How were Aaron and his sons consecrated as priests?

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Aaron Aaron, detail of a 3rd-century fresco from the synagogue at Doura-Europus, Syria; in the National Museum, Damascus

According to the Hebrew Scriptures, Moses was commanded by God to bring Aaron and his sons near to him to be consecrated as priests. This process involved anointing and consecrating them to serve in the priesthood by a "perpetual statute."1

The act of consecration serves to separate individuals or objects from secular use and dedicate them permanently to the sacred through specific rites and ceremonies. In the context of the Old Testament, this dedication established a formal, intimate transformation in their role, ensuring that Aaron and his descendants would hold the priestly office. Following this consecration, Aaron's sons were designated to inherit the priestly garments after him.21