Keraia
Leviticus 16

Leviticus 16:24

The Day of Atonement · Leviticus 16:1–34
Read Leviticus 16

Translations

Modern
He is to bathe himself with water in a holy place and put on his own clothes. Then he must go out and sacrifice his burnt offering and the people’s burnt offering to make atonement for himself and for the people.
Traditional
And he shall wash his flesh with water in the holy place, and put on his garments, and come forth, and offer his burnt offering, and the burnt offering of the people, and make an atonement for himself, and for the people.
Literal
And he shall bathe his flesh with the water in a holy place, and he shall put on his garments, and he shall come out, and he shall do his burnt offering and the burnt offering of the people, and he shall make atonement on behalf of himself and on behalf of the people.
Latin
…lavabit carnem suam in loco sancto, indueturque vestibus suis. Et postquam egressus obtulerit holocaustum suum, ac plebis, rogabit tam pro se quam pro populo:

Original

Hebrew
English
He is to bathe himself with water in a holy place and put on his own clothes. Then he must go out and sacrifice his burnt offering and the people’s burnt offering to make atonement for himself and for the people.

Notes

Leviticus 16:23–24

For this ceremony, the high priest had to wear special clothing used only for this purpose (Leviticus 16:4). When the ceremony ended, he had to leave the garments in the Most Holy Place. Many scholars believe that bathing and changing clothes were necessary because handling the sin offering caused ceremonial uncleanness.

Leviticus 16:1–34

The day of atonement, on the tenth day of the seventh month, was the most serious and holy day of the year for Israelites (see Leviticus 16:29; 23:27; Numbers 29:7). It was the only required fast and a Sabbath of rest for all the people (Leviticus 23:32). The Feast of Trumpets came before it and announced its arrival (Numbers 29:1, 7–11). On this day, God forgave the sins of the community. Only the high priest, Aaron, could lead the ceremony because he represented all the people. This included Aaron’s sons, the other priests. Today, the Jews call the day of atonement Yom Kippur.

Theme notes and profiles

Aaron Ancient Law Codes Atonement Community Identity

Parallels

Leviticus 23:26–32 Numbers 29:7–11

Glossary

Azazel Biblical Concept of Law Blood Calendars (Ancient and Modern) Cattle Cleanness and Uncleanness, Regulations Concerning Day of Atonement Day of Atonement Deuteronomy, Book of History of Israel Leviticus, Book of Mercy Seat Most Holy Place Offerings and Sacrifices Priesthood Scapegoat Worship

Topics

Ablution of Priests Atonement: Day of How Observed Atonement: Made by Animal Sacrifices Church: Holy Place Offerings: Ordinance Relating to the Scapegoat Priest: The Time of Moses: Ablutions of Priest: The Time of Moses: Atonement For Purification: Scriptures Relating To Purifications or Baptisms of High Priest on Day of Atonement Sacrifices were offered for the Whole Nation Scapegoat: General Scriptures Concerning the Day of Atonement: Atonement Made On for the Whole Congregation The High Priest: Duties of Making Atonement in the Most Holy Place Once a Year The High Priest: Typified Christ in Performing by Himself all the Services on Day of Atonement The Scape-Goat: Communicated Uncleanness to The High Priest