Leviticus 16 23

Leviticus 16:23 kjv

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:

Leviticus 16:23 nkjv

"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.

Leviticus 16:23 niv

"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.

Leviticus 16:23 esv

"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.

Leviticus 16:23 nlt

"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.

Leviticus 16 verses

Leviticus 16 23 Meaning

Leviticus 16:23 describes a critical step in the ritual of the Day of Atonement where Aaron, the High Priest, concludes the most solemn part of his duties inside the Most Holy Place. He is commanded to divest himself of the special white linen garments, which were worn exclusively for the atonement rites performed within the Holy Place, and to leave them inside the Tent of Meeting. This action signifies a transition from the purification work on behalf of the people to other, less exclusive priestly duties, emphasizing the completion of the inner sanctuary ritual and the required ritual cleansing before re-engaging with the common sphere.

Leviticus 16 23 Context

Leviticus chapter 16 details the intricate rituals for Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which was the most solemn day in the Israelite calendar. This day was paramount for the cleansing of the tabernacle, the priesthood, and the entire nation from sin and impurity, ensuring God's continued presence among His people. Aaron, as the High Priest, bore the unique responsibility for carrying out these sacred rites, which involved specific animal sacrifices for sin and burnt offerings, and crucially, the manipulation of two goats, one for the Lord and one for Azazel.

Verse 23 specifically describes the ritual after Aaron has performed the key atonement sacrifices and sprinkled the blood within the Holy of Holies. While he was ministering within that most sacred space, he wore distinct, humble linen garments (Lev 16:4). These garments symbolized purity, humility, and the somber nature of the atonement rite, contrasting with the High Priest's "garments of glory and beauty" worn for other duties. The act of removing these specific linen garments and leaving them within the Tent of Meeting marked the ritual conclusion of the Most Holy Place's atonement sequence and a transition back to the "common" areas of the tabernacle for the completion of other rites for the day (such as the burnt offerings and disposing of the Azazel goat). Historically and culturally, this meticulous process underscored the absolute holiness of God, the severity of sin, and the divine requirements for purification, serving as a powerful distinction from surrounding pagan rituals. The distinct change of garments after completing the holiest work highlighted the sanctity of each stage and the need for purity for different levels of service and presence before God.

Leviticus 16 23 Word analysis

• And Aaron shall come: Hebrew: u-va (וּבָא). Va means "and come/go." The High Priest's action is precise and commanded, highlighting his specific, divinely ordained role in these rituals. His presence and actions are pivotal for the atonement.
• into the Tent of Meeting: Hebrew: el ohel mo'ed (אֶל-אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד). The "Tent of Meeting" or Tabernacle was the dwelling place of God's presence, the central focus of Israel's worship, and the locus of the covenant relationship. It emphasizes the sacred space where these crucial rituals are enacted. This particular entry is after he has done the innermost rites and emerged from the Most Holy Place, but he is still within the general confines of the Tabernacle's outer sanctuary.
• and shall take off: Hebrew: u-pashat (וּפָשַׁט). From the root pashat, meaning "to strip," "divest oneself," or "take off." This is a deliberate and significant act of removing the special attire worn for the holiest of functions, marking a ritual transition.
• the linen garments: Hebrew: et bigde ha-bad (אֶת-בִּגְדֵי הַבָּד). "Linen garments." These were specific white, plain linen clothes (tunic, trousers, turban, sash) prescribed for the High Priest's duties inside the Holy Place on Yom Kippur. Unlike his other splendid priestly robes, these conveyed humility, purity, and somberness appropriate for bearing the nation's sin before God. They are inherently holy, set apart for this specific purpose.
• which he put on: Hebrew: asher lavash (אֲשֶׁר לָבַשׁ). From lavash, "to put on," "wear." This confirms these are the same garments previously described (Lev 16:4) that were specifically donned for the inner sanctuary rituals.
• when he went into the Holy Place: Hebrew: be-vo'o el ha-qodesh (בְּבֹאוֹ אֶל-הַקֹּדֶשׁ). Literally "when he came into the holiness/sanctuary." "Holy Place" here refers broadly to the Tabernacle sanctuary, encompassing both the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place, emphasizing the context of the highly sacred rituals from which he is now concluding. This links the garments to the sanctity of the atonement rites performed therein.
• and shall leave them there: Hebrew: ve-hinniḥam sham (וְהִנִּיחַם שָׁם). From hanach, "to lay down," "deposit," "leave." This signifies the complete relinquishment of these specific garments within the sacred space. They were not to be worn for any other priestly service or taken out into the camp. This act serves to:
  • Set them apart due to their extreme holiness or, conversely, because they are ceremonially impure, having symbolically "borne" the sins of the people during the atonement ritual.
  • Mark the completion of the inner atonement rites.
  • Prevent mingling these garments, with their specific symbolic load, with other duties.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And Aaron shall come into the Tent of Meeting and shall take off the linen garments": This sequence highlights the procedural exactitude required. The high priest's entrance back into the main sanctuary (not the outermost court) before divesting is part of the ordered sacred space and ritual progression. The removal of the linen garments is a deliberate, ritually charged act, marking a separation from the previous phase of atonement work.
• "the linen garments which he put on when he went into the Holy Place": This emphasizes the unique function of these garments. They are not his general priestly attire but special garments specifically dedicated and made holy (or became uniquely laden) for the singular and most solemn act of atonement, where he represented the nation before God's unveiled presence. This distinction underscores the sacred gravity of Yom Kippur.
• "and shall leave them there": This phrase dictates the fate of these garments. They were left within the Tabernacle complex (a place considered holy). Scholars suggest these garments may have been left there permanently or subsequently burned, although burning is specified for other parts of the sacrifice. Leaving them there maintains their consecrated nature, signifying that they belonged solely to the unique "holy place" work, and could not be desacralized by taking them out or reusing them for less holy duties. This physical leaving behind symbolized the ritual work being contained and completed, preventing any contamination or dilution of the subsequent stages of the ritual.

Leviticus 16 23 Bonus section

• The specified plain white linen garments were worn precisely because they conveyed purity and humility, not pomp or human glory, fitting for the somber occasion of atoning for national sin and standing nakedly before God. This contrasted with the "golden" or glorious garments of Aaron for other high priestly functions.
• The fact that these specific garments, though "holy," were not to be worn again after the inner-sanctum rites is significant. Some interpret this as the garments being "defiled" or "laden" with the impurity absorbed during the atonement ritual, hence needing to be separated and "left there." Others see them as being too holy, too exclusively linked to the Most Holy Place, to be used for less sacred duties. Either way, it marked their unique role and isolation after their primary function.
• This act of divestment highlights the transient nature of the human priesthood and its rituals. Unlike the human high priest who must continually change garments, perform new rituals, and separate himself, Christ's priesthood is eternal and His sacrifice (his 'garment' of perfect obedience and sacrifice) is never changed or removed, always interceding for His people (Heb 7:24-27).

Leviticus 16 23 Commentary

Leviticus 16:23 is a profound yet concise statement in the grand drama of the Day of Atonement. After having borne the sins of the nation into the Most Holy Place via the atoning blood and performing the vital intercession, the High Priest Aaron transitions from the solemn, direct encounter with God's holiness to re-engage with other priestly duties. The act of removing his plain linen garments, distinct from his elaborate "garments of glory and beauty" (Exod 28:2), underscores humility, purity, and the temporary nature of his role as proxy sin-bearer. These garments, having absorbed the ritual significance of sin and atonement, are consecrated or ritually impure depending on the interpretation, thus requiring their removal and sequestration within the sacred confines of the Tent of Meeting. This action symbolized that the critical work within the Holy of Holies was complete and ritually set apart. He would then wash and don his regular priestly attire to continue leading the people in worship and burnt offerings (Lev 16:24). This commanded ritual transition points to the precision and significance of every step in the Israelite sacrificial system, ultimately foreshadowing the perfect and singular work of Christ. Our Great High Priest, Jesus, offered himself once for all, needing no repeated rituals or changes of garments, as His own righteousness is our eternal covering, and His single sacrifice fully accomplished all atonement without residue.