Leviticus 8:20 - He cut the ram into its pieces; and Moses burned the head, and the pieces, and the fat.

Generated Verse: Leviticus 8:20

What does "Leviticus 8:20" mean?


Leviticus 8 describes the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests. Verse 20 specifically refers to the second ram sacrificed, called the "ram of ordination." Here's a breakdown of what that verse means:

"He cut the ram into its pieces...": Moses, acting as the intermediary between God and the people/new priests, slaughtered the ram and then butchered it. This was a standard practice for many sacrifices, making it easier to handle and cook the offering. The specific cuts are not detailed here, but likely followed established sacrificial procedures.

"...and Moses burned the head, and the pieces, and the fat.": Moses then placed the head, the cut-up pieces, and the fat on the altar and burned them. Burning was a way to offer the sacrifice to God. The smoke rising was seen as a sweet-smelling aroma pleasing to God (Leviticus 1:9).

Symbolic Significance:

Ram of Ordination: This particular sacrifice, the "ram of ordination," was meant to symbolize the dedication and consecration of Aaron and his sons to the priesthood.
Burning as Offering: The burning of the sacrifice was an act of offering the best parts (head and fat) of the animal to God, showing reverence and devotion. It also symbolized the priests' complete dedication to God's service.
Pieces as completeness: The fact that the ram was cut into pieces and completely burned meant that nothing of it was retained by men. Thus the sacrifice was complete and devoted to God alone.

In summary, Leviticus 8:20 describes a specific action within the consecration ceremony of Aaron and his sons. Moses offered the entire ram as a burnt offering to God, symbolizing the dedication of the new priests to divine service.

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