Exodus 29:24 - You shall put all of this in Aaron’s hands, and in his sons’ hands, and shall wave them for a wave offering before Yahweh.

Generated Verse: Exodus 29:24

What does "Exodus 29:24" mean?


Exodus 29:24 describes part of the ordination ritual for Aaron and his sons as priests. Let's break down the verse and its meaning:

"You shall put all of this in Aaron’s hands, and in his sons’ hands...": "This" refers to the previously described portions of the sacrificial animals (likely a ram in this context). Typically, this would include the breast, thigh, and a cake of bread or other offerings. The important point is that these items, symbols of dedication and sustenance, were placed in their hands.

"...and shall wave them for a wave offering before Yahweh.": This is the key part. The "wave offering" was a specific type of offering in ancient Israel where the priest would take the offering (in this case, the pieces of the ram) and wave it back and forth, sometimes up and down, before the altar. This was a symbolic gesture to present the offering to God.

Meaning and Significance:

Presentation to God: The wave offering was a way of dedicating the offering to Yahweh. By waving the portions of the sacrifice before God, it signified that they were presenting the best parts to Him.
Sanctification: The ceremony and the offering itself helped to sanctify Aaron and his sons, setting them apart for their holy office as priests. The waving of the sacrifice by them symbolizes their role as intermediaries between God and the people.
Acceptance: It's a request for God's favor and acceptance of the newly ordained priests and their service.
Ownership Acknowledgment: The waving action signifies acknowledging God's ownership of everything. It's a declaration that everything belongs to Him.
Communion: It can also represent a form of communion, as the priest and the people were participating in the offering to God.

In summary:

The act of putting the sacrificial portions in the hands of Aaron and his sons, and then waving them as a wave offering, was a powerful symbol of their ordination. It represented their dedication to God, the sanctification of their role as priests, and their presentation of offerings to Yahweh on behalf of the people.

It's important to understand these rituals within the context of the Old Testament sacrificial system. While we no longer practice these specific rituals, studying them can give us insight into the theological concepts of sacrifice, atonement, and the relationship between God and humanity.