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 29:27KJVWhat 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.