Exodus 29:15 (KJV)

What does Exodus 29:15 mean?

Exodus 29:15 describes how Moses is to take a ram, and Aaron and his sons are to lay their hands on the ram’s head as part of their ordination ceremony. This act is a specific instruction from God for preparing Aaron and his sons to serve as priests.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, giving him detailed steps for consecrating Aaron and his sons. The ceremony involves a ram, which is a male sheep, and the act of placing hands on its head. This gesture often signified identification with the animal or symbolically transferring responsibility or guilt, marking the ram for a special purpose in the ritual.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 29:15

• רָם (’ayil, transliterated as "ayil") means "ram." The use of a ram here is significant because rams were commonly used in important sacrifices, highlighting the seriousness of the ordination.
• שִׂים (samak, transliterated as "samakh") means "put" or "lay." The instruction for Aaron and his sons to lay their hands on the ram’s head is a deliberate, meaningful action, not just a casual touch.
• יָד (yad, transliterated as "yad") means "hand." The plural form here shows that all of Aaron’s sons, along with Aaron, are involved, emphasizing their shared role in the priesthood.
• רֹאשׁ (rosh, transliterated as "rosh") means "head." Placing hands on the head of the animal was a symbolic act, often understood as identifying with the sacrifice or dedicating it for a specific purpose.

Why Exodus 29:15 matters

• This verse clarifies that the ordination of priests involved not just ritual actions but also symbolic gestures that connected the priests to the sacrifices they would offer.
• The instruction for all of Aaron and his sons to participate underscores the collective responsibility and unity required for the priesthood.
• Understanding this step helps make sense of the larger ordination process described in Exodus 29, showing how each action was meant to set Aaron and his sons apart for their special role.