Leviticus 16:33

And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation, and for the altar, and he shall make an atonement for the priests, and for all the people of the congregation.

And he shall make an atonement {H3722} for the holy {H6944} sanctuary {H4720}, and he shall make an atonement {H3722} for the tabernacle {H168} of the congregation {H4150}, and for the altar {H4196}, and he shall make an atonement {H3722} for the priests {H3548}, and for all the people {H5971} of the congregation {H6951}.

he will make atonement for the Especially Holy Place; he will make atonement for the tent of meeting and the altar; and he will make atonement for the cohanim and for all the people of the community.

and make atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting, and the altar, and for the priests and all the people of the assembly.

and he shall make atonement for the holy sanctuary; and he shall make atonement for the tent of meeting and for the altar; and he shall make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly.

Commentary

Leviticus 16:33 describes a pivotal moment in the annual Day of Atonement rituals, detailing the comprehensive scope of purification performed by the High Priest. This verse underscores that atonement was required not only for the people but also for the sacred spaces and objects within the tabernacle, which were defiled by the sins of the community.

Context

This verse is part of Leviticus chapter 16, which outlines the elaborate and solemn procedures for the Day of Atonement, known as Yom Kippur. This was the holiest day in the Israelite calendar, designed to cleanse the entire community and the sanctuary from the accumulated defilement of sin over the past year. The High Priest, Aaron (or his successor), played a unique role, entering the Most Holy Place once a year to perform these crucial rites. The requirement to make atonement for the sanctuary, tabernacle, and altar highlights the belief that sin, even unknowingly committed, had a defiling effect on everything in God's presence, necessitating a thorough cleansing to maintain His holiness among His people (see also Leviticus 16:16).

Key Themes

  • Comprehensive Atonement: The verse emphasizes that atonement was not merely for the people but extended to the physical structures and instruments of worship. This signifies that sin's defilement permeated every aspect of Israelite life and worship, requiring a complete purging.
  • Holiness of God: The meticulous rituals underscore God's absolute holiness and the necessity of purification for His presence to remain among His people. The defilement of sin could not be tolerated in His sanctuary.
  • Mediatorial Role: The High Priest acted as a crucial mediator, bridging the gap between a holy God and a sinful people, performing the necessary rites on their behalf.
  • Purification and Cleansing: The repeated phrase "make an atonement" signifies a thorough process of purging and cleansing from sin and its effects.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "atonement" is kaphar (Χ›ΦΈΦΌΧ€Φ·Χ¨), which literally means "to cover," "to purge," "to make propitiation," or "to make reconciliation." In the context of the Day of Atonement, it conveys the idea of sins being covered or wiped away, and the defilement being purged, allowing God's holy presence to continue dwelling among His people without consuming them.

Practical Application

Leviticus 16:33, with its focus on comprehensive atonement, foreshadows the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament rituals, including the Day of Atonement, were a shadow of the reality found in Christ (as seen in Hebrews 10:1). Unlike the High Priest who had to offer sacrifices repeatedly and for himself first, Jesus, our great High Priest, offered Himself once for all time, a perfect and eternal sacrifice for the sins of humanity (Hebrews 9:12). His blood cleanses us from all sin, not just annually, but eternally, making full and final atonement for us and for the world. Believers today are no longer under the shadow of these rituals but stand in the complete and lasting purification offered by Christ's finished work on the cross.

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Cross-References

  • Leviticus 16:16

    And he shall make an atonement for the holy [place], because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness.

  • Leviticus 16:6

    And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which [is] for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house.

  • Leviticus 16:24

    And he shall wash his flesh with water in the holy place, and put on his garments, and come forth, and offer his burnt offering, and the burnt offering of the people, and make an atonement for himself, and for the people.

  • Leviticus 16:18

    And he shall go out unto the altar that [is] before the LORD, and make an atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put [it] upon the horns of the altar round about.

  • Leviticus 16:19

    And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.

  • Exodus 20:25

    And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.

  • Exodus 20:26

    Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.
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