THEOSISEphraem the Syrian
Aaron and his attire are consecrated through the anointing oil and the sacrificial blood. This illustrates that it is through the Holy Spirit that the priests present the offering during the sacred meal.
Leviticus 8:23Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
And when Moses had immolated it, he took of the blood thereof, and touched the tip of Aaron's right ear, and the thumb of his right hand, and in like manner also the great toe of his right foot.
וַיִּשְׁחָ֓ט ׀ וַיִּקַּ֤ח מֹשֶׁה֙ מִדָּמ֔וֹ וַיִּתֵּ֛ן עַל־תְּנ֥וּךְ אֹֽזֶן־אַהֲרֹ֖ן הַיְמָנִ֑ית וְעַל־בֹּ֤הֶן יָדוֹ֙ הַיְמָנִ֔ית וְעַל־בֹּ֥הֶן רַגְל֖וֹ הַיְמָנִֽית׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Theodoret of Cyrus
Why did Moses consecrate the priest's right ear, right hand, and right foot with blood and oil? This act symbolizes the blessings granted to us. The blood represents the redeeming sacrifice, while the oil signifies the sacred anointing. The right ear indicates commendable obedience, whereas the hand and foot symbolize righteous actions. Consequently, both the right hand and right foot were anointed, as they serve as representations of faithful service and beneficial obedience.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Ex 29:20And 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.
- Lev 14:17And the rest of the oil in his left hand, he shall pour upon the tip of the right ear of him that is cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand and the great toe of his right foot, and upon the blood that was shed for trespass:
- Lev 14:14And the priest taking of the blood of the victim that was immolated for trespass, shall put it upon the tip of the right ear of him that is cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand and the great toe of his right foot.
- 1 Cor 1:30But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom and justice and sanctification and redemption:
- Phil 1:20According to my expectation and hope; that in nothing I shall be confounded: but with all confidence, as always, so now also, shall Christ be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death.
- Rom 6:13Neither yield ye your members as instruments of iniquity unto sin: but present yourselves to God, as those that are alive from the dead; and your members as instruments of justice unto God.
- 1 Cor 1:2To the church of God that is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that invoke the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place of theirs and ours.
- Lev 14:28And he shall touch the tip of the right ear of him that is cleansed, and the thumb of his right hand and the great toe of his right foot, in the place of the blood that was shed for trespass.