And thou shalt take the ram of the consecration, and seethe his flesh in the holy place.

EXODUS 29:31KJV
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Exodus 29:31 (KJV)

What does Exodus 29:31 mean?

Exodus 29:31 gives instructions for Moses to take the ram used in the ordination ceremony and cook its meat in a designated holy area. This verse is part of a detailed process for setting apart Aaron and his sons as priests, emphasizing that even the preparation of food for the ceremony must take place in a sacred setting.

God is speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, giving him step-by-step directions for consecrating Aaron and his sons to serve as priests. The “ram of the consecration” refers to a specific animal sacrificed during this ceremony, and the command to “seethe his flesh in the holy place” means the meat must be boiled within the area set apart for worship, not just anywhere. This detail highlights the seriousness and special nature of the priestly ordination.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 29:31

  • “Consecration” (מִלֻּאִים, millu’im) means “filling” or “ordination,” pointing to the ceremony that officially installs Aaron and his sons as priests. The word suggests the idea of being filled up or made complete for service.
  • “Seethe” (בָּשַׁל, bashal) means “to boil” or “cook by boiling.” This is not just any method of cooking, but specifically boiling, which was a common way to prepare sacrificial meat for certain rituals.
  • “Holy” (קָדוֹשׁ, qadosh) and “place” (מָקוֹם, maqom) together stress that the location for boiling the meat is not just physically set apart, but spiritually significant, reinforcing the sacredness of the entire process.

Why Exodus 29:31 matters

  • This verse clarifies that every part of the ordination ceremony, even the cooking of the meat, had to be done in a holy space, not in a common area, showing the importance of keeping sacred things separate from the ordinary.
  • The focus on the “ram of consecration” connects this verse to the larger ritual described in Exodus 29, where each step is designed to set the priests apart for their special role.
  • Understanding these details helps explain the careful boundaries and rituals in Israel’s worship, highlighting how holiness was woven into every aspect of priestly life.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“seethe” Hebrew H1310 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 40:10 And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes:
  • Numbers 11:8 And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil.
  • 2 Kings 6:29 So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.

“holy” Hebrew H6918 · used in 106 verses

  • Exodus 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
  • 2 Chronicles 35:3 And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders: serve now the LORD your God, and his people Israel,
  • Isaiah 29:19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.