Leviticus – Chapter 9

Old Testament24 Verses

1And when the eighth day was come, Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the ancients of Israel, and said to Aaron:

2Take of the herd a calf for sin, and a ram for a holocaust, both without blemish, and offer them before the Lord.

3And to the children of Israel thou shalt say: Take ye a he goat for sin, and a calf, and a lamb, both of a year old, and without blemish for a holocaust.

4Also a bullock and a ram for peace offerings. And immolate them before the Lord, offering for the sacrifice of every one of them flour tempered with oil: for to day the Lord will appear to you.

5They brought therefore all things that Moses had commanded before the door of the tabernacle: where when all the multitude stood,

6Moses said: This is the word, which the Lord hath commanded. Do it, and his glory will appear to you.

7And he said to Aaron: Approach to the altar, and offer sacrifice for thy sin. Offer the holocaust, and pray for thyself and for the people: and when thou hast slain the people's victim, pray for them, as the Lord hath commanded.

8And forthwith Aaron, approaching to the altar, immolated the calf for his sin.

9And his sons brought him the blood of it: and he dipped his finger therein, and touched the horns of the altar, and poured the rest at the foot thereof.

10And the fat, and the little kidneys, and the caul of the liver, which are for sin, he burnt upon the altar, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

11But the flesh and skins thereof he burnt with fire without the camp.

12He immolated also the victim of holocaust: and his sons brought him the blood thereof, which he poured round about on the altar.

13And the victim being cut into pieces, they brought to him the head and all the members: all which he burnt with fire upon the altar.

14Having first washed the entrails and the feet with water.

15Then offering for the sin of the people, he slew the he goat: and expiating the altar,

16He offered the holocaust.

17Adding in the sacrifice the libations, which are offered withal, and burning them upon the altar, besides the ceremonies of the morning holocaust.

18He immolated also the bullock and the ram, and peace offerings of the people: and his sons brought him the blood, which he poured upon the altar round about.

19The fat also of the bullock, and the rump of the ram, and the two little kidneys with their fat, and the caul of the liver,

20They put upon the breasts. And after the fat was burnt upon the altar,

21Aaron separated their breasts, and the right shoulders, elevating them before the Lord, as Moses had commanded.

22And stretching forth his hands to the people, he blessed them. And so the victims for sin, and the holocausts, and the peace offerings being finished, he came down.

23And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the testimony, and afterwards came forth and blessed the people. And the glory of the Lord appeared to all the multitude.

24And, behold, a fire, coming forth from the Lord, devoured the holocaust, and the fat that was upon the altar: which when the multitude saw, they praised the Lord, falling on their faces.

Reflection for Today

Leviticus Chapter 9 contributes to the biblical theme of holiness, sacrifice, and priestly worship, which Catholic teaching develops throughout the Catechism. Catholic theology sees these sacrifices fulfilled in Christ's one perfect sacrifice (CIC 1539-1545). The enduring truth that Be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy calls us to response.

The Second Vatican Council's Dei Verbum teaches that "Sacred Scripture is the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the breath of the Holy Spirit" (DV 9). This chapter, like all Scripture, is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness.

Catholic tradition encourages daily engagement with Scripture, whether through the Liturgy of the Hours, personal reading, or group study. The Catechism teaches that "prayer should accompany the reading of Sacred Scripture, so that a dialogue takes place between God and man" (CIC 2653). May your reading of this chapter be a true encounter with the living God.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

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