Leviticus 16:14

KJV

And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle [it] with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he shall take {H3947} of the blood {H1818} of the bullock {H6499}, and sprinkle {H5137} it with his finger {H676} upon the mercy seat {H3727} eastward {H6924}; and before {H6440} the mercy seat {H3727} shall he sprinkle {H5137} of the blood {H1818} with his finger {H676} seven {H7651} times {H6471}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He is to take some of the bull's blood and sprinkle it with his finger on the ark-cover toward the east; and in front of the ark-cover he is to sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times.

Berean Standard Bible

And he is to take some of the bull’s blood and sprinkle it with his finger on the east side of the mercy seat; then he shall sprinkle some of it with his finger seven times before the mercy seat.

American Standard Version

and he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy-seat on the east; and before the mercy-seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 16:14 details a pivotal moment in the annual Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) ritual, where the High Priest, having sacrificed a bull as a sin offering for himself and his household, enters the Holy of Holies. With sacred precision, he takes a portion of the bullock’s blood and sprinkles it directly onto the mercy seat (the lid of the Ark of the Covenant) and then seven times before it, symbolizing a comprehensive act of propitiation and purification before God's holy presence. This meticulous action underscores the absolute necessity of blood for atonement and the profound reverence required to approach the divine.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 16 provides the most comprehensive and detailed instructions for the Day of Atonement, the most solemn day in the Israelite calendar. The chapter begins by setting the stage with the tragic deaths of Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10), underscoring the extreme holiness of God and the strict requirements for approaching Him. Following this, the chapter outlines the specific preparations and rituals for Aaron, the High Priest, to enter the Holy of Holies. Verse 14 specifically describes the application of the blood from the bullock, which was offered as a sin offering for the High Priest and his household (Leviticus 16:6). This act precedes the sacrifice of the goat for the people's sins and the sending away of the scapegoat (Leviticus 16:15-22), establishing the High Priest's own purification as a prerequisite for mediating on behalf of the nation. The entire chapter emphasizes the gravity of sin and the divine provision for its atonement through blood sacrifice.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) was the only day of the year when the High Priest was permitted to enter the Holy of Holies, the innermost sanctuary of the Tabernacle (later the Temple), where the Ark of the Covenant and its mercy seat resided. This space was considered the dwelling place of God's manifest presence (Exodus 25:22). The ritual described in Leviticus 16:14 was not merely symbolic; it was believed to be the actual means by which the sins of the High Priest and, subsequently, the entire nation, were covered and atoned for before a holy God. The bullock's blood represented the life given in substitution for the High Priest's own sins, acknowledging that even the holiest human mediator needed cleansing to stand before the divine. The mercy seat (Hebrew: *kapporet*) itself was intrinsically linked to atonement, serving as the focal point where God met with His people to grant forgiveness. The precise eastward direction and the sevenfold sprinkling were not arbitrary; they signified a complete, perfect, and divinely ordained act of purification and propitiation necessary to bridge the chasm between a sinful people and a righteous God. The entire ceremony served as an annual reminder of the cost of sin and the gracious provision for reconciliation, deeply embedding the concept of [atonement through blood](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - Life in the Blood") within Israelite consciousness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mercy Seat (Hebrew, _kapporet'_):** This term refers to the golden lid of the Ark of the Covenant, adorned with two cherubim. Its Hebrew root, *kaphar*, means "to cover," "to atone," or "to make propitiation." Thus, the "mercy seat" is literally the "place of covering" or the "place of atonement," signifying where God's wrath against sin was appeased and reconciliation achieved. It was the focal point of God's presence and the designated place for the annual atonement.
* **Sprinkle (Hebrew, _nazah'_):** This verb describes the act of flicking or splashing liquid, often blood or water, for ritual purification or consecration. In this context, the High Priest uses his finger to apply the blood. The act of sprinkling was not merely decorative but conveyed the transfer of purity, the application of atoning power, or the consecration of an object or person. Here, it signifies the application of the atoning blood to the very throne of God's presence.
* **Seven Times (Hebrew, _sheva'_):** The number seven frequently appears in biblical contexts to denote completeness, perfection, divine fullness, or a sacred covenant. The sevenfold sprinkling of blood before the mercy seat emphasizes the thoroughness, efficacy, and divine perfection of the atonement ritual. It signifies that the cleansing and propitiation were complete and fully acceptable to God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he shall take of the blood of the bullock":** This clause specifies the source of the atoning agent: the blood of the bullock sacrificed as a sin offering for the High Priest and his household. Blood, representing life (Leviticus 17:11), was the divinely appointed means for making atonement, signifying a life given in exchange for the life of the sinner.
* **"and sprinkle [it] with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward":** This describes the precise action and location. The High Priest applies the blood directly to the *kapporet* (mercy seat) using his finger, indicating a deliberate and personal act. The "eastward" direction likely refers to the side of the mercy seat facing the entrance of the Holy of Holies, or simply the orientation of the High Priest as he faced the mercy seat. This direct application signifies the presentation of the atoning blood to God Himself, at the very seat of His presence and authority.
* **"and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times":** Following the initial sprinkling directly on the mercy seat, the High Priest performs a repeated action, sprinkling the blood seven times *before* the mercy seat. This repeated, sevenfold application emphasizes the completeness and perfection of the atonement being made. It signifies a thorough cleansing and propitiation, ensuring that the entire sacred space and the people represented were fully covered by the atoning sacrifice.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 16:14 is rich in **Symbolism**. The **blood** itself is the primary symbol, representing life and serving as the divinely appointed means of atonement and purification. Its application signifies the transfer of life given in sacrifice to cover sin. The **mercy seat** is another profound symbol, representing the very throne of God's presence, where His justice and mercy meet, and where propitiation for sin is made. The act of **sprinkling** is symbolic of purification, consecration, and the application of atoning power. Finally, the number **seven** is a powerful symbol of completeness, perfection, and divine fullness, emphasizing the thoroughness and efficacy of the atonement ritual. The entire passage functions as a detailed **Ritual** description, meticulously outlining the steps required for a sacred act of reconciliation, highlighting the absolute holiness of God and the precise means by which sinful humanity could approach Him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 16:14 profoundly illustrates several core theological truths: the necessity of blood for atonement, the absolute holiness of God, the concept of substitutionary sacrifice, and the role of mediation. The meticulous ritual demonstrates that sin creates a barrier between humanity and a holy God, a barrier that can only be overcome through a divinely appointed means of propitiation—the shedding and application of innocent blood. The High Priest's careful actions underscore the gravity of sin and the immense reverence required to approach the divine presence. This annual ceremony provided a temporary covering for sins, reminding Israel that true reconciliation required a life given in exchange, foreshadowing a greater, more permanent sacrifice.

* [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Life is in the Blood"): "For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul."
* [Hebrews 9:7](/hebrews/9-7 "Hebrews 9:7 - High Priest Enters Holy of Holies"): "But into the second tabernacle went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people."
* [Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ as Propitiation"): "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 16:14, though describing an ancient ritual, speaks powerfully to the enduring truths of God's holiness, the gravity of sin, and the divine provision for reconciliation. It forces us to confront the reality that sin is not trivial; it demands a costly remedy. The High Priest's trembling steps into the Holy of Holies, armed only with the atoning blood, remind us of the immense chasm between a righteous God and sinful humanity, and the utter impossibility of approaching Him on our own terms. This verse cultivates a profound sense of awe and gratitude, knowing that God Himself established the means by which He could be both just and the justifier. For us today, it should deepen our appreciation for the ultimate sacrifice that fulfilled and surpassed this Old Testament shadow, leading us to humble worship and confident access to God through Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of this ritual emphasize the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin?**
* **What does the necessity of blood for atonement teach us about the cost of sin and the value of life?**
* **In what ways does this ancient ritual challenge our modern tendency to minimize sin or presume upon God's grace?**
* **How does understanding this Old Testament act of propitiation deepen your appreciation for the New Testament fulfillment in Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why was the High Priest required to offer a sacrifice for himself before the people?**

Answer: The High Priest, despite his sacred office, was still a sinful human being. Before he could mediate for the sins of the nation, he first had to be purified and atoned for his own sins and those of his household. This underscored the universal nature of sin and the fact that no human mediator is inherently perfect or able to stand before a holy God without divine provision for cleansing. This requirement highlights the profound difference between the Old Testament High Priests and the perfect, sinless High Priest to come, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7:27-28).

**What is the significance of sprinkling the blood "seven times"?**

Answer: The number "seven" in the Bible often symbolizes completeness, perfection, or divine fullness. Sprinkling the blood seven times upon and before the mercy seat indicated that the act of atonement was thoroughly and perfectly accomplished, fully satisfying God's requirements for purification and propitiation. It conveyed the divine acceptance and efficacy of the sacrifice, ensuring a complete covering for sin. This perfect, sevenfold act points to the "once for all" perfect sacrifice of Christ (Hebrews 10:10).

**Was the mercy seat merely a physical object, or did it have deeper meaning?**

Answer: The mercy seat (Hebrew: *kapporet*) was indeed a physical, golden lid on the Ark of the Covenant, but its meaning was profoundly spiritual and theological. It was considered the very place where God's presence manifested (Exodus 25:22) and where He met with His people to grant forgiveness. Its name, derived from the verb "to cover" or "to atone," signifies its function as the focal point of propitiation. It was the "throne of grace" in the Old Testament, foreshadowing the ultimate access to God's grace through Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 16:14, with its meticulous ritual of blood application on the mercy seat, serves as a powerful and profound shadow pointing directly to the ultimate work of Jesus Christ. The High Priest's annual, temporary entrance into the earthly Holy of Holies, bearing the blood of animals, finds its eternal fulfillment in Christ, our Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14). Unlike Aaron, who had to offer sacrifices repeatedly for his own sins and those of the people (Hebrews 7:27), Jesus, being sinless, offered Himself "once for all" (Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 10:10). His own precious blood, not that of bulls and goats, was shed as the perfect and final atonement, not on a physical mercy seat, but in the heavenly sanctuary itself, securing "eternal redemption" (Hebrews 9:12). Through His sacrifice, Jesus became the true and living "mercy seat," the very place where God's justice is satisfied and His boundless mercy is extended to all who believe. We no longer approach a veiled sanctuary with animal blood, but through Christ's finished work, we have bold and direct access to the "throne of grace" (Hebrews 4:16), finding mercy and grace in time of need. The sevenfold sprinkling for completeness in Leviticus is perfectly realized in Christ's singular, all-sufficient sacrifice, which completely and eternally purifies us from sin (1 John 1:7) and grants us full communion with God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 9:25

Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;

Leviticus 4:5

And the priest that is anointed shall take of the bullock's blood, and bring it to the tabernacle of the congregation:

Leviticus 4:6

And the priest shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle of the blood seven times before the LORD, before the vail of the sanctuary.

Hebrews 9:13

For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

Hebrews 10:4

For [it is] not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

Leviticus 4:17

And the priest shall dip his finger [in some] of the blood, and sprinkle [it] seven times before the LORD, [even] before the vail.

Leviticus 8:11

And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all his vessels, both the laver and his foot, to sanctify them.