Charles Ellicott Commentary Leviticus 9

And it came to pass on the eighth day. —That is, the day following the seven days of consecration. According to ancient tradition this was the first of the month Nisan, or March.

Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders. —That is, the same elders, the representatives of the people, who were called to attest the imposing ceremony of consecration , are now also summoned to witness how the newly-installed priests entered upon the active duties of their ministrations. Like newly-born children who remain seven days in a state of uncleanness and enter into the covenant privileges of the congregation on the eighth day , so the newly-created priests after a purging of seven days commenced their sacred duties and partook of their privileges on this symbolical day.

A young calf for a sin offering. Literally, this means a calf, the son of a bull. According to the canonical law, this was a calf in its second year, while a steer (a son of a bull, translated in the Authorized Version as “young bullock”) was defined as three years old, or in its third year . Before they could mediate for the people's forgiveness, Aaron and his sons first had to bring a sin offering for themselves, probably in expiation for any feeling of pride they might have fostered from being so highly distinguished and chosen as the people's mediators.

This sin offering, however, showed him that, though a high priest, he was beset with the same infirmities and stood in need of the same atonement as the people he represented. Since this is the only instance where a calf is appointed for a sin offering, and since the offerer commanded to bring this exceptional sacrifice is Aaron, Jewish tradition maintains that it was designed to refer to the sin of the golden calf which he made for the people (Exodus 32:4–6). This interpretation is so old and universal that it is expressed in the ancient Chaldee Version of the Pentateuch. This understanding seems to find support in Leviticus 9:7.

Before the Lord. That is, before the door of the tent of meeting (Leviticus 1:11), on the altar of burnt offering.

And to the children of Israel you shall speak. —That is, Aaron, who was now constituted high priest, was to give the orders about the sacrifices. It will be seen that the elders of the people whom Moses summoned in Leviticus 9:1 to witness on behalf of the people the first ministrations of the priests, are here called “the children of Israel,” thus showing that the representatives acted for the people. Hence the two terms are interchanged , which accounts for the fact that the Greek Version (Septuagint) renders it here by “elders.”

A kid of the goats ... and a calf. —Better, a shaggy-haired he-goat. (See Leviticus 4:23 and following.)

Also a bullock and a ram. —The elders were thus to bring on behalf of the people:

1. a he-goat for a sin offering;
2. a yearling calf and a yearling sheep for a burnt offering; and
3. an ox and a ram for a peace offering.

A meat offering mingled with oil. —The oil was to be added because, with the exception of the small portion offered to the Lord, the meat offering was the privilege of the officiating priests who consumed it along with their share of the sacrificial animals, and thus the cakes had to be made palatable for the priestly meal. .

For to-day the Lord will appear unto you. —That is, prepare and sanctify yourselves with these sacrifices, because the Lord will manifest himself in a special way to signify his approval of the inauguration of Aaron and his family to the priesthood.

And they brought. — That is, Aaron and his sons, according to the command of Moses, and the elders on behalf of the people, and according to the order of Aaron, who was directed by Moses to do so, brought the previously mentioned sacrifices.

And all the congregation ... — That is, the elders who represented the people, whom Moses summoned , and as many of the people as could find room assembled before the sanctuary in the courtyard to witness the newly-installed priests officiating for the first time.