Leviticus 16
Leviticus 16:1: The Great Day of Atonement This passage introduces the law for the Day of Atonement, a special and holy day when atonement was made for the sins of the people. The rules were given after the death of Aaron’s two sons, reminding everyone how serious it was to approach God without respect. Only the high priest could enter the most holy place in the tabernacle, and only on this one day each year, following God’s instructions very carefully. This law protected the people and kept the worship of God holy and respectful.v. 1: God gave these instructions after the death of Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu (v. 1; Leviticus 10:1 a). This showed Aaron and his family that if they sinned, there was still a way to make atonement and keep God’s blessing. The priests were warned to always approach God with respect and care, not carelessly as Nadab and Abihu did. v. 2: One main reason for this law was to teach respect for the most holy place, where God’s presence was shown above the ark. Aaron could not go in whenever he wanted, but only once a year, and only the high priest could enter (v. 2 b). This was to keep the place special and holy. In the time of Jesus, believers are invited to come near to God any time through faith in Christ (Hebrews 10:19,20; Hebrews 4:16 c; Ephesians 2:6; 2 Corinthians 3:18 d). v. 3: Only the high priest could do the work of this day; he had to make atonement for the people (v. 3 e). There was always a second priest ready in case something happened to the high priest. This points to Jesus, who is our only true High Priest. He alone can truly make atonement for us. v. 4: On the Day of Atonement, the high priest did not wear his special, beautiful clothes. Instead, he wore simple linen garments, like the other priests (v. 4 f). This humble clothing was fitting for a day of humility and repentance. In the same way, Jesus humbled Himself when He came to make atonement for our sins, taking on our human nature instead of showing His heavenly glory. Leviticus 16:5: The High Priest’s Duties on the Day of Atonement This section explains the detailed steps the high priest had to follow during the Day of Atonement. Jewish tradition said the high priest prepared for seven days, staying in the temple and practicing the duties. On this special day, he performed many rituals to make atonement for himself, his family, the other priests, and all the people. The ceremonies had to be done in a strict order, showing respect for God’s holiness and teaching the people about forgiveness and cleansing from sin.v. 5: The high priest brought two goats as a sin-offering for the people and a ram for a burnt offering (v. 5 g). Jewish writers say he prepared for this day by living in the temple for a week, reviewing all the rules, and practicing the ceremonies. He started early with the normal morning sacrifice, then changed into special linen clothes for the Day of Atonement. v. 6: The priest first offered a bull as a sin-offering for himself and his household (v. 6 h). He confessed his sins and the sins of his family, praying for forgiveness with his hands on the bull’s head. v. 7: Next, he brought the two goats before the Lord at the entrance to the tabernacle (v. 7 i). Both goats were presented together before the lots were cast to decide their role. – – v. 10: One goat was chosen to be the scapegoat and was sent away into the wilderness, showing that God removes sin by His mercy (v. 10 j). The other goat was killed as a sin-offering, showing that a payment must be made for sin. v. 11: The high priest then killed the bull for his own sin-offering, repeating his confession for himself and all the priests (v. 11; Psalm 135:19 k). This showed he had to be forgiven before he could help the people. v. 12-13: He took coals from the altar and incense, and went into the most holy place. He placed the coals and incense before the ark, filling the room with smoke so he would not see the divine glory directly. He left the room backwards, showing respect, and quickly let the people see he was safe. – v. 14: He then took the blood of the bull into the most holy place and sprinkled it with his finger towards the mercy seat—once above and seven times below (v. 14 l). This was done while the room was still filled with the incense smoke. The blood did not touch the mercy seat but fell to the ground, showing careful obedience to God's instructions. Leviticus 16:15: The Blood of the Sin-Offering and Cleansing the Tabernacle This section explains what the high priest did after sprinkling the blood of the bull for his own sins. Now he must make atonement for the sins of the people by using the blood of the goat. The ceremony also includes making atonement for the holy place, the rest of the tabernacle, and the altar, because all these could be affected by the sins of the people. These rituals show that even holy things need cleansing when they are among sinful people, and that atonement is needed for everyone and everything connected with worship.v. 15: After finishing with the bull, the high priest killed the goat that was the sin-offering for the people (v. 15 m). He then entered the most holy place a third time and sprinkled the goat’s blood as he did with the bull’s blood. This action was to make atonement for the holy place (v. 16 n), so that God’s presence would remain with the people, even though their sins made the place unfit. v. 16: The high priest also sprinkled the blood in the outer part of the tabernacle, where the table and incense altar were. He did this eight times with each animal’s blood. This was necessary because the tabernacle stayed in the middle of a sinful people and so needed to be cleansed regularly. It also showed that even the people’s worship and religious acts needed God’s forgiveness (v. 16 o). v. 17: During this whole ceremony, no other priest was allowed to enter the tabernacle (v. 17 p). They had to wait outside to show they were not worthy to serve until the atonement was finished. v. 18-19: Next, the high priest put some of the mixed blood from the bull and goat on the horns of the altar before the Lord (v. 18, 19; Exodus 30:10 q). Some think this was the altar of incense, while others believe it was also the altar of burnt offerings. The goal was to purify everything used in the worship of God, since the sins of the people affected all parts of the tabernacle. – Leviticus 16:20: The Scapegoat and Finishing the Day of Atonement This section describes what happened after the high priest finished presenting the sacrifices and sprinkling their blood. The main focus is on the scapegoat, which symbolized the removal of the sins of the people. The high priest also completed all the other rituals required for the Day of Atonement. These actions taught Israel about confession, forgiveness, and the complete removal of sin through God’s mercy.v. 20-21: After the blood sacrifices, the high priest placed both hands on the head of the scapegoat and confessed all the sins of Israel (v. 20, 21 r). This confession was detailed and sincere, listing all kinds of sins and their circumstances. By doing this, the priest symbolically placed the sins of the people onto the goat, according to God’s instructions. – v. 22: The scapegoat was then led away into a lonely, uninhabited place by someone chosen for that job (v. 22 s). This showed that God forgave the people’s sins and sent them far away. Jewish tradition added a red cloth to the goat, and if it turned white, they saw it as a sign of forgiveness (Jeremiah 50:20; Isaiah 1:18 t). v. 23-24: The high priest changed out of his linen garments, bathed, and put on his special clothes again (v. 23, 24 u). He then offered burnt offerings for himself and the people, giving thanks to God for forgiveness. The fat from the sin-offering was burned on the altar at this time (v. 25 v). – – v. 26-28: The person who led the scapegoat away and those who burned the sin-offerings were considered ceremonially unclean until they washed and changed their clothes. This shows that dealing with sin, even in ceremony, made a person unclean and pointed to the limits of the Old Testament sacrifices. v. 27: The rest of the flesh from the sin-offerings was burned outside the camp, far away from the altar. This showed that sin was completely removed and would not return to condemn the people. – v. 29-34: After all was finished, the high priest went back into the most holy place to collect his censer, then returned home with joy because he had done his duty and was safe. The whole process was a powerful reminder of God’s mercy and the need for careful obedience on the Day of Atonement.Leviticus 16:29: The Day of Atonement Instructions This passage provides additional details about the Day of Atonement, a yearly event in which the high priest made atonement for the sins of the people, the tabernacle, and the altar. The people were required to observe this day with rest, fasting, and humility. It emphasized the need for repentance and reminded them of God’s forgiveness. These rituals also pointed forward to the greater atonement made by Jesus Christ.v. 29: The Day of Atonement was held every year on the tenth day of the seventh month (v. 29 w). Some believe this date marked significant past events, such as the fall of Adam and Eve or the day Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the renewed covenant. This day symbolized God’s forgiveness and reconciliation with His people.v. 29, 34: The Day of Atonement was a permanent statute for Israel, to be observed every year until the ceremonial law was fulfilled by Christ. The annual sacrifices reminded the people that the legal offerings were not sufficient to fully take away sin. Only Jesus, through His one perfect sacrifice, could accomplish this forever (Hebrews 10:1-3 x).Gospel Meaning: 1. The Atonement by Christ: The rituals of the Day of Atonement symbolized two great gospel blessings—remission of sins and access to God. Christ fulfilled these symbols perfectly. He is both the high priest and the sacrifice, making complete atonement for us (Hebrews 2:17; Isaiah 53:6 y; 1 Peter 2:24 z). Unlike the high priest, Christ needed no atonement for Himself, for He was sinless (Hebrews 7:26 aa). The scapegoat symbolized how Christ bore our sins and removed them entirely, never to return (John 1:29; Micah 7:19 ab).2. Christ’s Entrance into Heaven: The high priest entering the most holy place symbolized Christ’s ascension into heaven. He entered as our representative, taking His own blood to present before God as the perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 9:7, 12 ac). His intercession for us continues as He appears before God on our behalf (Hebrews 10:19-20; Revelation 5:6 ad).3. The Duties of Faith and Repentance: The Day of Atonement also teaches us about our response to Christ’s atonement. By faith, we rely on Christ as our righteousness (Romans 5:11 ae). By repentance, we humble ourselves, confess our sins, and turn away from them, trusting in God’s promise to forgive us (1 John 1:9 af).Final Note: The year of Jubilee began with the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 25:9 ag). This reminds us that our spiritual freedom, rest, and inheritance are all made possible through Christ’s sacrifice. By His atonement, we receive peace with God and the glorious freedom of being His children. – v. 31: On this day, the people were required to rest completely from all work. It was a "Sabbath of rest," dedicated entirely to humbling themselves before God (v. 31 ah). The prophet Isaiah refers to this as a day of fasting and repentance (Isaiah 58:13 ai).
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