And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron waved for a wave offering before the LORD; as Moses commanded.

LEVITICUS 9:21KJV
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Leviticus 9:21 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 9:21 mean?

Leviticus 9:21 describes Aaron taking the breasts and the right shoulder of the sacrificed animals and waving them before the LORD as a special offering, just as Moses had instructed him. This act was part of the ritual for dedicating the priests and their service at the tabernacle.

In this verse, Aaron is performing a specific part of the sacrificial ceremony, following detailed instructions given by Moses. The "wave offering" was a symbolic gesture, showing that these portions of the sacrifice were being presented to God. This moment comes during the first official offerings made by Aaron as high priest, marking the beginning of his priestly duties.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 9:21

  • "Waved" (נָפַף, nāphaph): This word means to move something back and forth, often understood as a ritual gesture of presentation or dedication to God. It highlights that the offering was not just given but actively presented before the LORD.
  • "Offering" (תְּנוּפָה, tenuphah): This term refers to the specific type of offering that is waved or lifted up, setting it apart from other sacrifices. It emphasizes the unique ritual action involved.
  • "Shoulder" (שׁוֹק, shoq): This word points to the right thigh or upper leg of the animal, a choice portion in sacrificial rituals. Its mention shows the care in selecting which parts were offered.

Why Leviticus 9:21 matters

  • Leviticus 9:21 clarifies that Aaron was careful to follow Moses' instructions exactly, which was crucial for the priests' acceptance before God.
  • The verse shows the importance of ritual details in Israelite worship, especially in the early days of the priesthood.
  • This act connects to the larger theme of Leviticus 9, where the priests are being set apart for their special role, and God’s presence is about to appear to the people.

Where else these words appear

“breasts” 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 7:31 And the priest shall burn the fat upon the altar: but the breast shall be Aaron's and his sons'.
  • 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.

“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 8:26 And out of the basket of unleavened bread, that was before the LORD, he took one unleavened cake, and a cake of oiled bread, and one wafer, and put them on the fat, and upon the right shoulder:
  • 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 8:29 And Moses took the breast, and waved it for a wave offering before the LORD: for of the ram of consecration it was Moses' part; as the LORD commanded Moses.
  • 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.

“waved” Hebrew H5130 · used in 35 verses

  • Exodus 20:25 And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.
  • Leviticus 23:11 And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.
  • Joshua 8:31 As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.