Leviticus 16:13

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:

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:

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.

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.

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:

Commentary

Leviticus 16:13 describes a critical step in the annual Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) ritual, performed by the High Priest. This verse highlights the profound reverence and specific requirements necessary for approaching God's holy presence without incurring divine judgment.

Context

This verse is part of the instructions for the Day of Atonement, detailed in Leviticus chapter 16. This was the most solemn day in the Israelite calendar, the only day the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies โ€“ the innermost sanctuary of the Tabernacle (and later, the Temple) โ€“ where the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat resided. The ritual was designed to atone for the sins of the entire nation of Israel, both priests and people. The High Priest had to undergo extensive purification rituals himself before even beginning the process, as outlined in Leviticus 16:4.

The immediate preceding verses describe the High Priest bringing a censer full of burning coals from the altar and two handfuls of sweet incense into the Holy of Holies. Verse 13 then specifies the action:

  • "And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD": This act creates a thick cloud of smoke.
  • "that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that [is] upon the testimony": The "mercy seat" (Hebrew: kapporet) was the golden lid of the Ark of the Covenant, where God's presence was specifically manifested (Exodus 25:22). The "testimony" refers to the two tablets of the Law (the Ten Commandments) kept inside the Ark. The covering cloud served as a protective barrier.
  • "that he die not": This phrase underscores the extreme danger of approaching God's absolute holiness without proper mediation and purification. Disregard for these divine protocols could result in immediate death, as seen with Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10:1-2.

Key Themes

  • God's Holiness and Man's Sinfulness: The meticulous instructions and the warning "that he die not" powerfully convey the infinite gap between a holy God and sinful humanity. Direct, unmediated access was impossible and deadly.
  • Atonement and Mediation: The entire ritual, including the incense cloud, was a necessary step in the process of seeking forgiveness and reconciliation for the nation's sins. The High Priest acted as the sole mediator between God and Israel.
  • Reverence and Obedience: The detailed commands emphasize the necessity of strict obedience and deep reverence when engaging in divine worship. Any deviation could have fatal consequences.
  • Symbolism of Incense: In the Old Testament, incense often symbolized the prayers of God's people ascending to Him (see Psalm 141:2; Revelation 8:3-4). Here, it also serves as a protective cloud, allowing the High Priest to perform his sacred duties safely.

Linguistic Insights

The term "mercy seat" is a translation of the Hebrew word kapporet (ื›ึทึผืคึนึผืจึถืช), which is derived from the root kaphar (ื›ึธึผืคึทืจ), meaning "to cover," "to atone," or "to purge." This etymology directly links the mercy seat to the concept of atonement, as it was the place where the blood of the sacrifice was sprinkled to "cover" or atone for sins.

The "incense" (Hebrew: qetoret - ืงึฐื˜ึนืจึถืช) was a specially prescribed mixture of spices, designed to produce a fragrant smoke. Its use here is both symbolic of prayer and functional as a cloud to obscure the priest's direct view of the divine presence, protecting him.

Practical Application

While the Old Testament sacrificial system and the role of the High Priest have been fulfilled, Leviticus 16:13 still offers profound truths for believers today:

  1. The Holiness of God Endures: God's absolute holiness remains unchanged. We cannot approach Him flippantly or on our own terms.
  2. Christ, Our High Priest: The elaborate rituals of the Day of Atonement, including the High Priest's entry into the Holy of Holies, pointed forward to Jesus Christ. He is our ultimate High Priest who entered the heavenly Holy of Holies "once for all" with His own blood, securing eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12).
  3. Access Through Christ: Because of Christ's perfect sacrifice and mediation, believers now have bold and direct access to God's presence, not through a literal cloud of incense, but through faith in His atoning work. We are invited to "draw near with confidence to the throne of grace" (Hebrews 4:16).
  4. Reverence and Humility: This verse reminds us that while we have access, it is a privileged access earned by Christ, not by our merit. It calls for continued reverence, humility, and a recognition of the immense cost of our redemption.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 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

    ยถ And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: [of] shittim wood shalt thou make it.

  • 1 John 2:1

    ยถ 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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