Charles Ellicott Commentary Exodus 29:1

"And this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them, to minister unto me in the priest`s office: take one young bullock and two rams without blemish," — Exodus 29:1 (ASV)

This is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them. — The consecration of the priests had been commanded in the preceding chapter (Exodus 28:41). The method of it is now laid down. It consists of five things:

1. Ablution (Exodus 29:4)
2. Investiture (Exodus 29:5–9)
3. Chrism, or anointing (Exodus 29:7)
4. Sacrifice (Exodus 29:10–23)
5. Filling the hand (Exodus 29:24)

All of these were symbolical acts, typical of things spiritual—ablution, of the putting away of impurity; investiture, of being clothed with holiness; unction, of the giving of Divine grace, etc., the entire consecration forming an acted parable, very suggestive and full of instruction to those who understood its meaning.

Take one young bullock. — The first thing to be done was to prepare the victims which would be needed, and to have them ready for when they would be required for sacrifice.

Without blemish. — Heb., perfect (See Note 1 on Exodus 12:5.)