God’s blessing of His people requires dedicated mediatorship, faithful worship, and complete devotion to the LORD.
In this passage, we read: “Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them, and he stepped down after making the sin offering and the burnt offering and the peace offerings.” (v.22). Aaron, the brother of Moses, stands here as God’s appointed high priest in the early days of Israel’s journey through the wilderness, around the mid-15th century BC (commonly dated approximately 1446 BC for the Exodus). This scene takes place at the newly erected Tabernacle, likely situated at the foot of Mount Sinai in the southwestern area of the Sinai Peninsula (present-day Egypt). Through the offerings described, Aaron fulfills his high priestly duty, demonstrating that the people’s sins are atoned for and that they desire to live in fellowship with the LORD.
Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them (v.22) underscores the weighty responsibility of the high priest to intercede and pronounce blessing on the nation. By lifting up his hands, Aaron acts as a mediator, invoking God’s favor upon the people. His blessing follows the completion of the sin offering, burnt offering, and peace offering—each one representing a different dimension of reconciliation and worship (Leviticus 4:1-35; 6:8-13; 7:11-21). This ceremony foreshadows the greater High Priest, Jesus Christ, who through His final sacrifice reconciles believers to God (Hebrews 7:26-28).
The final phrase, and he stepped down after making the sin offering and the burnt offering and the peace offerings (v.22) highlights Aaron concluding his priestly service for that worship setting. He literally descends from the altar area, indicating that the appointed ritual is finished. Just as Aaron’s duties pointed Israel to the holiness and mercy of the LORD, believers today can see a reflection of God’s redemptive plan, ultimately accomplished in Jesus (John 1:29). Aaron’s faithful obedience in this moment serves as a blueprint for how God desires His people to honor Him: through genuine worship, repentance, and commitment.
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Leviticus 9:22 meaning
In this passage, we read: “Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them, and he stepped down after making the sin offering and the burnt offering and the peace offerings.” (v.22). Aaron, the brother of Moses, stands here as God’s appointed high priest in the early days of Israel’s journey through the wilderness, around the mid-15th century BC (commonly dated approximately 1446 BC for the Exodus). This scene takes place at the newly erected Tabernacle, likely situated at the foot of Mount Sinai in the southwestern area of the Sinai Peninsula (present-day Egypt). Through the offerings described, Aaron fulfills his high priestly duty, demonstrating that the people’s sins are atoned for and that they desire to live in fellowship with the LORD.
Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them (v.22) underscores the weighty responsibility of the high priest to intercede and pronounce blessing on the nation. By lifting up his hands, Aaron acts as a mediator, invoking God’s favor upon the people. His blessing follows the completion of the sin offering, burnt offering, and peace offering—each one representing a different dimension of reconciliation and worship (Leviticus 4:1-35; 6:8-13; 7:11-21). This ceremony foreshadows the greater High Priest, Jesus Christ, who through His final sacrifice reconciles believers to God (Hebrews 7:26-28).
The final phrase, and he stepped down after making the sin offering and the burnt offering and the peace offerings (v.22) highlights Aaron concluding his priestly service for that worship setting. He literally descends from the altar area, indicating that the appointed ritual is finished. Just as Aaron’s duties pointed Israel to the holiness and mercy of the LORD, believers today can see a reflection of God’s redemptive plan, ultimately accomplished in Jesus (John 1:29). Aaron’s faithful obedience in this moment serves as a blueprint for how God desires His people to honor Him: through genuine worship, repentance, and commitment.