THEOSISEphraem the Syrian
Aaron and his vestments are consecrated with the anointing oil and the sacrificial blood. This underscores that it is through the Holy Spirit that the priests present the offering at the holy feast.
Leviticus 8:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
And he poured it upon Aaron's head: and he anointed and consecrated him.
וַיִּצֹק֙ מִשֶּׁ֣מֶן הַמִּשְׁחָ֔ה עַ֖ל רֹ֣אשׁ אַהֲרֹ֑ן וַיִּמְשַׁ֥ח אֹת֖וֹ לְקַדְּשֽׁוֹ׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Cyrill of Jerusalem
It is important to recognize that the original example of this anointing is present in the Old Testament. When Moses conveyed God's command to his brother and designated him as high priest, he first washed him with water before anointing him. Consequently, he was referred to as an anointed one, signifying the anointing of the forebear.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Ex 30:30Thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and shalt sanctify them, that they may do the office of priesthood unto me.
- Ps 133 (132):2
- Ex 29:7And thou shalt pour the oil of unction upon his head: and by this rite shall he be consecrated.
- Lev 4:3If the priest that is anointed shall sin, making the people to offend, he shall offer to the Lord for his sin a calf without blemish.
- Ex 28:41And with all these things thou shalt vest Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him. And thou shalt consecrate the hands of them all, and shalt sanctify them, that they may do the office of priesthood unto me.
- Lev 21:10The high priest, that is to say, the priest who is the greatest among his brethren, upon whose head the oil of unction hath been poured; and whose hands have been consecrated for the priesthood; and who hath been vested with the holy vestments. He shall not uncover his head: he shall not rend his garments.
- Lev 21:12Neither shall he go out of the holy places, lest he defile the sanctuary of the Lord: because the oil of the holy unction of his God is upon him. I am the Lord.