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:

EXODUS 29:27KJV
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Exodus 29:27 (KJV)

What does Exodus 29:27 mean?

Exodus 29:27 instructs that certain parts of the ram used in the ordination ceremony—the breast and the shoulder—are to be set apart as holy after being presented as special offerings. These portions are specifically for Aaron and his sons, marking them as distinct from the rest of the animal and dedicating them to God as part of the priestly consecration.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, giving detailed instructions for the ceremony that will set apart Aaron and his sons as priests. The “wave offering” and “heave offering” refer to ritual actions where the breast and shoulder are moved in a symbolic gesture before God, showing they are given to Him before being assigned to the priests. This act is part of a larger process of making the priests and their service holy and acceptable.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 29:27

  • The word “sanctify” (קָדַשׁ, qadash) means to set apart as holy or dedicated to God. Here, it highlights that these portions are not ordinary food but have a special, sacred purpose.
  • “Breast” (חָזֶה, chazeh) and “shoulder” (שׁוֹק, shoq) are the specific parts of the animal mentioned. Naming these shows that not all of the sacrifice is treated the same; only these select parts are given this status.
  • “Wave offering” (תְּנוּפָה, tenuphah) and “heave offering” (תְּרוּמָה, terumah) describe different ritual motions—waving and lifting up—used to present these parts to God, emphasizing their dedication before being given to the priests.

Why Exodus 29:27 matters

  • Exodus 29:27 clarifies that not all offerings are entirely burned or left on the altar; some parts are set aside for the priests, showing God’s provision for those serving in the sanctuary.
  • The verse emphasizes the careful, ritual process of making something holy, underlining the seriousness and orderliness of worship in Israel’s early priesthood.
  • By specifying Aaron and his sons, the verse connects the ritual actions directly to the people who will serve as priests, reinforcing their unique role and the special relationship between God, the offerings, and Israel’s leaders.

Where else these words appear

“breast” Hebrew H2373 · used in 12 verses

  • Exodus 29:26 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.
  • 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.

“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.

“shoulder” Hebrew H7785 · used in 19 verses

  • Exodus 29:22 Also thou shalt take of the ram the fat and the rump, and the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and the right shoulder; for it is a ram of consecration:
  • Leviticus 9:21 And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron waved for a wave offering before the LORD; as Moses commanded.
  • Judges 15:8 And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam.

“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.