Leviticus – Chapter 9

Old Testament24 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 9 of Leviticus begins: "And when the eighth day was come, Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the ancients of Israel, and said to Aaron:" The chapter centers on Aaron and Moses. Across its 24 verses, two threads run through the text: worship and praise and sin and divine judgment. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

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.

Important Verses in Leviticus 9

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

Leviticus 9:1

Also 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.

Leviticus 9:4

And 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.

Leviticus 9:10

And 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.

Leviticus 9:23

Historical Context

Leviticus belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for the priests (sons of Aaron) and the whole assembly of Israel. Chapter 9 of 27 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 24 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Aaron and Moses, the principal figures named in this chapter. The passage starts with these words: "And when the eighth day was come, Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the ancients of Israel, and said to Aaron:" The final verse reads: "And, behold, a fire, coming forth from the Lord, devoured the holocaust, and the fat that was upon the altar: which…" In terms of historical background, Leviticus is the liturgical handbook of ancient Israel, given at Sinai to teach a newly freed people how to worship a holy God. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Leviticus around Core traditions from the wilderness period; final form by the 5th century BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Moses; contains priestly legislation preserved by the Levitical priesthood

When It Was Written

Core traditions from the wilderness period; final form by the 5th century BC

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense of Leviticus 9 presents a concrete episode in the history of holiness, sacrifice, and priestly worship. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And when the eighth day was come, Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the ancients of Israel, and said to Aaron:" The passage repeatedly touches on worship and praise.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of holiness, sacrifice, and priestly worship. Catholic theology sees these sacrifices fulfilled in Christ's one perfect sacrifice (CIC 1539-1545). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 2559).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.

People in This Chapter

Aaron6 mentionsMoses6 mentions

Reflection for Today

Leviticus Chapter 9, containing 24 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation, offers a distinct passage for prayer and meditation.

The Magisterium teaches that every biblical passage must be read in light of Christ, the center of Scripture (CIC 1032). Here the emphasis falls on courage in witness to the Gospel, which shapes how the Church understands holiness, sacrifice, and priestly worship.

As you continue through Leviticus, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Leviticus Chapter 9 about?

Leviticus 9 contains 24 verses. It opens with "And when the eighth day was come, Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the ancients of Israel, and said to Aaron:" and closes with "And, behold, a fire, coming forth from the Lord, devoured the holocaust, and the fat that was upon the altar: which…". The book as a whole is law and liturgical instruction.

What is a key verse in Leviticus 9?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And when the eighth day was come, Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the ancients of Israel, and said to Aaron:" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Leviticus Chapter 9?

This chapter mentions Aaron, Moses.

Who wrote Leviticus and when?

Traditionally attributed to Moses; contains priestly legislation preserved by the Levitical priesthood. Core traditions from the wilderness period; final form by the 5th century BC.

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