Leviticus 16 summary meaning ai explained commentary

Leviticus 16 meaning explained in AI Summary

The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)

Holiest Day of the Year: This chapter describes the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the holiest day in the Israelite calendar. It was a day dedicated to atonement and cleansing for the entire nation's sins committed throughout the year.
High Priest's Special Role: The high priest played a central role in the Day of Atonement rituals. He performed sacrifices for himself, the priests, and the entire congregation, symbolizing the need for atonement for all levels of society.
Two Goats for Sacrifice: A unique aspect of the Day of Atonement involved the use of two goats. One goat was sacrificed for the Lord, while the other was symbolically loaded with the sins of the people and driven away into the wilderness. This act represented the removal and cleansing of sin.

Leviticus 16 details the rituals and significance of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the year in Judaism.

Preparation (vv. 1-10):

God instructs Moses about the proper procedures for atonement after the deaths of Nadab and Abihu (who died after offering unauthorized fire before God).
Aaron, the High Priest, is to enter the Holy of Holies (the innermost chamber of the tabernacle) only once a year, on Yom Kippur, after careful purification rituals.
He must bring two goats: one for a sin offering to the Lord and one as a scapegoat.

The Ritual (vv. 11-28):

1. Sacrifice for the High Priest and his household: Aaron sacrifices a bull for his own sins and the sins of his household.

2. Entering the Holy of Holies: Aaron enters the Holy of Holies with the blood of the bull and sprinkles it on the mercy seat (the cover of the Ark of the Covenant) as atonement for his sins and the sins of his household.

3. Sacrifice for the people: Aaron sacrifices the goat chosen by lot for the Lord as a sin offering for the people. He enters the Holy of Holies again, sprinkles the goat's blood on the mercy seat, and purifies the tabernacle from the uncleanness of the Israelites.

4. The Scapegoat: Aaron lays his hands on the head of the live goat, confessing the sins of the Israelites over it. This goat, symbolically carrying their sins, is then led away into the wilderness by a designated person.

Purification and Conclusion (vv. 29-34):

The Day of Atonement is a day of complete rest and fasting for all Israelites.
The person who led away the scapegoat and the one who disposed of the sacrificed animals must wash themselves and their clothes before returning to the camp.
This ritual is to be observed annually as a lasting ordinance for the atonement of the Israelites' sins.

Significance:

Atonement: The chapter emphasizes the need for atonement and God's provision for it through sacrifice.
Holiness of God: The elaborate rituals and restrictions highlight God's absolute holiness and the seriousness of sin.
Forgiveness and Renewal: Yom Kippur offers a powerful image of forgiveness and a fresh start for the Israelites.

Leviticus 16 provides a detailed picture of ancient Israelite religious practice and offers profound theological insights into sin, atonement, and God's relationship with his people.

Leviticus 16 bible study ai commentary

Leviticus 16 outlines the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, the most sacred day in Israel's calendar. It presents the pinnacle of the sacrificial system, establishing a single, annual ritual to cleanse the tabernacle, the priesthood, and the entire nation from the accumulated uncleanness and sins of the past year. This complex ceremony, centered on the High Priest's unique entry into the Most Holy Place and the two goats, ensures God's holy presence can continue to dwell among his sinful people, providing a powerful and detailed foreshadowing of the complete atoning work of Jesus Christ.

Leviticus 16 context

The chapter is set at Mount Sinai after Israel has constructed the Tabernacle. The immediate context is the death of Aaron's two sons, Nadab and Abihu (Lev 10), who died for offering "unauthorized fire." This event underscores the immense danger of approaching God's holy presence improperly. The Day of Atonement ritual provides the only authorized way for the High Priest to enter the Most Holy Place (the Qodesh ha-Qodashim) and secures a temporary, corporate solution to the problem of a holy God dwelling among a sinful people. Ancient Near Eastern cultures had rituals for purifying temples and rituals involving a "scapegoat" to remove communal evil, but the biblical account is unique in its monotheistic focus, its emphasis on God's own provision for atonement, and its integration into a moral and covenantal framework.

Leviticus 16:1-2

The Lord spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they drew near before the Lord and died, and the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron your brother not to come at any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat that is on the ark, so that he may not die. For I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat.”

In-depth-analysis

Contextual Trigger: The instruction is explicitly linked to the deaths of Nadab and Abihu (Lev 10:1-2), establishing a tone of holy fear and emphasizing that access to God is on His terms alone.
Restricted Access: Aaron, the High Priest, is forbidden from entering the "Holy Place inside the veil" (the Most Holy Place) at will. This space is not an open office. Access is limited to once a year on this specific day.
The Mercy Seat: The kapporet (כַּפֹּרֶת), or mercy seat, is the lid of the Ark of the Covenant, where God’s presence dwells between the cherubim. This is the place of atonement.
The Cloud: God’s presence, the Shekinah glory, is manifested as a cloud. This both reveals and conceals His glory, as seeing it fully would mean death.

Bible references

Leviticus 10:1-2: Now Nadab and Abihu... offered unauthorized fire... and fire came out from before the LORD and consumed them. (The direct historical cause for this warning).
Exodus 25:22: There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you. (The function of the mercy seat as God's throne).
Hebrews 9:7: ...but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood. (NT confirmation of this limited access).

Cross references

1 Kgs 8:10-12 (Glory cloud fills temple); Heb 4:16 (Now we can approach the throne of grace with confidence); Heb 10:19-20 (Christ's death opened a new and living way through the veil).

Leviticus 16:3-4

But in this way Aaron shall come into the Holy Place: with a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. He shall put on the holy linen coat and shall have the linen undergarment on his body, and he shall tie the linen sash around his waist, and wear the linen turban; these are the holy garments. He shall bathe his body in water and then put them on.

In-depth-analysis

Personal Atonement First: Before he can act for the people, Aaron must secure atonement for himself and his household with a bull. The priest is not inherently worthy.
Linen Garments: He wears simple, white linen garments, not his glorious, multi-colored high-priestly vestments (Exo 28). Linen symbolized purity, humility, and simplicity. He enters not as a dignitary but as a humble, cleansed servant.
Ceremonial Washing: Bathing signifies total purification before entering the sacred space and handling sacred things.

Bible references

Hebrews 9:7: ...not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. (High priest atoning for himself first).
Exodus 28:39-43: Description of the elaborate "garments for glory and for beauty" that are being set aside for this humble task.
Philippians 2:7: but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant. (Echoes the humility Christ displayed, setting aside his glory).

Cross references

Rev 19:8 (Fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints); Ezek 44:17-18 (Priests in the future temple wearing linen); Heb 7:26-27 (Christ as a High Priest who had no need to offer sacrifice for His own sin).

Leviticus 16:5-10

And he shall take from the congregation of the people of Israel two male goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering... And Aaron shall cast lots over the two goats, one lot for the Lord and the other lot for Azazel. And Aaron shall present the goat on which the lot fell for the Lord and use it as a sin offering, but the goat on which the lot fell for Azazel shall be presented alive before the Lord to make atonement over it, that it may be sent away into the wilderness to Azazel.

In-depth-analysis

Corporate Sacrifice: The two goats are taken from the congregation. This is an offering for the entire community.
Two Goats, One Offering: The two goats function as a single sin offering, demonstrating two aspects of atonement: propitiation and expiation.
- Propitiation: The goat "for the LORD" has its blood shed to satisfy God’s holy justice.
- Expiation: The goat "for Azazel" has the sins of the people placed upon it and is sent away, signifying the complete removal of sin.
Casting Lots: The decision of which goat serves which function is left to God. This removes human agency and highlights divine appointment.
Azazel (עֲזָאזֵל): This word is intensely debated. The primary interpretations are:
1. For Removal/Dismissal: Derived from a Hebrew root meaning to "send away." The goat is for "complete removal."
2. A Place: A reference to a desolate, remote location in the wilderness.
3. A Demon/Fallen Angel: In this view (found in some Second Temple literature like 1 Enoch), sin is sent back to its demonic source.

Bible references

John 1:29: Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (Christ's work encompasses the removal aspect of the scapegoat).
Isaiah 53:6: and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (The theological basis for transference of sin to a substitute).
Hebrews 9:28: so Christ... will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. (Sin has been dealt with and removed).

Cross references

Ps 103:12 (Removing transgressions); Rom 3:25 (Christ as propitiation); Mic 7:19 (Casting sins into the sea); Pro 16:33 (Lots cast, but the decision is the LORD's).

Polemics

The idea of sending an animal to a demonic entity (Azazel) seems to contradict the strict monotheism of the Torah. Most Christian and many Jewish scholars prefer the interpretation of Azazel as "for complete removal" or as a place name. It acts as a polemic against pagan thought: Israel does not appease demons. Instead, they demonstrate that sin is banished from the presence of the one true God and His holy community.

Leviticus 16:11-14

Aaron shall present the bull as a sin offering for himself, and shall make atonement for himself and for his house... and he shall take a censer full of coals of fire from the altar before the Lord, and two handfuls of sweet incense beaten small, and he shall bring it inside the veil and put the incense on the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is over the testimony, so that he may not die. And he shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the front of the mercy seat...

In-depth-analysis

Incense Cloud: The cloud of incense is a practical and symbolic shield. It veils God's raw glory, protecting the priest from death. Symbolically, the sweet-smelling aroma represents prayers ascending and makes the holy space acceptable.
Blood on the Mercy Seat: This is the climactic moment of propitiation. Blood, representing life given in substitution, is applied directly to God's throne of judgment and mercy, the kapporet. This "covers" the sin represented by the broken law inside the Ark.
Sequence: The purification of the priest is paramount and must happen before he can purify the people's holy things.

Bible references

Hebrews 9:24-25: For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands... but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. (The true high priest entering the true sanctuary).
Revelation 8:3-4: ...and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne. (The imagery of incense and prayer continues in the heavenly reality).
Romans 3:25: whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. (The Greek word hilasterion used here is the same word the Septuagint uses for the "mercy seat").

Cross references

Ex 30:34-36 (Recipe for the holy incense); Heb 12:24 (The sprinkled blood of Jesus speaks a better word than Abel's); 1 Jn 2:2 (He is the propitiation for our sins).

Leviticus 16:15-19

Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering that is for the people and bring its blood inside the veil and do with its blood as he did with the blood of the bull, sprinkling it over the mercy seat and before the mercy seat. Thus he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleannesses of the people of Israel and because of their transgressions, all their sins. And so he shall do for the tent of meeting, which dwells with them in the midst of their uncleannesses... And he shall go out to the altar that is before the Lord and make atonement for it...

In-depth-analysis

Purging the Sanctuary: The goat's blood does what the bull's blood did, but this time on behalf of the people. The primary purpose is to ritually cleanse the Tabernacle itself from the defilement caused by a year of the people's sins.
Pervasive Uncleanness: The sanctuary is "in the midst of their uncleannesses." Sin creates a spiritual "pollution" that stains even the holy things, requiring this annual purge for God's presence to remain.
Systematic Cleansing: The priest moves from the inside out: from the Most Holy Place, to the Holy Place, and finally to the bronze altar in the courtyard. Every point of contact between God and Israel is purified.

Bible references

Hebrews 9:22-23: Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood... Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. (Explains the purpose of cleansing the sanctuary as a copy of the heavenly reality).
Hebrews 2:17: ...to become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. (Christ fulfilling the role of priest and sacrifice for the people).

Cross references

Eph 2:1-3 (Our state of sin); Ezek 45:18-20 (A similar sanctuary-purging ritual); 2 Cor 5:21 (He became sin for us).

Leviticus 16:20-22

And when he has made an end of atoning for the Holy Place and the tent of meeting and the altar, he shall present the live goat. And Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the people of Israel, and all their transgressions, all their sins. And he shall put them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who is in readiness. The goat shall bear all their iniquities on itself to a remote area, and he shall let the goat go in the wilderness.

In-depth-analysis

Laying on of Hands: This is a physical act signifying identification and transference. Aaron, as the people's representative, formally places their sin upon the goat.
Comprehensive Confession: He confesses "all" iniquities, transgressions, and sins—a threefold term covering every kind of moral and rebellious failing.
Expiation in Action: The goat bears the sin away to a "remote area" (erets gezerah, a cut-off land). This provides a powerful visual confirmation to the people that their sin has been physically and totally removed from the community. It is gone.

Bible references

Isaiah 53:11-12: ...by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities... he bore the sin of many. (The Suffering Servant bearing sin, like the scapegoat).
Psalm 103:12: as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. (The poetic expression of the scapegoat's reality).
2 Corinthians 5:21: For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (The theological truth of Christ bearing our sin).

Cross references

Mic 7:19 (Sins cast into the depths of the sea); 1 Pet 2:24 (He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree).

Leviticus 16:23-28

Then Aaron shall come into the tent of meeting and shall take off the linen garments... and he shall bathe his body with water in a holy place and put on his garments and come out and offer his burnt offering and the burnt offering of the people and make atonement for himself and for the people... He who lets the goat go to Azazel shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water... and he who burns the bull and the goat for the sin offering shall... wash his clothes and bathe his body in water...

In-depth-analysis

Concluding Rites: Aaron washes and changes back into his glorious garments. The special, humble duty is over.
Burnt Offerings: After atonement for sin (sin offerings), burnt offerings are given. These represent total consecration and renewed devotion to God. Atonement precedes worship.
Contamination of Sin: The priest's assistant and the one who burns the carcasses are considered unclean because they have come into contact with the sin-bearing animals. They must undergo purification before re-entering the community, demonstrating how polluting sin is.

Bible references

Hebrews 13:11-12: For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. (Draws a direct parallel between the sin offerings burned outside the camp and Christ's crucifixion outside Jerusalem).

Cross references

Lev 4:11-12 (Rule for burning sin offerings outside the camp); Rev 1:5-6 (He has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests).

Leviticus 16:29-34

And it shall be a statute to you forever that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict yourselves and shall do no work... For on this day shall atonement be made for you to cleanse you. You shall be clean before the Lord from all your sins. It is a Sabbath of solemn rest to you, and you shall afflict yourselves; it is a statute forever.

In-depth-analysis

Permanent Statute: This command is "forever" (chuqat olam), underscoring its non-negotiable importance in the covenant.
"Afflict Yourselves": Hebrew anah nephesh (עַנּה נֶפֶשׁ). This primarily means to fast, but also carries the broader sense of humbling oneself, repenting, and showing contrition. Atonement is a gift, but it requires a participatory posture of repentance from the people.
Sabbath of Solemn Rest: A shabbat shabbaton, the highest form of Sabbath. It demanded complete cessation from work, focusing the entire nation on the vertical reality of their sin and God's provision.
Summary Statement: Verse 30 provides the perfect summary of the day's purpose: "to cleanse you... You shall be clean before the LORD from all your sins."

Bible references

Isaiah 58:3-5: 'Why have we fasted, and you see it not?'... Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure. (Contrasts true, heartfelt affliction/repentance with empty ritual).
Hebrews 10:1-4: For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come... it can never... make perfect those who draw near... For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. (Explains the repetitive nature of this day pointed to its own insufficiency and the need for a final sacrifice).
Acts 27:9: Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them... (A historical reference showing that Yom Kippur was widely known in the first century simply as "the Fast").

Cross references

Lev 23:26-32 (The law restated in the calendar of feasts); Ps 51:17 (A broken and contrite heart God will not despise); Dan 9:3 (Daniel humbling himself with fasting).

Leviticus chapter 16 analysis

Dual Atonement Symbolism: The chapter's genius lies in using two goats to symbolize two distinct, inseparable aspects of Christ's work. The sacrificed goat represents propitiation (His blood satisfies God's holiness), while the scapegoat represents expiation (He physically removes our sin and its guilt from us). A single animal ritual could not portray both simultaneously.
Atonement's Comprehensive Scope: The ritual cleanses in three dimensions:
1. The People: Their sins are forgiven and removed.
2. The Priesthood: Aaron and his house are purified.
3. The Sacred Space: The tabernacle itself, polluted by its proximity to sin, is purged.
The Gospel According to Leviticus: The chapter demonstrates humanity's deep need (sin defiles everything), God's holy standard (He cannot dwell with sin), and God's gracious provision (He Himself provides the mechanism for atonement). The sequence is crucial: substitutionary death is followed by the visible removal of sin, which is followed by renewed worship (burnt offerings).
The Incompleteness as Prophecy: The fact that the Day of Atonement had to be repeated every single year (v. 34) was a built-in admission of its temporary nature. It was a "shadow" that powerfully illustrated the problem and pointed forward to the permanent solution, Jesus Christ, whose one-time sacrifice perfected for all time those who are being sanctified (Heb 10:14).

Leviticus 16 summary

Leviticus 16 details the instructions for the Day of Atonement, an annual ceremony where the High Priest, after purifying himself, enters the Most Holy Place to atone for the sins of the nation. Through the sacrifice of a bull and a goat "for the Lord," he purges the sanctuary of defilement. Through a second "scapegoat" for Azazel, he symbolically transfers the people's sins onto the goat and sends it into the wilderness, visually demonstrating the complete removal of their guilt. This chapter, the liturgical heart of the Pentateuch, allows God to continue dwelling with his people and profoundly prefigures the comprehensive, single, and final atoning work of Jesus Christ.

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Leviticus 16 AI Image Audio and Video

Leviticus chapter 16 kjv

¹ And the LORD spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered before the LORD, and died;
² And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.
³ Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place: with a young bullock for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering.
⁴ He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on.
⁵ And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.
⁶ And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house.
⁷ And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
⁸ And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.
⁹ And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD's lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering.
¹⁰ But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.
¹¹ And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock of the sin offering which is for himself:
¹² And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail:
¹³ And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not:
¹⁴ And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times.
¹⁵ Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat:
¹⁶ And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness.
¹⁷ And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel.
¹⁸ And he shall go out unto the altar that is before the LORD, and make an atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about.
¹⁹ And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.
²⁰ And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat:
²¹ And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:
²² And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.
²³ And Aaron shall come into the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall put off the linen garments, which he put on when he went into the holy place, and shall leave them there:
²⁴ 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.
²⁵ And the fat of the sin offering shall he burn upon the altar.
²⁶ And he that let go the goat for the scapegoat shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward come into the camp.
²⁷ And the bullock for the sin offering, and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the holy place, shall one carry forth without the camp; and they shall burn in the fire their skins, and their flesh, and their dung.
²⁸ And he that burneth them shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp.
²⁹ And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you:
³⁰ For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD.
³¹ It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever.
³² And the priest, whom he shall anoint, and whom he shall consecrate to minister in the priest's office in his father's stead, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen clothes, even the holy garments:
³³ And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation, and for the altar, and he shall make an atonement for the priests, and for all the people of the congregation.
³⁴ And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the LORD commanded Moses.

Leviticus chapter 16 nkjv

¹ Now the LORD spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered profane fire before the LORD, and died;
² and the LORD said to Moses: "Tell Aaron your brother not to come at just any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, lest he die; for I will appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.
³ "Thus Aaron shall come into the Holy Place: with the blood of a young bull as a sin offering, and of a ram as a burnt offering.
⁴ He shall put the holy linen tunic and the linen trousers on his body; he shall be girded with a linen sash, and with the linen turban he shall be attired. These are holy garments. Therefore he shall wash his body in water, and put them on.
⁵ And he shall take from the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats as a sin offering, and one ram as a burnt offering.
⁶ "Aaron shall offer the bull as a sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house.
⁷ He shall take the two goats and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.
⁸ Then Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats: one lot for the LORD and the other lot for the scapegoat.
⁹ And Aaron shall bring the goat on which the LORD's lot fell, and offer it as a sin offering.
¹⁰ But the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make atonement upon it, and to let it go as the scapegoat into the wilderness.
¹¹ "And Aaron shall bring the bull of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house, and shall kill the bull as the sin offering which is for himself.
¹² Then he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from the altar before the LORD, with his hands full of sweet incense beaten fine, and bring it inside the veil.
¹³ And he shall put the incense on the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of incense may cover the mercy seat that is on the Testimony, lest he die.
¹⁴ He shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat on the east side; and before the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times.
¹⁵ "Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering, which is for the people, bring its blood inside the veil, do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat and before the mercy seat.
¹⁶ So he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions, for all their sins; and so he shall do for the tabernacle of meeting which remains among them in the midst of their uncleanness.
¹⁷ There shall be no man in the tabernacle of meeting when he goes in to make atonement in the Holy Place, until he comes out, that he may make atonement for himself, for his household, and for all the assembly of Israel.
¹⁸ And he shall go out to the altar that is before the LORD, and make atonement for it, and shall take some of the blood of the bull and some of the blood of the goat, and put it on the horns of the altar all around.
¹⁹ Then he shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times, cleanse it, and consecrate it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.
²⁰ "And when he has made an end of atoning for the Holy Place, the tabernacle of meeting, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat.
²¹ Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, confess over it all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, concerning all their sins, putting them on the head of the goat, and shall send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a suitable man.
²² The goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to an uninhabited land; and he shall release the goat in the wilderness.
²³ "Then Aaron shall come into the tabernacle of meeting, shall take off the linen garments which he put on when he went into the Holy Place, and shall leave them there.
²⁴ And he shall wash his body with water in a holy place, put on his garments, come out and offer his burnt offering and the burnt offering of the people, and make atonement for himself and for the people.
²⁵ The fat of the sin offering he shall burn on the altar.
²⁶ And he who released the goat as the scapegoat shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and afterward he may come into the camp.
²⁷ The bull for the sin offering and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the Holy Place, shall be carried outside the camp. And they shall burn in the fire their skins, their flesh, and their offal.
²⁸ Then he who burns them shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and afterward he may come into the camp.
²⁹ "This shall be a statute forever for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether a native of your own country or a stranger who dwells among you.
³⁰ For on that day the priest shall make atonement for you, to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before the LORD.
³¹ It is a sabbath of solemn rest for you, and you shall afflict your souls. It is a statute forever.
³² And the priest, who is anointed and consecrated to minister as priest in his father's place, shall make atonement, and put on the linen clothes, the holy garments;
³³ then he shall make atonement for the Holy Sanctuary, and he shall make atonement for the tabernacle of meeting and for the altar, and he shall make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly.
³⁴ This shall be an everlasting statute for you, to make atonement for the children of Israel, for all their sins, once a year." And he did as the LORD commanded Moses.

Leviticus chapter 16 niv

¹ The LORD spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron who died when they approached the LORD.
² The LORD said to Moses: "Tell your brother Aaron that he is not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or else he will die. For I will appear in the cloud over the atonement cover.
³ "This is how Aaron is to enter the Most Holy Place: He must first bring a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering.
⁴ He is to put on the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments next to his body; he is to tie the linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are sacred garments; so he must bathe himself with water before he puts them on.
⁵ From the Israelite community he is to take two male goats for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering.
⁶ "Aaron is to offer the bull for his own sin offering to make atonement for himself and his household.
⁷ Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the LORD at the entrance to the tent of meeting.
⁸ He is to cast lots for the two goats?one lot for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat.
⁹ Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the LORD and sacrifice it for a sin offering.
¹⁰ But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD to be used for making atonement by sending it into the wilderness as a scapegoat.
¹¹ "Aaron shall bring the bull for his own sin offering to make atonement for himself and his household, and he is to slaughter the bull for his own sin offering.
¹² He is to take a censer full of burning coals from the altar before the LORD and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense and take them behind the curtain.
¹³ He is to put the incense on the fire before the LORD, and the smoke of the incense will conceal the atonement cover above the tablets of the covenant law, so that he will not die.
¹⁴ He is to take some of the bull's blood and with his finger sprinkle it on the front of the atonement cover; then he shall sprinkle some of it with his finger seven times before the atonement cover.
¹⁵ "He shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and take its blood behind the curtain and do with it as he did with the bull's blood: He shall sprinkle it on the atonement cover and in front of it.
¹⁶ In this way he will make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the uncleanness and rebellion of the Israelites, whatever their sins have been. He is to do the same for the tent of meeting, which is among them in the midst of their uncleanness.
¹⁷ No one is to be in the tent of meeting from the time Aaron goes in to make atonement in the Most Holy Place until he comes out, having made atonement for himself, his household and the whole community of Israel.
¹⁸ "Then he shall come out to the altar that is before the LORD and make atonement for it. He shall take some of the bull's blood and some of the goat's blood and put it on all the horns of the altar.
¹⁹ He shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times to cleanse it and to consecrate it from the uncleanness of the Israelites.
²⁰ "When Aaron has finished making atonement for the Most Holy Place, the tent of meeting and the altar, he shall bring forward the live goat.
²¹ He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites?all their sins?and put them on the goat's head. He shall send the goat away into the wilderness in the care of someone appointed for the task.
²² The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a remote place; and the man shall release it in the wilderness.
²³ "Then Aaron is to go into the tent of meeting and take off the linen garments he put on before he entered the Most Holy Place, and he is to leave them there.
²⁴ He shall bathe himself with water in the sanctuary area and put on his regular garments. Then he shall come out and sacrifice the burnt offering for himself and the burnt offering for the people, to make atonement for himself and for the people.
²⁵ He shall also burn the fat of the sin offering on the altar.
²⁶ "The man who releases the goat as a scapegoat must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water; afterward he may come into the camp.
²⁷ The bull and the goat for the sin offerings, whose blood was brought into the Most Holy Place to make atonement, must be taken outside the camp; their hides, flesh and intestines are to be burned up.
²⁸ The man who burns them must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water; afterward he may come into the camp.
²⁹ "This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work?whether native-born or a foreigner residing among you?
³⁰ because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the LORD, you will be clean from all your sins.
³¹ It is a day of sabbath rest, and you must deny yourselves; it is a lasting ordinance.
³² The priest who is anointed and ordained to succeed his father as high priest is to make atonement. He is to put on the sacred linen garments
³³ and make atonement for the Most Holy Place, for the tent of meeting and the altar, and for the priests and all the members of the community.
³⁴ "This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites." And it was done, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Leviticus chapter 16 esv

¹ The LORD spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they drew near before the LORD and died,
² and the LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron your brother not to come at any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat that is on the ark, so that he may not die. For I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat.
³ But in this way Aaron shall come into the Holy Place: with a bull from the herd for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering.
⁴ He shall put on the holy linen coat and shall have the linen undergarment on his body, and he shall tie the linen sash around his waist, and wear the linen turban; these are the holy garments. He shall bathe his body in water and then put them on.
⁵ And he shall take from the congregation of the people of Israel two male goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.
⁶ "Aaron shall offer the bull as a sin offering for himself and shall make atonement for himself and for his house.
⁷ Then he shall take the two goats and set them before the LORD at the entrance of the tent of meeting.
⁸ And Aaron shall cast lots over the two goats, one lot for the LORD and the other lot for Azazel.
⁹ And Aaron shall present the goat on which the lot fell for the LORD and use it as a sin offering,
¹⁰ but the goat on which the lot fell for Azazel shall be presented alive before the LORD to make atonement over it, that it may be sent away into the wilderness to Azazel.
¹¹ "Aaron shall present the bull as a sin offering for himself, and shall make atonement for himself and for his house. He shall kill the bull as a sin offering for himself.
¹² And he shall take a censer full of coals of fire from the altar before the LORD, and two handfuls of sweet incense beaten small, and he shall bring it inside the veil
¹³ and put the incense on the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is over the testimony, so that he does not die.
¹⁴ And he shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the front of the mercy seat on the east side, and in front of the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times.
¹⁵ "Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering that is for the people and bring its blood inside the veil and do with its blood as he did with the blood of the bull, sprinkling it over the mercy seat and in front of the mercy seat.
¹⁶ Thus he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleannesses of the people of Israel and because of their transgressions, all their sins. And so he shall do for the tent of meeting, which dwells with them in the midst of their uncleannesses.
¹⁷ No one may be in the tent of meeting from the time he enters to make atonement in the Holy Place until he comes out and has made atonement for himself and for his house and for all the assembly of Israel.
¹⁸ Then he shall go out to the altar that is before the LORD and make atonement for it, and shall take some of the blood of the bull and some of the blood of the goat, and put it on the horns of the altar all around.
¹⁹ And he shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it and consecrate it from the uncleannesses of the people of Israel.
²⁰ "And when he has made an end of atoning for the Holy Place and the tent of meeting and the altar, he shall present the live goat.
²¹ And Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the people of Israel, and all their transgressions, all their sins. And he shall put them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who is in readiness.
²² The goat shall bear all their iniquities on itself to a remote area, and he shall let the goat go free in the wilderness.
²³ "Then Aaron shall come into the tent of meeting and shall take off the linen garments that he put on when he went into the Holy Place and shall leave them there.
²⁴ And he shall bathe his body in water in a holy place and put on his garments and come out and offer his burnt offering and the burnt offering of the people and make atonement for himself and for the people.
²⁵ And the fat of the sin offering he shall burn on the altar.
²⁶ And he who lets the goat go to Azazel shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and afterward he may come into the camp.
²⁷ And the bull for the sin offering and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the Holy Place, shall be carried outside the camp. Their skin and their flesh and their dung shall be burned up with fire.
²⁸ And he who burns them shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and afterward he may come into the camp.
²⁹ "And it shall be a statute to you forever that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict yourselves and shall do no work, either the native or the stranger who sojourns among you.
³⁰ For on this day shall atonement be made for you to cleanse you. You shall be clean before the LORD from all your sins.
³¹ It is a Sabbath of solemn rest to you, and you shall afflict yourselves; it is a statute forever.
³² And the priest who is anointed and consecrated as priest in his father's place shall make atonement, wearing the holy linen garments.
³³ He shall make atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make atonement for the tent of meeting and for the altar, and he shall make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly.
³⁴ And this shall be a statute forever for you, that atonement may be made for the people of Israel once in the year because of all their sins." And Aaron did as the LORD commanded Moses.

Leviticus chapter 16 nlt

¹ The LORD spoke to Moses after the death of Aaron's two sons, who died after they entered the LORD's presence and burned the wrong kind of fire before him.
² The LORD said to Moses, "Warn your brother, Aaron, not to enter the Most Holy Place behind the inner curtain whenever he chooses; if he does, he will die. For the Ark's cover ? the place of atonement ? is there, and I myself am present in the cloud above the atonement cover.
³ "When Aaron enters the sanctuary area, he must follow these instructions fully. He must bring a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering.
⁴ He must put on his linen tunic and the linen undergarments worn next to his body. He must tie the linen sash around his waist and put the linen turban on his head. These are sacred garments, so he must bathe himself in water before he puts them on.
⁵ Aaron must take from the community of Israel two male goats for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering.
⁶ "Aaron will present his own bull as a sin offering to purify himself and his family, making them right with the LORD.
⁷ Then he must take the two male goats and present them to the LORD at the entrance of the Tabernacle.
⁸ He is to cast sacred lots to determine which goat will be reserved as an offering to the LORD and which will carry the sins of the people to the wilderness of Azazel.
⁹ Aaron will then present as a sin offering the goat chosen by lot for the LORD.
¹⁰ The other goat, the scapegoat chosen by lot to be sent away, will be kept alive, standing before the LORD. When it is sent away to Azazel in the wilderness, the people will be purified and made right with the LORD.
¹¹ "Aaron will present his own bull as a sin offering to purify himself and his family, making them right with the LORD. After he has slaughtered the bull as a sin offering,
¹² he will fill an incense burner with burning coals from the altar that stands before the LORD. Then he will take two handfuls of fragrant powdered incense and will carry the burner and the incense behind the inner curtain.
¹³ There in the LORD's presence he will put the incense on the burning coals so that a cloud of incense will rise over the Ark's cover ? the place of atonement ? that rests on the Ark of the Covenant. If he follows these instructions, he will not die.
¹⁴ Then he must take some of the blood of the bull, dip his finger in it, and sprinkle it on the east side of the atonement cover. He must sprinkle blood seven times with his finger in front of the atonement cover.
¹⁵ "Then Aaron must slaughter the first goat as a sin offering for the people and carry its blood behind the inner curtain. There he will sprinkle the goat's blood over the atonement cover and in front of it, just as he did with the bull's blood.
¹⁶ Through this process, he will purify the Most Holy Place, and he will do the same for the entire Tabernacle, because of the defiling sin and rebellion of the Israelites.
¹⁷ No one else is allowed inside the Tabernacle when Aaron enters it for the purification ceremony in the Most Holy Place. No one may enter until he comes out again after purifying himself, his family, and all the congregation of Israel, making them right with the LORD.
¹⁸ "Then Aaron will come out to purify the altar that stands before the LORD. He will do this by taking some of the blood from the bull and the goat and putting it on each of the horns of the altar.
¹⁹ Then he must sprinkle the blood with his finger seven times over the altar. In this way, he will cleanse it from Israel's defilement and make it holy.
²⁰ "When Aaron has finished purifying the Most Holy Place and the Tabernacle and the altar, he must present the live goat.
²¹ He will lay both of his hands on the goat's head and confess over it all the wickedness, rebellion, and sins of the people of Israel. In this way, he will transfer the people's sins to the head of the goat. Then a man specially chosen for the task will drive the goat into the wilderness.
²² As the goat goes into the wilderness, it will carry all the people's sins upon itself into a desolate land.
²³ "When Aaron goes back into the Tabernacle, he must take off the linen garments he was wearing when he entered the Most Holy Place, and he must leave the garments there.
²⁴ Then he must bathe himself with water in a sacred place, put on his regular garments, and go out to sacrifice a burnt offering for himself and a burnt offering for the people. Through this process, he will purify himself and the people, making them right with the LORD.
²⁵ He must then burn all the fat of the sin offering on the altar.
²⁶ "The man chosen to drive the scapegoat into the wilderness of Azazel must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water. Then he may return to the camp.
²⁷ "The bull and the goat presented as sin offerings, whose blood Aaron takes into the Most Holy Place for the purification ceremony, will be carried outside the camp. The animals' hides, internal organs, and dung are all to be burned.
²⁸ The man who burns them must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water before returning to the camp.
²⁹ "On the tenth day of the appointed month in early autumn, you must deny yourselves. Neither native-born Israelites nor foreigners living among you may do any kind of work. This is a permanent law for you.
³⁰ On that day offerings of purification will be made for you, and you will be purified in the LORD's presence from all your sins.
³¹ It will be a Sabbath day of complete rest for you, and you must deny yourselves. This is a permanent law for you.
³² In future generations, the purification ceremony will be performed by the priest who has been anointed and ordained to serve as high priest in place of his ancestor Aaron. He will put on the holy linen garments
³³ and purify the Most Holy Place, the Tabernacle, the altar, the priests, and the entire congregation.
³⁴ This is a permanent law for you, to purify the people of Israel from their sins, making them right with the LORD once each year." Moses followed all these instructions exactly as the LORD had commanded him.