Leviticus 16:30

KJV

For on that day shall [the priest] make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, [that] ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

For on that day {H3117} shall the priest make an atonement {H3722} for you, to cleanse {H2891} you, that ye may be clean {H2891} from all your sins {H2403} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For on this day, atonement will be made for you to purify you; you will be clean before ADONAI from all your sins.

Berean Standard Bible

because on this day atonement will be made for you to cleanse you, and you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD.

American Standard Version

for on this day shall atonement be made for you, to cleanse you; from all your sins shall ye be clean before Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 16:30 encapsulates the profound purpose of the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), revealing God's provision for the comprehensive cleansing of the Israelite community from all their sins. On this singular day, the high priest performed intricate rituals, acting as mediator to secure a covering and purification for the people, enabling them to stand ritually and spiritually clean before the holy presence of the LORD. This annual event underscored the gravity of sin, the necessity of divine intervention, and God's gracious pathway for reconciliation with His covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 16 meticulously details the rituals for the Day of Atonement, the most sacred day in the Israelite calendar. The preceding verses (Leviticus 16:1-28) outline the specific preparations and actions of the high priest: cleansing himself, offering a bull for his own sins, and then presenting two goats for the sins of the people—one sacrificed to the LORD and its blood brought into the Most Holy Place, and the other, the "scapegoat," sent into the wilderness bearing the nation's iniquities. Verse 30, therefore, serves as a climactic summary, stating the ultimate outcome and purpose of these elaborate procedures, particularly emphasizing the cleansing effect of the atonement. The verses immediately following (Leviticus 16:31-34) reinforce the perpetual nature of this ordinance, specifying it as a Sabbath of solemn rest and a perpetual statute for future generations, underscoring its enduring significance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, was the only day of the year when the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place (also known as the Holy of Holies) of the Tabernacle, where God's presence was uniquely manifested above the ark of the covenant. This annual ritual was critical for the spiritual health of the nation of Israel, as it addressed the corporate accumulation of sin and defilement that occurred throughout the year. Unlike other sacrifices that dealt with specific sins, Yom Kippur provided a comprehensive, national cleansing for both known and unknown transgressions, including the defilement of the sanctuary itself by the people's presence. The concept of ritual purity was paramount in ancient Israelite society, as seen throughout [the book of Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus - Laws of Holiness"), because an impure people could not dwell in the presence of a holy God. This day of fasting and humility (as mentioned in [Leviticus 16:29](/leviticus/16-29 "Leviticus 16:29 - Day of Atonement Observance")) was a solemn reminder of the chasm between human sinfulness and divine holiness, and God's gracious provision to bridge that gap through prescribed atonement.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Atonement (Hebrew, _kaphar'_):** This verb, translated "make an atonement," literally means "to cover," "to purge," or "to make propitiation." In the context of the Old Testament sacrificial system, _kaphar_ refers to the act of covering sin in such a way that it is removed from God's sight, allowing for reconciliation and the restoration of a right relationship between God and His people. It implies a satisfaction of divine justice, not by ignoring sin, but by dealing with it through a prescribed means, typically involving the shedding of blood.
* **Cleanse (Hebrew, _taher'_):** Derived from the root meaning "to be clean" or "to purify," this verb signifies the removal of impurity, whether ritual, moral, or spiritual. In Leviticus 16:30, it refers to the state of purity achieved through the atonement rituals, enabling the people to be acceptable in God's presence. It emphasizes the transformation from a state of defilement to one of holiness, essential for fellowship with a holy God.
* **Sins (Hebrew, _chattā’āh'_):** This noun, often translated "sin" or "sin offering," fundamentally means "missing the mark" or "straying from the path." It encompasses a wide range of transgressions, from unintentional errors to deliberate rebellion against God's commands. The phrase "all your sins" in this verse highlights the comprehensive nature of the Day of Atonement's cleansing, addressing the collective guilt and defilement of the entire community, both known and unknown transgressions accumulated throughout the year.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For on that day shall [the priest] make an atonement for you":** This clause pinpoints the specific timing and agent of the cleansing. "That day" unequivocally refers to Yom Kippur, the unique annual day set apart for national purification. The bracketed "the priest" (implied from the context of Leviticus 16) refers specifically to the high priest, who alone was authorized to perform the most sacred rituals, including entering the Most Holy Place. His actions were not for himself alone but "for you," meaning on behalf of the entire community of Israel, underscoring his crucial mediatorial role.
* **"to cleanse you":** This phrase states the immediate and direct purpose of the atonement. The elaborate rituals performed by the high priest, culminating in the application of the blood, were divinely ordained to effect a purification. This cleansing was both ceremonial, removing ritual defilement, and spiritual, addressing the moral stain of sin, making the people fit to remain in covenant relationship with a holy God.
* **"[that] ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD":** This final clause reveals the ultimate goal and comprehensive scope of the Day of Atonement. The cleansing was not partial but "from all your sins," signifying a thorough and complete removal of the accumulated guilt and defilement of the nation for the preceding year. The phrase "before the LORD" emphasizes the relational aspect: the purpose was to restore the people to a state of acceptability and unhindered fellowship in God's holy presence, ensuring the continuation of His dwelling among them.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 16:30 employs several literary devices to emphasize its profound message. **Repetition** is evident in the use of related terms for purity: "cleanse you" and "be clean." This reiteration underscores the thoroughness and necessity of the purification process. The phrase "all your sins" serves as a form of **hyperbole** or **emphasis**, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the atonement, designed to cover every transgression, known and unknown, that had accumulated within the community. The entire chapter, and this verse within it, functions as a powerful example of **ritual language** and **symbolism**. The physical acts of sacrifice, blood application, and the high priest's actions are not merely rote movements but are laden with theological meaning, symbolizing the spiritual reality of sin's defilement and God's provision for its removal, allowing for reconciliation and continued divine presence among His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 16:30 stands as a cornerstone of Old Testament theology, revealing God's unwavering commitment to holiness while simultaneously providing a gracious pathway for sinful humanity to approach Him. It underscores the profound truth that sin creates a barrier between God and humanity, necessitating a divine provision for cleansing and reconciliation. The annual nature of the Day of Atonement, however, implicitly highlighted the temporary and incomplete nature of the animal sacrifices; they covered sins for a year but could not permanently remove the guilt or transform the heart. This ritual, therefore, served as a prophetic shadow, pointing forward to a more perfect, once-for-all sacrifice that would truly and eternally cleanse from sin and enable permanent access to God's presence.

* [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - Life in the Blood")
* [Isaiah 1:18](/isaiah/1-18 "Isaiah 1:18 - Sins Made White as Snow")
* [Psalm 51:7](/psalms/51-7 "Psalm 51:7 - Washing and Cleansing")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 16:30 offers a profound spiritual lesson for believers today. It starkly reminds us of the absolute holiness of God and the pervasive nature of human sin. The meticulous and costly rituals of the Day of Atonement reveal that sin is not trivial; it demands a serious, divinely ordained remedy. This verse should cultivate within us a deep sense of gratitude for God's merciful provision for cleansing, acknowledging that our own efforts are insufficient to bridge the gap created by sin. It calls us to humility, recognizing our constant need for purification, and to a profound appreciation for the ultimate fulfillment of this Old Testament shadow in Christ. We are invited to reflect on the comprehensive nature of God's cleansing, which promises to make us "clean from all your sins," fostering confidence in His complete forgiveness and enabling us to live in His presence without fear or shame.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the annual nature of Yom Kippur highlight the ongoing human need for forgiveness and the temporary nature of the Old Covenant sacrifices?**
* **In what ways does this verse underscore the holiness of God and the gravity of sin, prompting us to a deeper reverence?**
* **How does understanding the high priest's mediatorial role in Leviticus 16:30 shape our appreciation for Jesus as our ultimate High Priest?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "that day" in this verse?**

Answer: "That day" refers specifically to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, a unique and solemn annual observance in the Israelite calendar. It was distinct from all other sacrifices and rituals because it was the one day when the high priest entered the Most Holy Place to make a comprehensive atonement for the sins of the entire nation, including the defilement of the Tabernacle/Temple itself. This emphasis on "that day" highlights its unparalleled importance and the singular nature of the corporate cleansing it provided for the community before the LORD, as detailed throughout [Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement").

**Was the cleansing on the Day of Atonement permanent?**

Answer: The cleansing provided on the Day of Atonement was comprehensive for the nation for that year, but it was not permanent in an ultimate sense. It was a provisional, annual, and ceremonial cleansing that needed to be repeated year after year. The very necessity of its annual repetition underscored that the blood of bulls and goats could not truly take away sin (as later explained in [Hebrews 10:4](/hebrews/10-4 "Hebrews 10:4 - The Inadequacy of Animal Sacrifices")). Rather, it pointed forward to a future, perfect, and eternal atonement that would provide a once-for-all cleansing for sin.

**How does the priest's role here relate to personal responsibility for sin?**

Answer: While the high priest performed the corporate atonement for the nation's sins on Yom Kippur, this did not negate individual responsibility for sin. The Day of Atonement was also a day for personal introspection, fasting, and humility (as seen in [Leviticus 23:27-32](/leviticus/23-27 "Leviticus 23:27-32 - Observance of Yom Kippur")). Individuals were expected to "afflict their souls," which implied repentance and a personal turning to God. The priest's actions provided the *means* for corporate cleansing, but individuals still needed to align themselves with this divine provision through a humble and repentant heart.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 16:30, with its emphasis on the high priest making atonement to cleanse from all sins before the LORD, finds its glorious and complete fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The annual, repetitive nature of the Day of Atonement rituals underscored their temporary efficacy, serving as a powerful shadow pointing to the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Christ. As the ultimate High Priest, Jesus did not offer the blood of animals but His own precious blood, entering not into an earthly sanctuary but into heaven itself, to obtain eternal redemption for us ([Hebrews 9:11-12](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-12 - Christ, Our High Priest")). His single offering on the cross perfectly accomplished what the Day of Atonement could only foreshadow: a complete and eternal cleansing from "all your sins." Through faith in Him, believers are not merely covered for a year but are permanently purified and made righteous, enabling them to draw near to God with confidence, having been made perfectly clean in His sight ([Hebrews 10:14](/hebrews/10-14 "Hebrews 10:14 - Perfected Forever by One Offering")). The efficacy of Christ's sacrifice means that the need for annual atonement has ceased, for He has truly taken away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), establishing a new and living way into the very presence of God ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Boldness to Enter the Holiest")).

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

Jeremiah 33:8

And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me.

Ephesians 5:26

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

Psalms 51:2

Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

1 John 1:7

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Hebrews 10:1

¶ For the law having a shadow of good things to come, [and] not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

Hebrews 10:2

For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.