3. Secondly, Unto the completing of his call, there concurred his consecration, or separation unto God, at large described, Exod. xxix.
522 THE HIGH PRIEST AND HIS OFFICE. [EXERC. XXIII.
In general it is expressed, verse 1, by vip? which we render to “hallow;” that is, to sanctify, to separate unto God im the work of the priesthood. This is the general expression of his consecration ; for what we afterwards translate to “consecrate,” verses 9, 29, re- spects only one particular act of the whole work or duty. Now the parts hereof were many, which may briefly be enumerated :—
First, There was their manuduction, their bringing to the door of the tabernacle: Chap. xxix. 4, 2?4,—“ Thou shalt bring them nigh;” the word used in all sacred approaches and dedications to God. The priests themselves were made a “ corban.”
Secondly, They were washed with water: Verse 4, “Thou shalt wash them with water.’ After this the priests on all occasions were to wash themselves; at present, this being a sacred action, and they being not as yet consecrated, it was performed towards them by Moses; who at this and other times discharged the office of an extra- ordinary priest.
Thirdly, Being washed, they were clothed with the holy garments, verses 5, 6; of which afterwards.
Fourthly, The high priest being clothed, was anointed with the holy owl poured on his head, and running down over all his garments, verse 7; Ps, exxxiii. 2, The making and use of this omtment, pre- figuring the unction of the Lord Christ with all the graces of the Spirit, Heb. i. 9, are declared Exod. xxx. 23-33.
Fifthly, Sacrifices of all sorts were offered unto God:—l. The Mincha, or meat-offering, Exod. xxix. 41; 2. The Chataath, or sin- offering, verses 13, 14; 3. The Ghola, or whole burnt-offering, verses 18, 25; 4. Shelamim, or peace-offerings, verse 28; 5. Terumoth and Tenuphoth, heave and wave offerings, verses 26, 27; 6. Nesek, or the drink-offering, verse 40. So that in the consecration of the priest all sacrifices also were, as it were, anew consecrated unto God.
Sixthly, In the use of these sacrifices there were five ceremonies used, belonging in a peculiar manner unto their consecration :— 1. The filling of their hand: Verse 9, 7 nxbi, This we have rendered, “ Thou shalt consecrate them;” as though their consecra- tion were some peculiar act distinct from these prescribed ceremonies. But that which is thus expressed is only one of them, or the putting of some parts of the sacrifice into or upon their hands, to bear to the altar; which being the first action in them belonging to the sacerdotal office (for in all the former passages they were merely passive) is sometimes, by a synecdoche, used for consecration itself. 2. The putting of blood upon the tep of their right ear, and upon the thumb of their right hand, and the great toe of their right foot, verse 20; intimating their readiness to hear and perform the will of God, And this blood was taken from one of the rams that were offered for a burnt-offer- ing. 3. The sprinkling of them with blood from the altar and the
SECT. 4.] THE HIGH PRIEST AND HIS OFFICE. 523
anointing oil together, upon all their garments, verse 21. 4. The imposition or laying of their hands on the head of the beast to be sacrificed for a sin-offering, verses 10, 15; denoting the passing away of their sins from them, that they might be fit to minister before the Lord. 5. The delivery of the wave-offering into their hands asa pledge of their future portion, verses 24, 28.
Seventhly, The continuance of all this ceremony is observed, verse 30. By the repetition of the sacrifices mentioned, it was con- tinued seven days. During this time Aaron and his sons abode night and day at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation; after all which they were admitted unto and administered in their office. Now, all this solemnity was used by the appointment of God, partly to beget a reverence in the priests themselves unto his worship and in the administration of it, partly to teach and instruct the whole church in the mysteries of their redemption by the true High Priest, whose person and office were shadowed out hereby, as afterwards will more fully appear.
4, Immediately upon the revelation of the mind of God for the setting apart of Aaron to the priesthood, he prescribes the garments that he was to use in the discharge of the duties of his office; for the worship now instituted being outward and carnal, that which made an appearance of “glory and beauty,” as these vestments did, was of principal consideration therein.
These garments of the high priest were of two sorts ;—first, Those of his ordinary and constant ministration in the sanctuary; secondly, Those of his annual and extraordinary ministry in the most holy place. The first are appointed Exod. xxviii., consisting of eight parts :—
First, My Wa nips? 727°D2319 ; —“ Breeches of linen to cover the flesh of his nakedness,” Exod. xxviii. 42, 43; that is, to wear next unto him on his loins. .
Secondly, 28 N¥ye wy nindI, Exod, xxxix. 27,—A “coat of fine linen,” or silk, which was next him over the breeches, from the shoulders unto the ancles.