And Moses said unto Aaron and to his sons, Boil the flesh at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and there eat it with the bread that is in the basket of consecrations, as I commanded, saying, Aaron and his sons shall eat it.

LEVITICUS 8:31KJV
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Leviticus 8:31 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 8:31 mean?

Leviticus 8:31 describes Moses instructing Aaron and his sons to boil the meat of their offering and eat it with the special bread at the entrance of the tabernacle, just as God had commanded. This meal was part of their consecration, marking their dedication to serve as priests.

In this verse, Moses is speaking directly to Aaron and his sons during their ordination ceremony. The setting is the entrance to the tabernacle, where the newly appointed priests are to eat specific foods as part of the ritual. The act of eating the boiled meat and bread from the "basket of consecrations" shows their obedience to God's instructions and symbolizes their new role and relationship with God.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 8:31

  • The word "Boil" (בָּשַׁל, bashal) means to cook by boiling, highlighting that the meat was to be prepared in a specific way, not roasted or raw, which was important for ritual purity.
  • The word "consecrations" (מִלֻּאִים, millu'im) refers to things that fill or complete, here meaning the offerings or ceremonies that "fill the hands" of the priests, symbolizing their official installation into service.
  • The word "tabernacle" (אֹהֶל, ohel) means tent, and "congregation" (מוֹעֵד, mo'ed) means meeting or appointed place, together emphasizing that this was a public, communal event at the central place of worship.

Why Leviticus 8:31 matters

  • Leviticus 8:31 clarifies that the priests' consecration involved specific actions and obedience to God's detailed instructions, not just a general dedication.
  • The verse connects the act of eating with the idea of sharing in the holy things, showing that the priests' service was both a privilege and a responsibility.
  • This instruction ties the priests' personal actions to the larger community's worship, reinforcing that their role was not private but central to Israel's relationship with God.

Where else these words appear

“basket” Hebrew H5536 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 40:16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also was in my dream, and, behold, I had three white baskets on my head:
  • Exodus 29:23 And one loaf of bread, and one cake of oiled bread, and one wafer out of the basket of the unleavened bread that is before the LORD:
  • Numbers 6:15 And a basket of unleavened bread, cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, and wafers of unleavened bread anointed with oil, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings.

“consecrations” Hebrew H4394 · used in 15 verses

  • Exodus 25:7 Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate.
  • Exodus 29:31 And thou shalt take the ram of the consecration, and seethe his flesh in the holy place.
  • Leviticus 8:22 And he brought the other ram, the ram of consecration: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram.

“Boil” 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.