1. Leviticus 8:18–21 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What was unique about the burnt offering?

Leviticus 8:18–21 (ESV)

18 Then he presented the ram of the burnt offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram.

The ordination ceremony continues with the presentation of a whole burnt offering. The instructions for this offering were given to Moses in Exodus 29:15–18 (see also Leviticus 1:3–9). However, in this instance Moses oversees the ritual while the priests take the place of the worshippers. Leviticus 8:19 states that Moses, rather than the priests sacrificed the animal and threw its blood on the altar.