And thou shalt take the breast of the ram of Aaron's consecration, and wave it for a wave offering before the LORD: and it shall be thy part.

EXODUS 29:26KJV
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Exodus 29:26 (KJV)

What does Exodus 29:26 mean?

Exodus 29:26 describes how Moses is to take the breast of the ram used in Aaron’s consecration ceremony and wave it before the LORD as a special offering, after which it becomes Moses’ portion to keep. This act is part of the ritual that sets Aaron and his sons apart for their priestly service.

God is speaking to Moses, giving him detailed instructions on how to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests. The ceremony involves sacrificing a ram, and the breast portion is to be presented in a symbolic gesture called a “wave offering” before God. This specific offering marks both the dedication of the priests and provides for those performing the ceremony.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 29:26

  • “Wave” (נָף naph): This word means to move something back and forth, often understood as a symbolic gesture of presenting the offering to God and then receiving it back. It highlights the idea of dedicating something to God’s service.
  • “Offering” (תְּנוּפָה tenuphah): This term refers specifically to the “wave offering,” a type of ritual offering that is distinct from others in the Old Testament. It emphasizes the ceremonial act of presentation before God.
  • “Consecration” (מִלֻּאִים millu’im): This word means “filling” or “ordination,” pointing to the ceremony’s purpose—filling Aaron’s hands with what is needed for his new role as priest.

Why Exodus 29:26 matters

  • This verse clarifies that certain parts of the sacrificial animal were set aside for those officiating the ceremony, not just burned or discarded, showing how God provided for the priests.
  • The “wave offering” is a unique ritual that visually and physically demonstrates dedication and return, deepening the reader’s understanding of Old Testament worship practices.
  • Exodus 29:26 connects to the larger passage by showing the careful, step-by-step process God commanded for setting apart Israel’s priests, underlining the seriousness and sacredness of their role.

Where else these words appear

“breast” Hebrew H2373 · used in 12 verses

  • Exodus 29:27 And thou shalt sanctify the breast of the wave offering, and the shoulder of the heave offering, which is waved, and which is heaved up, of the ram of the consecration, even of that which is for Aaron, and of that which is for his sons:
  • Leviticus 7:34 For the wave breast and the heave shoulder have I taken of the children of Israel from off the sacrifices of their peace offerings, and have given them unto Aaron the priest and unto his sons by a statute for ever from among the children of Israel.
  • Leviticus 10:14 And the wave breast and heave shoulder shall ye eat in a clean place; thou, and thy sons, and thy daughters with thee: for they be thy due, and thy sons' due, which are given out of the sacrifices of peace offerings of the children of Israel.

“part” Hebrew H4490 · used in 14 verses

  • Leviticus 7:33 He among the sons of Aaron, that offereth the blood of the peace offerings, and the fat, shall have the right shoulder for his part.
  • 1 Samuel 9:23 And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.
  • Esther 2:9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.

“consecration” Hebrew H4394 · used in 15 verses

  • Exodus 25:7 Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate.
  • Exodus 29:34 And if ought of the flesh of the consecrations, or of the bread, remain unto the morning, then thou shalt burn the remainder with fire: it shall not be eaten, because it is holy.
  • Leviticus 8:28 And Moses took them from off their hands, and burnt them on the altar upon the burnt offering: they were consecrations for a sweet savour: it is an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

“offering” Hebrew H8573 · used in 28 verses

  • Exodus 29:24 And thou shalt put all in the hands of Aaron, and in the hands of his sons; and shalt wave them for a wave offering before the LORD.
  • Leviticus 9:21 And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron waved for a wave offering before the LORD; as Moses commanded.
  • Numbers 6:20 And the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD: this is holy for the priest, with the wave breast and heave shoulder: and after that the Nazarite may drink wine.