King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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:
Complete Jewish Bible:
He is to put the incense on the fire before ADONAI, so that the cloud from the incense will cover the ark-cover which is over the testimony, in order that he not die.
Berean Standard Bible:
He is to put the incense on the fire before the LORD, and the cloud of incense will cover the mercy seat above the Testimony, so that he will not die.
American Standard Version:
and he shall put the incense upon the fire before Jehovah, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy-seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not:
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And he shall put{H5414} the incense{H7004} upon the fire{H784} before{H6440} the LORD{H3068}, that the cloud{H6051} of the incense{H7004} may cover{H3680} the mercy seat{H3727} that is upon the testimony{H5715}, that he die{H4191} not:
Cross-References (KJV):
Exodus 25:21
- And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.
Exodus 30:7
- And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it.
Exodus 30:8
- And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.
Exodus 30:1
- ¶ And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: [of] shittim wood shalt thou make it.
1 John 2:1
- ¶ My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
1 John 2:2
- And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world.
Numbers 16:7
- And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow: and it shall be [that] the man whom the LORD doth choose, he [shall be] holy: [ye take] too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.
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Commentary for Leviticus 16:13
Leviticus 16:13 is a part of the detailed instructions given to the Israelites for the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), which is one of the most significant holy days in the Jewish calendar. This verse specifically describes an element of the ritual that the High Priest must perform within the Holy of Holies, the most sacred part of the Tabernacle (and later the Temple), where the Ark of the Covenant resides.
**Themes:**
1. **Atonement and Forgiveness:** The Day of Atonement is centered on the theme of atonement for the sins of the people. It is a day of confession, repentance, and seeking forgiveness from God.
2. **Holiness and Reverence:** The elaborate rituals, including the use of incense, emphasize the holiness of God and the reverence with which the Israelites must approach Him.
3. **Priesthood and Mediation:** The role of the High Priest as mediator between God and the people is highlighted. He alone can enter the Holy of Holies, and only on this day, to make atonement.
4. **Ritual Purity:** The strict adherence to the prescribed rituals, including the use of incense to create a cloud, ensures that the High Priest does not die when he encounters the divine presence, which underscores the importance of ritual purity.
**Historical Context:**
The Book of Leviticus is traditionally attributed to Moses and is part of the Torah, the foundational scripture of Judaism. It contains laws and rituals primarily concerned with how the Israelites are to live in holiness and maintain their relationship with a holy God. Leviticus 16 outlines the ceremonies for the Day of Atonement, which would have been observed during the time when the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) was the center of Israelite worship.
The incense mentioned in the verse was a special blend that, when burned, produced a cloud that would cover the mercy seat—the gold lid of the Ark of the Covenant, where the presence of God was believed to dwell. The cloud of incense served both as a symbolic covering for the mercy seat and as a protective measure to shield the High Priest's eyes from a direct view of God's glory, which was thought to be lethal.
In summary, Leviticus 16:13 reflects the solemn and intricate rituals of the Day of Atonement, emphasizing the themes of atonement, holiness, mediation, and ritual purity within the context of ancient Israelite worship and their covenantal relationship with God.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5414
There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָתַן
Transliteration: nâthan
Pronunciation: naw-than'
Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. - Strong's Number: H7004
There are 58 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קְטֹרֶת
Transliteration: qᵉṭôreth
Pronunciation: ket-o'-reth
Description: from קָטַר; a fumigation; (sweet) incense, perfume. - Strong's Number: H784
There are 549 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֵשׁ
Transliteration: ʼêsh
Pronunciation: aysh
Description: a primitive word; fire (literally or figuratively); burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot. - Strong's Number: H6440
There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּנִים
Transliteration: pânîym
Pronunciation: paw-neem'
Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H6051
There are 80 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָנָן
Transliteration: ʻânân
Pronunciation: aw-nawn'
Description: from עָנַן; a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e. the nimbus or thunder-cloud; cloud(-y). - Strong's Number: H3680
There are 149 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כָּסָה
Transliteration: kâçâh
Pronunciation: kaw-saw'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy); clad self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide, overwhelm. Compare כָּשָׂה. - Strong's Number: H3727
There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כַּפֹּרֶת
Transliteration: kappôreth
Pronunciation: kap-po'-reth
Description: from כָּפַר; a lid (used only of the cover of the sacred Ark); mercy seat. - Strong's Number: H5715
There are 57 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֵדוּת
Transliteration: ʻêdûwth
Pronunciation: ay-dooth'
Description: feminine of עֵד; testimony; testimony, witness. - Strong's Number: H4191
There are 694 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מוּת
Transliteration: mûwth
Pronunciation: mooth
Description: a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill; [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise.