For their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood— Houbigant renders this, And this anointing of theirs shall be for them, as well as for their posterity, for an everlasting right to the priesthood. The successors of the high-priest were personally anointed; see Leviticus 6:22; Leviticus 21.
10. Some have thought, that this anointing of Aaron and his sons was signified by these words, to be sufficient to consecrate not only them, but their posterity, to the priesthood. "As the priesthood," says Calmet, "was hereditary in the family of Aaron, there was no necessity to repeat the anointing here spoken of upon every one of that family: it was sufficient that the first priests had once received that anointing for all their successors: they anointed, however, the high-priest, even to the coming of Jesus Christ."
REFLECTIONS.—The whole, being complete, is ordered to be set up.
Here is, 1. The time: on the first day of the new year; and a happy new year's day it was to them. About a year had elapsed since their departure from Egypt; a year, full of God's mercies and their unfaithfulness. Now that God is come to dwell in the midst of them, it is to be hoped a new life will begin with a new year. Note; New years should begin with humbling reviews of the past, and humble purposes of amendment for the future.
2. The consecration. The whole was solemnly set apart for God's use and service. When we are raised from beds of sickness, and when we arise from beds of sleep, we should anew consecrate and devote to his service the tabernacle of our bodies.