SEV Biblia, Chapter 8:23
y lo degolló; y tomó Moisés de su sangre, y puso sobre la ternilla de la oreja derecha de Aarón, y sobre el dedo pulgar de su mano derecha, y sobre el dedo pulgar de su pie derecho.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Leviticus 8:23
Verse 23. Put it upon the tip of Aaron's right ear, &c.] See this significant ceremony explained in the note on Exod. xxix. 20. See the note "Exod. xxix. 20". Calmet remarks that the consecration of the high priest among the Romans bore a considerable resemblance to the consecration of the Jewish high priest. "The Roman priest, clothed with a garment of silk, his head covered with a crown of gold adorned with sacred ribbons, was conducted into a subterranean place, over which there was a floor of planks pierced through with many holes. On this floor they sacrificed a bullock, whose blood was freely poured out on the planks or floor, which running through the holes fell upon the priest, who stood under to receive this sacred aspersion, and who, in order to be completely covered with the blood, took care to present the whole of his body, his clothes, face, eyes, nose, lips, and even his tongue, to receive the drops of blood falling through the pierced floor above. Being completely covered with this sanguineous shower, he ascended from his subterranean place, and was acknowledged and adored by the people as Pontifex Maximus, or supreme high priest." These rites, which bear a striking allusion to those used in the consecration of Aaron, and from which they were probably borrowed, and disguised by the introduction of their own superstitions, are particularly described by Aurelius Prudentius, in his poem entitled Romani Martyris Supplicium, from which I shall select those verses, the subject of which is given above, as the passage is curious, and the work not common. "Summus sacerdos nempe sub terram scrobe Acta in profundum consecrandus mergitur, Mire infulatus, festa vittis tempora Nectens, corona tum repexus aurea, Cinctu Gabino sericam fultus togam.
Tabulis superne strata texunt pulpita, Rimosa rari pegmatis compagibus, Scindunt subinde vel terebrant aream, Crebroque lignum perforant acumine, Pateat minutis ut frequens hiatibus.] Hic ut statuta est immolanda bellua, Pectus sacrata dividunt venabulo, Eructat amplum volnus undam sanguinis-&c.
Tum per frequentes mille rimarum vias Illapsus imber, tabidum rorem pluit, Defossus intus quem sacerdos excipit, Guttas ad omnes turpe subjectans caput, Et veste et omni putrefactus corpore: Quin os supinat, obvias offert genas Supponit aures, labra, nares objicit, Oculos et ipsos perluit liquoribus, Nec jam palato parcit, et linguam rigat, Donec cruorem totus atrum combibat.] Procedit inde pontifex vlsu horridus-&c.
Omnes salutant atque adorant eminus, Vilis quod illum sanguls, et bos mortuus Foedis latentem sub cavernis laverint." Of these lines the reader will not be displeased to find the following poetical version:- "For when, with sacred pomp and solemn state, Their great high priest the Romans consecrate, His silken vest in Gabine cincture bound, A festal fillet twines his temples round: And, while aloft the gorgeous mitre shines, His awful brow a golden crown confines.
In a deep dyke, for mystic ritual made, He stands, surrounded with terrific shade.
High o'er his holy head a stage they place, Adorn with paintings, and with statues grace; Then with keen piercers perforate the floor, Till thronging apertures admit no more.
Thither the victim ox is now convey'd, To glut the vengeance of the thirsty blade.
The sacred spear his sturdy throat divides, Down, instant streaming, gush the gory tides, Through countless crevices the gaping wood Distils corrupted dew and smoking blood; Drop after drop, in swift succession shed, Falls on the holy pontiff's mitred head; While, to imbibe the sanctifying power, His outspread garments drink the crimson shower; Then on his back in reeking streams he lies, And laves in livid blood his lips and eyes; Bares every limb, exposes every pore, To catch the virtue of the streaming gore; With open mouth expects the falling flood, Moistens his palate and his tongue with blood; Extends his ears to meet the sanguine rain, Nor lets a single drop descend in vain.
Then from the gloomy cave comes forth to light, Bathed in black blood, and horrible to sight! - By the vile torrent, and the victim slain, In the dark cavern cleansed from mortal stain, Their priest, enveloped in atoning gore, With trembling awe surrounding throngs adore." Prudentius was born about the middle of the fourth century, and was no doubt intimately acquainted with the circumstances he describes.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 14-36 - In these types we see our great High Priest, even Christ Jesus solemnly appointed, anointed, and invested with his sacred office, by his own blood, and the influences of his Holy Spirit. He sanctifies the ordinances of religion, to the benefit of his people and the honour of God the Father; who for his sake accepts our worship, though it is polluted with sin. We may also rejoice, that he is a merciful an faithful High Priest, full of compassion to the feeble-minded an tempest-tossed soul. All true Christians are consecrated to be spiritual priests. We should seriously ask ourselves, whether in ou daily walk we study to maintain this character? and abound in spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Christ? If so, still there is n cause for boasting. Let us not despise our fellow-sinners; but remembering what we have done, and how we are saved, let us seek an pray for their salvation __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
וישׁחט 7819 ויקח 3947 משׁה 4872 מדמו 1818 ויתן 5414 על 5921 תנוך 8571 אזן 241 אהרן 175 הימנית 3233 ועל 5921 בהן 931 ידו 3027 הימנית 3233 ועל 5921 בהן 931 רגלו 7272 הימנית׃ 3233
