Leviticus 16

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 16 of 27

1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they drew near before Jehovah, and died;

2 and Jehovah said to Moses, Speak to Aaron your brother, that he not come at all times into the sanctuary inside the veil, before the mercy-seat which is on the ark, so that he not die; for I will appear in the cloud on the mercy-seat.

3 Aaron shall come into the sanctuary with a young bull, a son of the herd, for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering.

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Chapter Summary

1 How the high priest must enter into the holy place. 11 The sin offering for himself. 15 The sin offering for the people. 20 The goat that makes the complete removal of all the iniquities.

Key Hebrew Words

כָּפַר make atonement H3722 · TWOT 1024
כַּפֹּרֶת mercy-seat H3727 · TWOT 1023c
חַטָּאת sin offering H2403 · TWOT 638e
עֲזָאזֵל goat for dismissal H5799 · TWOT 1593
גּוֹרָל lot H1486 · TWOT 381a
עָוֺן iniquity H5771 · TWOT 1577a

Cross-References

People & Context

Jehovah

God who appears in the cloud over the mercy-seat and ordains the yearly Day of Atonement ritual

Aaron

High priest who enters the sanctuary, offers the bull and goats, and makes atonement for himself and Israel

Moses

Recipient of Jehovah's instructions for Aaron, who carries them out as commanded

Nadab

Son of Aaron whose death, with Abihu, occasions the warning that frames this chapter

Abihu

Son of Aaron who died with Nadab drawing near before Jehovah, recalled at the chapter's opening

Timeline

Instructions for the Day of Atonement

Aaron warned not to enter sanctuary except on this day. He must bring bull (sin for himself/house) and ram (burnt). Congregation brings two goats (sin) and ram (burnt).

Leviticus 16:1-10
Atonement Rituals for the Sanctuary and People

Aaron offers bull for his sin. Takes censer of incense inside veil. Sprinkles bull's blood on mercy seat. Offers goat for Jehovah, sprinkles its blood on mercy seat. Makes atonement for sanctuary, tabernacle, altar. Confesses sins over scapegoat, sends it away. Offers burnt offerings. Burns sin offerings outside camp.

Leviticus 16:11-28
The Day Established as a Permanent Statute

The tenth day of the seventh month is a perpetual Sabbath of rest. People must afflict their souls. The priest makes atonement for all sins once a year.

Leviticus 16:29-34

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