Meaning of Exodus 29:10

This verse, Exodus 29:10, describes a pivotal moment in the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests for the Tabernacle. The act of bringing the bull to the front of the tent of meeting and the laying of hands signifies a transfer of responsibility and, more importantly, a substitutionary atonement. The bull, as a sin offering, is being presented on behalf of the priests themselves, acknowledging their inherent sinfulness and the need for purification before they could approach God and minister on behalf of the people. This ritual was not merely symbolic; it was a divinely ordained procedure designed to establish a holy mediator between a holy God and an unholy people.

Context and Background

This instruction is part of a lengthy and detailed section in Exodus (chapters 29-31) outlining the procedures for the consecration of Aaron and his sons, the first Levitical priests. Following God's extensive instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, the focus shifts to the men who would serve within it. The consecration involved specific sacrifices, washings, and the anointing with oil. The bull in verse 10 is the first of several offerings prescribed for this ritual, specifically designated as a sin offering.

Key Themes and Messages

• Substitutionary Atonement: The bull's sacrifice represents a vicarious atonement. The sin of the priests is symbolically laid upon the animal, which then bears the penalty. This prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
• Ordinance of Priesthood: The ritual establishes the divinely appointed means by which individuals could serve as mediators between God and humanity. It highlights the necessity of a consecrated and purified priesthood.
• Holiness and Sin: The act underscores the vast gulf between God's perfect holiness and human sinfulness. The elaborate purification rituals demonstrate the seriousness with which God regards sin and the stringent requirements for approaching Him.
• Faithful Obedience: The precise instructions given to Moses, and subsequently to Aaron, emphasize the importance of exact obedience to God's commands in worship and service.

Spiritual Significance and Application

The laying of hands on the bull's head was a gesture of identification and imputation. It meant that the sin of the one laying on the hands was transferred to the animal. For Aaron and his sons, this meant their sins were symbolically placed upon the bull, which would then be sacrificed. This act served as a profound spiritual lesson: to serve God, one must first be cleansed from sin. It teaches that access to God is never casual but requires a divinely provided means of atonement. In a broader spiritual sense, it calls believers to recognize their own sinfulness and to rely on the atoning sacrifice of Christ for their cleansing and access to God.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This ritual is a foundational element in the Old Testament sacrificial system, which finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The bull as a sin offering points forward to Christ, the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). The New Testament explicitly draws parallels between the Levitical priesthood and the priesthood of Christ, highlighting how Christ's sacrifice is once for all and eternally effective, unlike the repeated sacrifices of the Old Covenant. The book of Hebrews extensively explores this theme, demonstrating how Christ's priesthood and sacrifice are superior to the Old Testament system.

Analogies

One analogy for the laying on of hands is like a patient transferring their sickness to a doctor who will then undergo a treatment to be cured, allowing them to effectively treat others. Or, consider a student handing their flawed essay to a teacher for correction and guidance; the teacher takes on the task of identifying and rectifying the errors before the student can submit a polished work. In this biblical context, the bull is the substitute, bearing the burden of the priests' sin, enabling their purified service.

Relation to Other Verses

• Leviticus 1:4: "He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him." This verse, concerning the burnt offering, also involves the laying on of hands, emphasizing the acceptance of the sacrifice for the offerer.
• Leviticus 4:1-3: This chapter elaborates on the sin offering, stating, "If anyone sins unintentionally... then he shall bring a bull as a sin offering..." This highlights the bull's specific role in dealing with sin.
• Hebrews 7:27: "Unlike the other high priests, he [Jesus] does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. For he did this once for all when he offered himself." This New Testament verse directly contrasts the temporary, repeated sacrifices of the Old Covenant with the single, perfect sacrifice of Christ.
• 1 Peter 2:5: "you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." This verse speaks of the New Covenant reality of believers being priests, made holy through Christ.