John Gill Commentary Leviticus 9:22

"And Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people, and blessed them; and he came down from offering the sin-offering, and the burnt-offering, and the peace-offerings." — Leviticus 9:22 (ASV)

And Aaron lifted up his hand towards the people, and
blessed them

After he has offered the above sacrifices both for himself and them: the manner of the priests lifting up their hands when they blessed is thus described: in the provinces, priests lift up their hands to their shoulders; in the sanctuary, above their heads, except the high priest, who did not lift up his hands above the plate of gold. But R. Judah says, the high priest lifted up his hands above the plate, as it is said (Leviticus 9:22)^F6. The modern Jews describe it thus^F7: They lift up their hands to their shoulders, lifting the right hand somewhat higher than the left. Then they stretch out their hands, parting their fingers to make five spaces ('airs'): one between two fingers and two fingers, one between the forefinger and the thumb, and one between the two thumbs. They spread out their hands so that the palm may be towards the earth and the back part towards heaven. Aaron lifted his hands upwards, signifying from where he implored the blessing, and towards the people on whom he desired it might descend.

In this was a type of Christ, who, after he had offered himself a sacrifice for the sins of his people, when he was risen from the dead and about to ascend to heaven, blessed his disciples, (Luke 24:50Luke 24:51). In Christ the saints are blessed with all spiritual blessings; by him they are procured for them, through his blood, sacrifice, and satisfaction; and he ever lives to make intercession for the application of them to them, see (Ephesians 1:3) (Galatians 3:13Galatians 3:14) (Acts 3:26).

and came down from offering the sin offering, and the burnt
offering, and peace offerings ;
from the altar with joy, as the Targum of Jonathan; being glad he had done his service with acceptance; he is said to "come down", there was a rise or ascent to the altar, which, as Aben Ezra observes, was three cubits high, and therefore it is properly said he came down; which he did as soon as he had finished offering all the sacrifices.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F6: Misn. Sotah, c. 7. sect. 6.
• F7: Schulchan Aruch, par. 1. Orach Chayim, c. 128. sect. 12.