Leviticus 16 13

Leviticus 16:13 kjv

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:

Leviticus 16:13 nkjv

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.

Leviticus 16:13 niv

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.

Leviticus 16:13 esv

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.

Leviticus 16:13 nlt

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.

Leviticus 16 verses

Leviticus 16 13 Meaning

Leviticus 16:13 mandates a crucial step for the High Priest, Aaron, as he enters the Most Holy Place on the Day of Atonement. He is to place incense onto burning coals, taken from the altar, directly "before the LORD." The essential purpose of this action is to generate a thick cloud of smoke, which must completely cover the mercy seat – the golden lid atop the Ark of the Covenant, where God's presence manifested. This visual barrier is absolutely necessary to prevent the High Priest from dying due to his exposure to the divine holiness, emphasizing the grave danger and reverence required in approaching God's unveiled presence.

Leviticus 16 13 Context

Leviticus Chapter 16 provides the detailed, divinely instituted blueprint for the annual Day of Atonement, the singular occasion each year when the High Priest entered the Most Holy Place. This chapter immediately follows the tragic account of Nadab and Abihu, Aaron's sons, who died because they offered "strange fire" (Lev 10). Their death underscored the immense holiness of God and the lethal consequences of failing to adhere strictly to His commands regarding worship and access. Therefore, Leviticus 16:13 is a meticulously outlined instruction within a framework emphasizing absolute obedience, reverence, and precise ritual to ensure the High Priest's survival and enable the annual atonement for the sins of the people and the Tabernacle itself. This specific verse prepares for the climax of the Day of Atonement ceremony, where the High Priest, in the holiest space, directly confronts the radiant presence of God, albeit protected by the prescribed incense.

Leviticus 16 13 Word analysis

• And he shall put: Refers specifically to Aaron, the High Priest. This is an indispensable command for him alone, highlighting his unique mediatorial role in the covenant community.
• the incense: (Hebrew: קְטֹרֶת, qᵉṭōreṯ) Not common fragrance, but a specific, sacred blend prescribed by God in Exod 30:34-38. It was "most holy" and exclusively for the Lord, emphasizing its consecrated nature and function.
• upon the fire: The fire came from the altar of burnt offering (Lev 16:12), signifying fire divinely ordained and associated with accepted sacrifice. This differentiates it sharply from the "strange fire" of Nadab and Abihu, emphasizing that only God's approved means allows access to His presence.
• before the LORD: (Hebrew: לִפְנֵי יְהוָה, lip̄nê Yahweh) Means literally "to the face of Yahweh" or "in the presence of Yahweh." This indicates being in the immediate and manifest presence of God, specifically in the Most Holy Place, the holiest point of encounter.
• that the cloud of the incense: (Hebrew: עֲנַן הַקְּטֹרֶת, ʿănan haqᵉṭōreṯ) The smoke cloud itself is crucial. It acts as a visual and symbolic screen, obscuring the High Priest's direct view of the Shekinah glory, thereby protecting him from death due to direct exposure to God's holiness. It echoes God's own manifestations often in a cloud (Exod 40:34-35).
• may cover: (Hebrew: כָּסָה, kāsāh) To conceal, veil, or hide. The incense cloud functioned as a protective veil. This act of "covering" allows for an encounter with God's holiness without being consumed, demonstrating divine mercy.
• the mercy seat: (Hebrew: כַּפֹּרֶת, kappōreṯ) The solid gold lid on the Ark of the Covenant, often called the "atonement cover." Its name is derived from the verb kāphar, meaning "to cover" or "to atone." It was the specific place where God would meet Israel (Exod 25:22) and where propitiation occurred through sprinkled blood. It embodies both divine justice and grace.
• that is upon the testimony: Refers to the Ark of the Covenant containing the "testimony," the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. This connection highlights that atonement occurs where God's broken Law resides, demonstrating humanity's need for covering from sin against that Law.
• that he die not: This dire consequence highlights the immense power and holiness of God's presence, which is lethal to sinful man if approached improperly. It underscores both God's severe purity and His gracious provision for survival and continued covenant relationship through precise obedience.

Leviticus 16 13 Bonus section

The imagery of the dense cloud of incense covering the mercy seat on Yom Kippur is evocative of God's own veiled presence that led Israel in the wilderness and filled the Tabernacle, showing His awesome majesty and also His willingness to condescend and dwell among His people, but always on His own holy terms. The fact that the priest "die not" points to the entire ritual of Yom Kippur as God's merciful provision for life and continued covenant relationship for His people. This particular detail reveals the delicate balance between God's justice (where sin incurs death) and His grace (where a provided atonement allows for life). This single verse, therefore, underpins the entire salvific narrative of the Old Testament and sets the stage for the New Covenant’s perfect and permanent mediation through Christ.

Leviticus 16 13 Commentary

Leviticus 16:13 articulates a pivotal action within the holiest ritual of Israel: the High Priest generating an incense cloud before the mercy seat. This instruction isn't merely ceremonial; it’s a vital act of self-preservation. The cloud serves as a divine, merciful provision, physically shielding the High Priest from the direct, overwhelming manifestation of God's holy presence, which otherwise would be lethal for a sinful human. This scene profoundly emphasizes God’s transcendent holiness and the inherent sinfulness of humanity, necessitating a mediatory element for any form of reconciliation or approach.

The deliberate contrast with the fate of Nadab and Abihu reinforces the non-negotiable requirement for adherence to divine instructions. Every detail—the source of the fire, the composition of the incense, the location of the action—underscores God's specific demands for approaching Him. This repeated annual ritual also subtly highlighted its own temporariness and inadequacy to permanently bridge the chasm between God and humanity.

Ultimately, this vivid Old Testament scene foreshadows the once-for-all work of Jesus Christ, the perfect High Priest (Heb 9). He, being fully God and fully man, required no protective incense cloud to enter the true, heavenly Holy of Holies. Instead, He entered with His own sinless blood, providing a permanent and complete covering for sins (Heb 10:19-20). The Day of Atonement's ritualistic incense foreshadowed the perfect "aroma" of Christ's sacrifice, and now, through Him, the prayers of God's people ascend like incense (Rev 5:8, 8:3-4), granting us bold, direct access to the very throne of grace.