Leviticus 16:34

KJV

And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the LORD commanded Moses.

KJV (with Strong's)

And this shall be an everlasting {H5769} statute {H2708} unto you, to make an atonement {H3722} for the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} for all their sins {H2403} once {H259} a year {H8141}. And he did {H6213} as the LORD {H3068} commanded {H6680} Moses {H4872}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is a permanent regulation for you, to make atonement for the people of Isra'el because of all their sins once a year." Moshe did as ADONAI had ordered him.

Berean Standard Bible

This is to be a permanent statute for you, to make atonement once a year for the Israelites because of all their sins.” And all this was done as the LORD had commanded Moses.

American Standard Version

And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make atonement for the children of Israel because of all their sins once in the year. And he did as Jehovah commanded Moses.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 16:34 serves as the culminating declaration for the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), establishing it as an enduring divine ordinance for the nation of Israel. This verse encapsulates the profound theological truth that annual atonement was perpetually required for the children of Israel's sins, ensuring the ongoing reconciliation between a holy God and His covenant people. It underscores the perpetual need for purification and the importance of precise obedience to God's commands in maintaining that sacred relationship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 16 is entirely dedicated to the detailed regulations for Yom Kippur, the most solemn day in the Israelite liturgical calendar. The chapter begins by setting the stage after the tragic deaths of Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, emphasizing the need for proper reverence and approach to God's holiness ([Leviticus 10:1-3](/leviticus/10-1 "Leviticus 10:1-3 - Nadab and Abihu's Disobedience")). It meticulously outlines the high priest's elaborate preparations, including personal purification and specific vestments ([Leviticus 16:1-6](/leviticus/16-1 "Leviticus 16:1-6 - High Priest's Preparations")). The core of the ritual involves the two goats for a sin offering, one sacrificed and the other, the "scapegoat," sent into the wilderness bearing the sins of the people ([Leviticus 16:7-10](/leviticus/16-7 "Leviticus 16:7-10 - The Two Goats")). The chapter then details the sprinkling of blood in the Most Holy Place, the cleansing of the tabernacle, and the purification of the altar, culminating in the complete atonement for the entire congregation ([Leviticus 16:11-19](/leviticus/16-11 "Leviticus 16:11-19 - Atonement for Sanctuary and People")). Verses 29-34 provide general instructions for the people's observance, including fasting and rest, before verse 34 delivers the final, overarching decree regarding the statute's permanence.
* **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 of the Tabernacle (and later, the Temple) to sprinkle blood before the mercy seat, the lid of the Ark of the Covenant, where God's presence was uniquely manifested ([Exodus 25:21-22](/exodus/25-21 "Exodus 25:21-22 - The Mercy Seat")). This annual ritual was absolutely critical for the spiritual health and survival of the Israelite nation. Living in close proximity to a holy God, yet being inherently sinful, necessitated a divinely appointed means of regular purification. Without it, the accumulated sins and impurities of the people would defile the sanctuary and potentially lead to God's withdrawal or judgment. The phrase "once a year" highlights the unique and profound significance of this day, distinguishing it from daily or weekly sacrifices. It served as a powerful annual reminder to the Israelites of the gravity of sin, the necessity of divine intervention for forgiveness, and God's gracious provision for reconciliation within the covenant relationship established at [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - The Giving of the Law at Sinai").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Atonement (Hebrew, _kaphar'_):** This verb, used extensively throughout Leviticus, literally means "to cover," "to purge," "to make reconciliation," or "to pacify." In the context of the Day of Atonement, it describes the ritual act by which the sins and impurities of the people and the sanctuary were "covered" or "purged" in God's sight, allowing His holy presence to continue dwelling among them without consuming them due to their defilement. It was a divinely instituted means of restoring a broken relationship, not by removing sin entirely from existence, but by providing a temporary, ritual covering that satisfied God's righteous demands.
* **Everlasting Statute (Hebrew, _chuqqat olam'_):** This phrase combines _chuqqah_ (statute, ordinance, prescribed custom) and _olam_ (eternity, perpetuity, long duration). It signifies a perpetual or enduring ordinance, one intended to be observed throughout the generations of Israel's existence under the Old Covenant. This designation emphasizes the non-negotiable and permanent nature of the Day of Atonement within the Mosaic Law, highlighting the ongoing need for reconciliation due to humanity's persistent sinfulness.
* **Once a year (Hebrew, _'achat ba-shanah'_):** This precise temporal marker underscores the unique and singular nature of the Day of Atonement ritual. Unlike daily or weekly sacrifices, this comprehensive atonement for all sins was performed only annually. This periodicity emphasized its profound significance, preventing it from becoming commonplace and serving as a potent yearly reminder of the cumulative weight of sin and the extraordinary divine provision required for its covering.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you":** This opening clause firmly establishes the Day of Atonement as a perpetual, divinely ordained command for the Israelite community. The term "everlasting statute" signifies its enduring nature within the Old Covenant, indicating that the need for this annual reconciliation would persist as long as the covenant stood. It underscores the non-negotiable and foundational role of atonement in Israel's relationship with God.
* **"to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year":** This central phrase articulates the explicit purpose and scope of the statute. The atonement was comprehensive, covering "all their sins"—both intentional and unintentional, known and unknown—accumulated over the year. The phrase "once a year" highlights the unique solemnity and singular efficacy of this annual purification, distinguishing it as the most significant act of national reconciliation. It points to the ongoing reality of human sinfulness and the continuous need for God's gracious provision to maintain fellowship.
* **"And he did as the LORD commanded Moses.":** This concluding statement serves as an affirmation of obedience and completion. It confirms that the detailed instructions for Yom Kippur, as given by God to Moses, were faithfully executed by Aaron and subsequent high priests. This emphasizes the critical importance of exact adherence to divine commands in worship and ritual, ensuring the efficacy and acceptance of the atonement by God. It also provides a narrative closure to the extensive instructions of the chapter, indicating their immediate implementation.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 16:34 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Repetition**, particularly of the concept of "atonement" and the phrase "once a year," which reinforces the central theme of sin's gravity and the necessity of periodic divine covering. The use of **Legal Language** ("everlasting statute," "commanded") underscores the authoritative, binding, and unchanging nature of God's decree. The verse also functions as a **Summary Statement** or **Climax**, bringing the extensive instructions of Chapter 16 to a definitive close and emphasizing the enduring significance of the Day of Atonement within the covenant. Furthermore, the meticulous detail throughout the chapter, culminating in this verse, can be seen as a form of **Symbolism**, where the physical rituals and sacrifices prefigure a greater, ultimate spiritual reality of atonement.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 16:34 profoundly highlights the holiness of God, the pervasive reality of human sin, and God's gracious, yet demanding, provision for reconciliation. The annual nature of Yom Kippur underscored that while atonement was provided, sin was an ongoing issue, requiring repeated covering. This system, though divinely ordained, was inherently temporary and imperfect, serving as a constant reminder of the chasm between a holy God and sinful humanity. It demonstrated that access to God's presence was not automatic but required a specific, blood-shedding sacrifice and a divinely appointed mediator. The "everlasting statute" thus pointed to an enduring need for atonement, setting the stage for a more perfect and final solution.

* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without the Shedding of Blood")
* [Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Propitiation through Faith")
* [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - Life in the Blood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 16:34 invites us to reflect deeply on the nature of sin and the incredible cost of reconciliation. The "everlasting statute" of Yom Kippur, with its annual, meticulous rituals, vividly portrayed the seriousness with which God views sin and the absolute necessity of atonement for fellowship with Him. For us today, while the Old Covenant rituals have found their ultimate fulfillment, this verse still speaks to the persistent reality of our own sinfulness and the ongoing need for God's grace. It should cultivate in us a profound gratitude for the complete and final atonement provided through Christ, which transcends the temporary coverings of the Old Testament. Understanding the shadow helps us appreciate the substance, reminding us that our access to God is not by our own merit or effort, but solely through the perfect sacrifice. It calls us to live lives that honor this immense grace, continually confessing our sins and walking in the forgiveness freely offered.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the "once a year" nature of the Day of Atonement emphasize the gravity of sin and the extraordinary nature of God's provision for forgiveness?**
* **In what ways does understanding the temporary nature of the Old Covenant "everlasting statute" deepen our appreciation for the finality and perfection of Christ's sacrifice?**
* **How can the principles of humility, repentance, and dependence on God's provision, as seen in Yom Kippur, be applied to our lives today?**

### FAQ
**What does "everlasting statute" mean if the Day of Atonement is no longer practiced by Christians?**

Answer: The phrase "everlasting statute" (Hebrew: _chuqqat olam_) indicates a perpetual or enduring ordinance within the context of the Old Covenant and its specific historical and theological framework. For the Israelites, it meant that Yom Kippur was to be observed throughout their generations as a foundational aspect of their covenant relationship with God. However, the New Testament reveals that the Old Covenant rituals, including the Day of Atonement, were "a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities" ([Hebrews 10:1](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1 - The Law is a Shadow")). In Christ, these shadows find their ultimate and eternal fulfillment. His single, perfect sacrifice on the cross accomplished a "once for all" atonement that superseded the need for repeated animal sacrifices ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Therefore, while the *principle* of atonement is everlasting, the *method* of atonement has been perfected and fulfilled in Christ, rendering the Old Covenant ritual obsolete for those in the New Covenant.

**Why was atonement needed "once a year" for all sins, rather than daily or weekly?**

Answer: The "once a year" observance of the Day of Atonement underscored its unique and comprehensive nature. While daily and weekly sacrifices (like the burnt offerings and sin offerings) addressed specific, individual sins and maintained a general state of purity, Yom Kippur was designed for the *corporate* cleansing of the entire nation and the purification of the Tabernacle itself from the accumulated defilement of all their sins throughout the year. It was a national spiritual reset, a profound annual reminder of the pervasive nature of sin and the extraordinary divine provision required to maintain God's holy presence among His people. Its annual, singular nature heightened its solemnity and emphasized that such a comprehensive covering was a momentous, divinely appointed event, not a routine occurrence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 16:34, with its emphasis on an "everlasting statute" for "atonement... once a year," powerfully foreshadows the ultimate work of Jesus Christ. The annual, repeated nature of Yom Kippur underscored the temporary and incomplete efficacy of the Old Covenant sacrifices; they could only "cover" sins, never truly take them away ([Hebrews 10:4](/hebrews/10-4 "Hebrews 10:4 - The Inadequacy of Animal Sacrifices")). However, Christ, as our great High Priest, entered not into an earthly tabernacle made with hands, but into the true heavenly sanctuary, "not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption" ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Eternal Redemption")). His sacrifice on the cross was the perfect, once-for-all atonement for the sins of the world, fulfilling the "once a year" shadow with a "once for all" reality ([Hebrews 9:26-28](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26-28 - Christ's Single Sacrifice")). The "everlasting statute" of the Old Covenant finds its eternal and perfect fulfillment in Christ's finished work, providing not just a covering, but the complete removal of sin, establishing a new and better covenant based on His perfect sacrifice ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - A Better Covenant")). He is the Lamb of God who truly takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), making reconciliation eternally complete and accessible to all who believe.

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 9:7

But into the second [went] the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and [for] the errors of the people:

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;

Exodus 30:10

And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it [is] most holy unto the LORD.

Hebrews 10:14

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Hebrews 10:3

But in those [sacrifices there is] a remembrance again [made] of sins every year.

Leviticus 23:31

Ye shall do no manner of work: [it shall be] a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

Numbers 29:7

And ye shall have on the tenth [day] of this seventh month an holy convocation; and ye shall afflict your souls: ye shall not do any work [therein]: