered for sin.
Thus, it is reasonable to conclude that alongside these offerings at this significant covenantal ceremony, other sacrifices were also presented for the purpose of atonement. Accordingly, goats were included as offerings to God, particularly since the blood of Christ, represented by this sacrifice, was poured out for the sins of the entire world.
Wlastow G.K.
The Targums indicate that the term "youth" should instead be interpreted as "firstborn" or "firstfruits." This perspective holds merit when considering God's command to dedicate the firstborn of Israel to Him, who in the lineage of Abraham traditionally held the principal role of priesthood. This role was later fulfilled by the Levites. For further details, refer to Genesis 27 and Exodus 13 regarding the dedication of the firstborn to the Lord.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Ex 18:12So Jethro, the kinsman of Moses, offered holocausts and sacrifices to God: and Aaron and all the ancients of Israel came, to eat bread with him before God.
- Ex 19:22The priests also that come to the Lord, let them be sanctified, lest he strike them.
- Lev 1:1And the Lord called Moses, and spoke to him from the tabernacle of the testimony, saying:
- Lev 1:17And he shall break the pinions thereof, and shall not cut, nor divide it with a knife: and shall burn it upon the altar, putting fire under the wood. It is a holocaust and oblation of most sweet savour to the Lord.
- Lev 3:1And if his oblation be a sacrifice of peace offerings, and he will offer of the herd, whether male or female: he shall offer them without blemish before the Lord.
- Lev 3:17By a perpetual law for your generations, and in all your habitations: neither blood nor fat shall you eat at all.
- Lev 7:11This is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings that is offered to the Lord.
- Lev 7:21And he that hath touched the uncleanness of man, or of beast, or of any thing that can defile, and shall eat of such kind of flesh: shall be cut off from his people.