Leviticus 16:24

Leviticus 16:24 (KJV) is a pivotal verse within the detailed instructions for the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the most solemn day in ancient Israel's religious calendar. It describes a crucial step in the High Priest's ritual duties, emphasizing personal purification before concluding the public sacrifices.

Context of Leviticus 16:24: The Day of Atonement

This verse follows the High Priest's (Aaron's) entry into the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies) to sprinkle the blood of the sin offering for himself and for the people, and for the sanctuary itself (Leviticus 16:16). After these solemn, private acts of atonement, the High Priest must perform a ritual washing. The "holy place" here refers not to the Most Holy Place, but to the Tabernacle courtyard area where these purification rites and subsequent public offerings would occur. This washing signifies a renewal of purity before he changes back into his regular priestly garments and performs the final communal burnt offerings.

Key Themes and Messages

• Purification and Holiness: The act of "washing his flesh with water" underscores the absolute necessity of ritual purity for anyone serving God, especially the High Priest. This physical cleansing symbolized spiritual cleansing required for approaching the divine.
• Atonement for All: The verse highlights the dual nature of the atonement: for the High Priest himself ("for himself") and "for the people." Even the mediator needed cleansing for his own sins before he could effectively mediate for others.
• Sacrifice and Reconciliation: The "burnt offering" (olah in Hebrew) was a voluntary offering of complete surrender and devotion, ascending as a "sweet savour" to God. Here, it is explicitly linked to "make an atonement," signifying reconciliation and restoration of relationship between God and Israel.
• Order and Precision: The meticulously prescribed sequence of events on the Day of Atonement, including this washing and change of garments, demonstrates God's demand for order, reverence, and obedience in worship.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "make an atonement" comes from the Hebrew verb kaphar (כָּפַר), which primarily means "to cover," "to purge," "to cleanse," or "to make reconciliation." In the context of the Day of Atonement, it signifies the covering over of sins, allowing God's holy presence to remain among an otherwise sinful people. This foreshadows the ultimate covering for sin provided by Christ.

Related Scriptures

This verse, like the entire Day of Atonement ritual, powerfully foreshadows the work of Jesus Christ. As the ultimate Great High Priest, Jesus did not need to offer sacrifices for His own sins, as He was without sin (Hebrews 7:27). His one-time sacrifice on the cross was the perfect and final atonement, making reconciliation possible for all who believe (Romans 5:11). Unlike the Levitical High Priest who had to repeatedly purify himself and offer sacrifices, Christ's work was complete and eternal.

Practical Application

For believers today, Leviticus 16:24 reminds us of the profound holiness of God and the seriousness of sin. While we no longer participate in these Old Testament rituals, the principles remain:

• The Need for Cleansing: We are called to spiritual purity, washed by the blood of Christ and renewed by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).
• Humility in Service: Even those in leadership or ministry must acknowledge their own need for God's grace and cleansing before serving others.
• The Efficacy of Christ's Work: We rest in the complete and sufficient atonement provided by Jesus, which surpasses the temporary effectiveness of the Old Testament sacrifices.