Bible Strands
Exodus 40:15
Anoint them just as you anointed their father, so that they may also serve Me as priests. Their anointing will qualify them for a permanent priesthood throughout their generations.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God instructs Moses to anoint Aaron's sons immediately after clothing them in tunics, finalizing the tabernacle's consecration. This command occurs at the moment Moses prepares to execute the completed ordination sequence.
The words — The Hebrew verb וּ/מָשַׁחְתָּ (u./ma.shach.Ta) translates as "and you will anoint," marking the ritual act that sets the priests apart. This action directly mirrors the earlier anointing of אֲבִי/הֶם ('a.vi./Hem), "their father," tying the sons' status to Aaron's prior consecration.
The thread — The promise of a permanent priesthood established here reappears in the covenant guarantee of Numbers 25:13 and the divine oath of Psalms 110:4. The New Testament later applies this consecrated lineage to the appointment of high priests who represent the people in Hebrews 5:1.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to acknowledge that priestly authority originates exclusively from divine command and ritual act, not human selection. It demands strict adherence to the established consecration procedures and recognizes that sacred service remains bound to God's ordained framework.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.
Cross-references
- Numbers 25:13 It will be a covenant of permanent priesthood for him and his descendants, because he was zealous for his God and made atonement for the Israelites.”
- Psalms 110:4 The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
- Hebrews 5:1 Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
- Hebrews 7:17 For it is testified: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
- Hebrews 8:1 The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,
- Exodus 12:14 And this day will be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD, as a permanent statute for the generations to come.
- Exodus 29:9 Wrap the sashes around Aaron and his sons and tie headbands on them. The priesthood shall be theirs by a permanent statute. In this way you are to ordain Aaron and his sons.
- Exodus 30:31 And you are to tell the Israelites, ‘This will be My sacred anointing oil for the generations to come.
- Exodus 30:33 Anyone who mixes perfume like it or puts it on an outsider shall be cut off from his people.’”
- Hebrews 7:3 Without father or mother or genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time.