172 passages · God
While shepherding, Moses sees a bush burning without being consumed. God calls to him from it, tells him to remove his sandals on holy ground, and identifies himself as the God of Moses' ancestors.
The LORD says he will come in a dense cloud so the people will hear. Moses is to consecrate them, set a boundary around the mountain, and have them ready by the third day.
On the third day thunder, lightning, a thick cloud, and a loud ram's horn make the camp tremble. Moses leads the people to the foot of the mountain, which is wrapped in smoke and shakes, and God answers Moses in the thunder.
The LORD calls Moses up and tells him to warn the people and even the priests not to break through to see him. Moses reminds him of the boundary, and God tells him to bring Aaron up.
The people tremble at the thunder and smoke and ask Moses to speak instead of God. Moses says God has come to test them and keep them from sinning, and he approaches the thick darkness.
Israel must not curse God or its ruler and must give firstfruits and firstborn to the LORD. As a holy people, they must not eat meat torn by wild animals.
God gives dimensions for a gold-covered wooden ark with carrying poles, to hold the Testimony, and a gold mercy seat with two cherubim. God says he will meet and speak with Moses there.
God describes a veil that will divide the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, where the ark sits, and where to place the table and lampstand. A curtain will also cover the tent entrance.
God directs Moses to bring Aaron and his four sons for priestly service. Skilled craftsmen are to make sacred garments to give them dignity, using gold, colored yarn and linen.
God describes a blue robe with gold bells and pomegranates on the hem, and a gold plate reading HOLY TO THE LORD fixed to the turban. The bells sound as Aaron enters the sanctuary, and the plate helps make the people's gifts acceptable.
God directs that the remaining tunics, turban and sash be made, along with garments for Aaron's sons and linen undergarments. Priests must wear them when serving so they do not incur guilt and die.
God outlines how to consecrate Aaron and his sons: gather a bull, rams and bread, wash them, dress them in the holy garments, and anoint Aaron with oil. The priesthood is to be theirs by a lasting statute.
God tells Moses to make a bronze basin between the tent and altar. Aaron and his sons must wash their hands and feet before serving so that they will not die.
God gives a recipe of myrrh, cinnamon, cane, cassia and olive oil for oil to anoint the tent, its furnishings and the priests. It may not be used on ordinary people or copied.
God gives a formula for fragrant incense of four spices with salt, to be placed before the Testimony. It is holy and must not be copied for personal enjoyment.
The LORD tells Moses to leave for the promised land with an angel, but says he will not go among such a stiff-necked people lest he destroy them. The people mourn and remove their jewelry.
The workers make the blue robe with bells and pomegranates, the linen tunics, turbans, headbands, undergarments and sashes, and the gold plate engraved HOLY TO THE LORD. Each step is done as the LORD commanded.
When someone unintentionally wrongs the LORD's holy things, he brings a ram as a guilt offering. He must also repay the value plus a fifth to the priest.
After the memorial portion is burned, Aaron's sons eat the rest of the grain offering as unleavened bread in the courtyard. It is most holy and a permanent share for the priests.
The sin offering is slaughtered where the burnt offering is, and the priest who offers it eats it in the holy courtyard. If its blood was brought into the tent, the meat must instead be burned.
A peace offering of thanksgiving comes with cakes and must be eaten the same day. Vow or freewill offerings can be eaten for two days, and anyone unclean who eats the meat is cut off from the people.
Moses washes Aaron and his sons and dresses Aaron in the priestly garments, including the breastpiece and turban. He anoints the tabernacle, its furnishings, and Aaron with oil, then dresses Aaron's sons.
Moses slaughters the second ram and puts its blood on Aaron's and his sons' right ear, thumb, and big toe. Portions of the ram and bread are waved before the LORD, and Moses sprinkles oil and blood on them and their garments.
Aaron blesses the people, and Moses and Aaron then come out of the Tent and bless them again. The glory of the LORD appears, and fire consumes the offering, so the people shout for joy and fall on their faces.
Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu offer fire the LORD had not commanded, and fire from the LORD kills them. Moses has their cousins carry the bodies out of the camp and tells Aaron and his other sons not to mourn openly.
The LORD tells Aaron that he and his sons must not drink wine or strong drink when they enter the Tent of Meeting. They must tell holy from common and clean from unclean, so they can teach the Israelites.
Moses is angry that the sin offering goat was burned, not eaten in the holy place. Aaron explains that after what happened to his sons that day, eating it seemed wrong, and Moses accepts this.
Israelites may eat animals that have a split hoof and chew the cud. The camel, rock badger, rabbit, and pig fail one test and are unclean, so their meat and carcasses are not to be touched.
Anything in the seas or streams with fins and scales may be eaten. Sea creatures without both are detestable, and their meat is not to be eaten.
This section lists birds that are detestable, such as eagles, vultures, ravens, and owls. It also bans most winged insects that walk on four legs, but allows locusts, crickets, and grasshoppers.