Aaron Blesses the People of Israel (Lev 9.22) ‣ Praying Through the Bible

Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them…

Background

Leviticus contains instructions about the physical practices of community life, priesthood, and sacrifices—not doctrines or spiritual practices. Though prayer was part of all sacrifices and many other areas of life, we learn about those when we read of the Israelites and priest doing these things, not in the instructions about them. 

The lone prayer is found in a section that contains a narrative (chapters 8–10). The first part of this passage describes the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests and the dedication of the Tabernacle and its altar. The second section describes the celebration on the eighth day: this is the story of the first time these practices were performed. First, the Tabernacle was cleansed with an offering. Then, the first sacrifice is offered as the beginning of the sacrificial tradition. Finally, the people shared a “sacred meal” in the presence of God.