Leviticus 16:23

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:

And Aaron {H175} shall come {H935} into the tabernacle {H168} of the congregation {H4150}, and shall put off {H6584} the linen {H906} garments {H899}, which he put on {H3847} when he went {H935} into the holy {H6944} place, and shall leave {H3240} them there:

"Aharon is to go back into the tent of meeting, where he is to remove the linen garments he put on when he entered the Holy Place, and he is to leave them there.

Then Aaron is to enter the Tent of Meeting, take off the linen garments he put on before entering the Most Holy Place, and leave them there.

And Aaron shall come into the tent of meeting, and shall put off the linen garments, which he put on when he went into the holy place, and shall leave them there:

Commentary

Leviticus 16:23 describes a specific action taken by Aaron, the High Priest, as part of the elaborate rituals for the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). After completing the most sacred part of the day's ceremonies—making atonement for himself and the people in the Most Holy Place—Aaron is instructed to change out of the special linen garments he wore for those specific rites.

Context

This verse is central to the detailed instructions given in Leviticus chapter 16 concerning the annual Day of Atonement, the most solemn day in the Israelite calendar. Earlier in the chapter, Aaron is commanded to put on these simple, white linen garments before entering the Most Holy Place, the innermost sanctuary of the tabernacle, to offer sacrifices for sin (Leviticus 16:4). The act of putting off these garments and leaving them in the tabernacle signifies the completion of the most critical, sacred phase of the atonement rituals. He would then put on his regular, more ornate priestly garments for the subsequent burnt offerings and final rituals of the day (Leviticus 16:24).

Key Themes

  • Purity and Holiness: The linen garments, distinct from his usual "garments for glory and for beauty" (Exodus 28:2), symbolized the humility and purity required for approaching God in the Most Holy Place. Laying them aside underscored the sacredness and completion of the unique atonement work.
  • Ritual Completion and Transition: The changing of garments marked a clear transition from one sacred duty to another. It emphasized that each part of the Day of Atonement had its specific requirements and significance, and that the garments themselves were consecrated to that specific, most holy function.
  • Atonement for Sin: This entire sequence of rituals highlighted the gravity of sin and the divine provision for its atonement, a core message of the Old Testament sacrificial system.

Linguistic Insights

The term "linen garments" in Hebrew is bigde-bad, referring to fine, pure white linen. This material was chosen for its simplicity and association with purity, contrasting with the more elaborate and colorful vestments worn for other priestly duties. The "holy [place]" (Hebrew: ha-qodesh) specifically refers to the Most Holy Place, the sanctuary where God's presence was manifested, and only the High Priest could enter, and that only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Hebrews 9:7).

Practical Application

This verse, though part of ancient ritual law, offers enduring insights. It teaches us about the seriousness with which God's presence and holy work should be approached. Just as Aaron changed his garments to signify the distinct phases of his service, we are called to approach different aspects of our spiritual walk with appropriate reverence and focus. More profoundly, these Old Testament rituals foreshadowed the perfect and complete work of Jesus Christ, our ultimate High Priest. Unlike Aaron, Christ offered Himself as the final sacrifice, requiring no repeated rituals or changes of garments, for His atonement was once for all (Hebrews 10:10).

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Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 44:19

    And when they go forth into the utter court, [even] into the utter court to the people, they shall put off their garments wherein they ministered, and lay them in the holy chambers, and they shall put on other garments; and they shall not sanctify the people with their garments.

  • Ezekiel 42:14

    When the priests enter therein, then shall they not go out of the holy [place] into the utter court, but there they shall lay their garments wherein they minister; for they [are] holy; and shall put on other garments, and shall approach to [those things] which [are] for the people.

  • Philippians 2:6

    Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

  • Philippians 2:11

    And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

  • Leviticus 16:4

    He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these [are] holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and [so] put them on.

  • Romans 8:3

    For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

  • Hebrews 9:28

    So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
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