Leviticus 8:12

8:12 He then poured some of the anointing oil on the head of Aaron and anointed him to consecrate him.

Leviticus 21:10-12

Rules for the High Priest

21:10 “‘The high ¹  priest – who is greater than his brothers, on whose head the anointing oil is poured, who has been ordained ²  to wear the priestly garments – must neither dishevel the hair of his head nor tear his garments. ³  21:11 He must not go where there is any dead person; ⁴  he must not defile himself even for his father and his mother. 21:12 He must not go out from the sanctuary and must not profane ⁵  the sanctuary of his God, because the dedication of the anointing oil of his God is on him. I am the Lord.

Exodus 29:7

29:7 You are to take the anointing oil and pour it on his head and anoint him. ⁶ 

Exodus 29:21

29:21 You are to take some of the blood that is on the altar and some of the anointing oil and sprinkle it ⁷  on Aaron, on his garments, on his sons, and on his sons’ garments with him, so that he may be holy, ⁸  he and his garments along with his sons and his sons’ garments.

¹ tn The adjective “high” has been supplied in the translation for clarity, as in many English versions.

² tn Heb “and he has filled his hand.” For this expression see the note on Lev 8:33.

³ tn Regarding these signs of mourning see the note on Lev 10:6. His head had been anointed (v. 10a) so it must not be unkempt (v. 10b), and his garments were special priestly garments (v. 10a) so he must not tear them (v. 10b). In the translation “garments” has been employed rather than “clothes” to suggest that the special priestly garments are referred to here; cf. NRSV “nor tear his vestments.”

⁴ tc Although the MT has “persons” (plural), the LXX and Syriac have the singular “person” corresponding to the singular adjectival participle “dead” (cf. also Num 6:6).

⁵ sn Regarding “profane,” see the note on Lev 10:10 above.

⁶ sn The act of anointing was meant to set him apart for this holy service within the house of Yahweh. The psalms indicate that no oil was spared in this ritual, for it ran down his beard and to the hem of his garment. Oil of anointing was used for all major offices (giving the label with the passive adjective “mashiah” (or “messiah”) to anyone anointed. In the further revelation of Scripture, the oil came to signify the enablement as well as the setting apart, and often the Holy Spirit came on the person at the anointing with oil. The olive oil was a symbol of the Spirit in the OT as well (Zech 4:4-6). And in the NT “anointing” signifies empowerment by the Holy Spirit for service.

⁷ tn Here “it” has been supplied.

⁸ tn The verb in this instance is Qal and not Piel, “to be holy” rather than “sanctify.” The result of all this ritual is that Aaron and his sons will be set aside and distinct in their life and their service.