Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Leviticus 9:2
And he said unto Aaron, Take thee a young calf for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without blemish, and offer [them] before the LORD.
2. a bull calf ] Only here is a calf appointed for a Sin-Offering. According to Jewish tradition, expressed in Targ. Jon., it was to remind Aaron of his sin in making the golden calf at Horeb (Exodus 32).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 2. Take thee a young calf, &c.] As these sacrifices were for Aaron himself, they are furnished by himself and not by the people, for they were designed to make atonement for his own sin. See Le 4:3. And this is supposed by the Jews to have been intended to make an atonement for his sin in the matter of the golden calf. This is very probable, as no formal atonement for that transgression had yet been made.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
A young calf, Heb. a calf, the son of a bull or cow; which may seem to be added purposely to intimate that it was not a young calf properly so called, but a young bullock, for that was the sacrifice enjoined for the high priests sin-offering, Lev 4:3. Though it be not material, if this be a young calf, and that a young bull, because the grounds and ends of the several sacrifices differ, that Le 4; being for his particular sin, and this for his own and familys sins in general, and therefore no wonder if the sacrifices also differ. For a sin offering, for himself and his own sins, which was an evidence of the imperfection of that priesthood, and of the necessity of another and a better.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And he said unto Aaron,…. In the presence of the people of Israel:
take thee a young calf for a sin [offering]; one not exceeding a year old, as in Le 9:3 but this was not for the sin of making the calf only, to which the Jewish writers restrain it, but for all other sins of his, which it was necessary should be expiated before he offered sacrifices for the sins of others:
and a ram for a burnt offering; being a strong and innocent creature, was a proper emblem of Christ, the Lamb of God, that takes away by his sacrifice the sins of men:
without blemish; this character belongs, as Aben Ezra observes, both to the calf and ram, which were both to be without spot, and so proper types of Christ the Lamb without spot and blemish, free both from original and actual sin:
and offer [them] before the Lord; on the altar of burnt offering, which stood in the court of the tabernacle near where Jehovah was, to whom every sacrifice for sin was to be offered, being committed against him, and whose justice must be satisfied for it.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(2) A young calf for a sin offering.Literally, a calf, the son of a bull, which, according to the canonical law, was a calf of the second year, whilst a steer, the son of a bull, rendered in the Authorised Version by young bullock, was defined to be three years old, or in its third year. (See Lev. 4:3.) Before they could mediate for the forgiveness of the people, Aaron and his sons had first to bring a sin offering for themselves, in expiation probably for the feeling of pride which they might have fostered at having been so highly distinguished and chosen to be the mediators of the people. 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 whom he represented. As this is the only instance in which a calf is appointed for a sin offering, and as the offerer who is ordered to bring this exceptional sacrifice is Aaron, Jewish tradition will have it that it was designed to refer to the sin of the golden calf which he made for the people. (Exo. 32:4-6.) So old and universal is this interpretation, that it is expressed in the ancient Chaldee Version of the Pentateuch. This sense seems to derive support from Lev. 9:7.
Before the Lord.That is, before the door of the tent of meeting (see Lev. 1:5; Lev. 1:11), on the altar of burnt offering.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2. Calf for a sin offering The Hebrew for calf also signifies calf image.
Exo 32:4
Without blemish See Lev 1:3, note.
Before the Lord This was at the door of the tabernacle. Lev 1:3, note.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And he said to Aaron, “Take a calf of the herd for a purification for sin offering, and a ram for a whole burnt offering, without blemish, and offer them before Yahweh.” ’
It is noteworthy that instead of the mature bull ox (Lev 4:3) Aaron is to offer a bull calf for his own purification for sin offering. This is the only time when a calf is offered. Some see it as having in mind his failure with respect to the golden calf (Exo 32:4) which is now especially atoned for. But the significance may rather lie in the fact that this is not for a particular sin, nor is it to cleanse the Holy Place. His priesthood is yet in its infancy. He has not yet failed as a priest, and he has not yet entered the Holy Place, and a bull ox has already been offered for him in 8:14. Thus the bull ox here is younger, and in its infancy. (It may also have had the practical purpose that it would take less time for the flames to consume it, with so much to follow).
With it he will offer a ram for a whole burnt offering as in his consecration. Both are to be without blemish. They are to be offered to Yahweh.
When we consider the process of consecration that he and the priests have already gone through it makes us recognise that none of these sacrifices could really deal with the problem of sin. Continually therefore the fact of his sinfulness has to be brought before God, and the means provided by which he can find ceremonial purification and atonement. Really, like all who were accepted in Old Testament days, they were accepted by the unmerited love and compassion of God, with in mind the Great Sacrifice yet to come.
And as Aaron and his sons had to offer purification for sin and whole burnt offerings for themselves constantly before Yahweh, so are we to come continually into His light and seek for the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, to cleanse us from all sin (1Jn 1:7), and to continually rededicate ourselves to His service. It is a reminder that while on earth none of us are wholly free from the tyranny of sin. The one who thinks that he stands, should ever take heed lest he fall.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Some have thought that a young calf being appointed for the sin-offering of Aaron, was to remind him of his former transgression in making the golden calf: that thereby he might never lose sight of his own unworthiness, while the LORD had called him to such an exalted rank as the High Priest before the people. Exo 32:1-6 . Reader! do not overlook the preciousness of thy High Priest, in this relation, but read what Paul saith, Heb 7:26-27 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Lev 9:2 And he said unto Aaron, Take thee a young calf for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without blemish, and offer [them] before the LORD.
Ver. 2. Take thee a young calf ] In remembrance, and for the remission of Aaron’s sin about the golden calf; as some Hebrews are of opinion.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
sin offering. Hebrew. chat’a. App-43.
offer. Hebrew. karab.
before the LORD = before the door of the tent of meeting (Lev 1:5, Lev 1:11).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
a young: Lev 9:7, Lev 9:8, Lev 4:3, Lev 8:14, Exo 29:1, 2Co 5:21, Heb 5:3, Heb 7:27, Heb 10:10-14
and a ram: Lev 8:18
Reciprocal: Gen 15:9 – General Exo 29:14 – it is a Lev 9:3 – a calf Ezr 6:9 – young bullocks
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Lev 9:2. For a sin-offering For himself and his own sins, which was an evidence of the imperfection of that priesthood, and of the necessity of a better. The Jewish writers suggest, that a calf was appointed to remind him of his sin in making the golden calf. Thereby he had rendered himself for ever unworthy of the honour of the priesthood; on which he had reason to reflect with sorrow and shame, in all the atonements he made.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
9:2 And he said unto Aaron, Take thee a young calf for a {b} sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without blemish, and offer [them] before the LORD.
(b) Aaron enters into the possession of the priesthood: and offers the four principal sacrifices, the burnt offering, the sin offering, the peace offering, and the meat offering.