Lev 23:23-32 | MHM | STEP | Leviticus 23:23–32: The Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement This section describes two important holy days in the seventh month: the Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement. God set these days apart for special worship and reflection. The Feast of Trumpets marked the beginning of the civil new year and was a time for the people to remember God’s great works and prepare their hearts for the Day of Atonement, a day of deep repentance and seeking forgiveness (Leviticus 23:23

‏ Leviticus 23:23-32

Leviticus 23:23–32: The Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement

This section describes two important holy days in the seventh month: the Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement. God set these days apart for special worship and reflection. The Feast of Trumpets marked the beginning of the civil new year and was a time for the people to remember God’s great works and prepare their hearts for the Day of Atonement, a day of deep repentance and seeking forgiveness (Leviticus 23:23–32 ^a).

vv. 24–25: The Feast of Trumpets was held on the first day of the seventh month. This month was once counted as the first month, which is why it also started the year of jubilee (Leviticus 25:8 ^b). The people rested from work and brought special offerings to God. What made this feast unique was the loud blowing of trumpets throughout the day, from sunrise to sunset. This sound reminded the people of the trumpet at Mount Sinai when God gave the law (Psalm 81:3; Psalm 104:7 ^c; Job 38:6,7 ^d). It might also recall the creation of the world, which some believe happened in autumn. Spiritually, the trumpet encouraged people to wake up, examine themselves, and prepare for the Day of Atonement. The trumpet also points to the preaching of the gospel, calling people to serve God (Isaiah 27:13 ^e).

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vv. 26–32: The Day of Atonement is repeated here, focusing on what the people must do. On this day, everyone had to stop all work, just like a weekly Sabbath (Leviticus 23:28,30,31 ^f). The reason was that it was a day for making atonement with God, which required all their attention. The people had to “afflict their souls,” which means to humble themselves and fast. Anyone who did not do this would be cut off from the community (Leviticus 23:27,29,32 ^g). The day of fasting and repentance started in the evening of the ninth day and lasted until the evening of the tenth. This showed them the importance of preparation before meeting with God, and the value of setting aside time for spiritual things.

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