Leviticus 16 6

Leviticus 16:6 kjv

And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house.

Leviticus 16:6 nkjv

"Aaron shall offer the bull as a sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house.

Leviticus 16:6 niv

"Aaron is to offer the bull for his own sin offering to make atonement for himself and his household.

Leviticus 16:6 esv

"Aaron shall offer the bull as a sin offering for himself and shall make atonement for himself and for his house.

Leviticus 16:6 nlt

"Aaron will present his own bull as a sin offering to purify himself and his family, making them right with the LORD.

Leviticus 16 verses

Leviticus 16 6 Meaning

Leviticus 16:6 outlines the initial and crucial step for Aaron, the High Priest, on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). Before he can intercede for the people or cleanse the sanctuary, he must first address his own sins and those of his household. This involves offering a young bull as a "sin offering," a specific type of sacrifice intended to make propitiation for (cover or purge) the defilement caused by their unintentional transgressions and general impurity, thereby making atonement and preparing himself and his closest family to approach God in the most holy rituals.

Leviticus 16 6 Context

Leviticus chapter 16 describes the elaborate procedures for Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, the most solemn day in ancient Israel's religious calendar. This annual event was divinely instituted to provide a comprehensive purging of all sins and impurities that had accumulated during the year, making it possible for God to dwell among His people. The instructions given to Aaron, the High Priest, followed directly after the tragic incident of his sons Nadab and Abihu, who died for offering "unauthorized fire" (Lev 10:1-2). This tragedy highlighted the absolute necessity of strict adherence to God's precise commands when approaching His holy presence, particularly concerning the Most Holy Place. Leviticus 16:6 lays the foundational step for this extensive ritual: the High Priest himself, despite his elevated position, must first purify himself and his immediate family through sacrifice before he can perform the rest of the day's vital duties for the nation. This order of purification underscored the profound holiness of God and the defiling nature of sin, even for those set apart for sacred service. Culturally, the Day of Atonement distinguished Israel from surrounding pagan nations, which often sought propitiation through human effort, magic, or even child sacrifice; Israel's atonement system was based on God's divine provision and prescribed ritual, emphasizing the sacredness of blood and life given by God for cleansing.

Leviticus 16 6 Word analysis

• And Aaron (וְאַהֲרֹן, ve'Ahron): This specifies the High Priest as the divinely appointed figure to perform these highly significant rituals. His personal involvement underscores the unique responsibility and weight placed upon him as the chief mediator for Israel before God.
• shall offer (וְהִקְרִיב, ve'hikriv): Derived from the verb "qarab" (קָרַב), meaning "to draw near." In the Hiphil stem, it signifies "to cause to come near" or "to present an offering." This is a purposeful and priestly act, not merely an animal slaughter, highlighting the bringing of something holy or dedicated into God's presence for His acceptance.
• his bull (אֶת־פַּר הַחַטָּאת, et-par hachatta't): The term "par" (פַּר) refers to a young bull. This was a costly and substantial sacrifice, proportionate to the grave defilement caused by the sins of a high-ranking individual like the High Priest (see Lev 4:3). The phrase "his bull" implicitly highlights the personal responsibility that Aaron takes for his own and his household's sins.
• of the sin offering (חַטָּאת, chatta't): "Chatta't" has a dual meaning: "sin" and the "offering made for sin." It primarily addressed unintentional sins, purification from defilement (e.g., ritual impurity, contact with death), and overall ritual unfitness rather than intentional high-handed rebellion. This specific type of offering purifies and removes guilt or impurity, thus making a person fit to enter the holy precincts.
• which is for himself (אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ, asher-lo): This phrase explicitly states the primary beneficiary of the sacrifice: Aaron himself. It emphasizes that before he can act as an intercessor for the community, he must personally be ritually cleansed and his sins atoned for.
• and make atonement (וְכִפֶּר, ve'chipper): From the root "kaphar" (כָּפַר), which broadly means "to cover," "to purge," "to expiate," or "to make reconciliation." In this context, it implies appeasing divine wrath, covering sin, and removing defilement, thereby restoring a right relationship or state of ritual purity. The act of atonement through blood provides divine satisfaction for the offense committed by sin.
• for himself (בַּעֲדוֹ, ba'ad'o): This phrase reemphasizes the personal nature of the atonement, often translated as "on his behalf" or "in his stead." It reiterates the specific focus of this initial offering.
• and for his house (וּבְעַד בֵּיתוֹ, u'v'ad beito): "Beito" (בֵּיתוֹ), meaning "his house" or "his household," encompasses his immediate family (wife, children) and potentially others living under his authority within his home, particularly other priests serving in his lineage. Their impurity or sin could defile him or the holy office, necessitating their inclusion in his personal atonement. This signifies a collective purity requirement for the High Priest and his direct sphere of influence.

• "his bull of the sin offering, which is for himself": This phrase precisely links the sacrificial animal, the type of offering (sin offering), and its explicit purpose. It underscores the profound weight of the High Priest's personal and official responsibilities; even the chief spiritual leader of the nation requires significant and costly atonement for his own impurity before he can represent the people. The bull signifies a comprehensive and weighty purging.
• "and make atonement for himself and for his house": This phrase delineates the twofold scope of Aaron's initial atonement. It establishes a necessary spiritual progression: cleansing and reconciliation for the High Priest individually, followed by his closest associates and family members. This personal and domestic purification is a prerequisite for all subsequent steps of the Day of Atonement ritual that pertain to the wider community and the Tabernacle itself. It emphasizes that sin's defiling influence extends beyond the individual and that holiness begins at home for God's chosen representative.

Leviticus 16 6 Bonus section

• The selection of a bull for Aaron's personal sin offering reinforces the gravity of the High Priest's sins and impurities. In the graded system of Levitical sacrifices, a bull was typically required for the sin of an anointed priest or the whole community, signifying the serious impact of their transgression on the holy covenant and sanctuary (Lev 4:3-12, 13-21).
• The act of making atonement (kaphar) primarily speaks of a "covering" or "purging." While the Old Testament atonement rituals covered sin, they did not entirely remove the need for repeated sacrifices. This cyclical need foreshadowed the once-for-all, perfect sacrifice of Christ, who truly takes away sin rather than merely covering it (Heb 10:4).
• This verse, part of the Day of Atonement, distinguishes Israel's unique, God-ordained system from contemporaneous pagan purification rituals. Israel's atonement was not a magical rite or human self-mutilation but a divinely commanded act, involving a substitutionary animal life given by God as the means to approach His holiness, reinforcing God's sovereignty and provision.

Leviticus 16 6 Commentary

Leviticus 16:6 reveals the fundamental principle that anyone approaching God, especially for sacred service, must first be pure and atoned for. Aaron, as the highest spiritual leader, symbolizes all of Israel. His offering for himself and his household underscores the pervasive nature of sin, even for the most devout, and the strict demands of God's holiness. This annual act, with its costly bull offering and detailed ritual, highlights that human effort is insufficient to deal with sin; divine provision, symbolized by the shed blood, is essential for reconciliation and purification. This verse starkly contrasts the earthly high priest's inherent sinfulness with the flawless purity of Christ, the true and eternal High Priest (Heb 7:27). Unlike Aaron, who needed to offer for his own sins, Jesus, being without sin, offered Himself once for all time, making complete and final atonement for His people.