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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Leviticus 16:5–14.
The Jewish writers say that for seven days before the day of expiation the high priest was to retire from his own house, and to dwell in a chamber of the temple, that he might prepare himself for the service of this great day. During those seven days he himself did the work of the inferior priests about the sacrifices, incense, etc., that he might have his hand in for this day: he must have the institution read to him again and again, that he might be fully apprised of the whole method. 1. He was to begin the service of the day very early with the usual morning sacrifice, after he had first washed his whole body before he dressed himself, and his hands and feet again afterwards. He then burned the daily incense, dressed the lamps, and offered the extraordinary sacrifice appointed for this day (not here, but Num 29:8), a bullock, a ram, and seven lambs, all for burnt-offerings. This he is supposed to have done in his high priest's garments. 2. He must now put off his rich robes, bathe himself, put on the linen garments, and present unto the Lord his own bullock, which was to be a sin-offering for himself and his own house, Lev 16:6. The bullock was set between the temple and the altar, and the offering of him mentioned in this verse was the making of a solemn confession of his sins and the sins of his house, earnestly praying for the forgiveness of them, and this with his hands on the head of the bullock. 3. He must then cast lots upon the two goats, which were to make (both together) one sin-offering for the congregation. One of these goats must be slain, in token of a satisfaction to be made to God's justice for sin, the other must be sent away, in token of the remission or dismission of sin by the mercy of God. Both must be presented together to God (Lev 16:7) before the lot was cast upon them, and afterwards the scape-goat by itself, Lev 16:10. Some think that goats were chosen for the sin-offering because, by the disagreeableness of their smell, the offensiveness of sin is represented: others think, because it was said that the demons which the heathens then worshipped often appeared to their worshippers in the form of goats, God therefore obliged his people to sacrifice goats, that they might never be tempted to sacrifice to goats. 4. The next thing to be done was to kill the bullock for the sin-offering for himself and his house, Lev 16:11. "Now," say the Jews, "he must again put his hands on the head of the bullock, and repeat the confession and supplication he had before made, and kill the bullock with his own hands, to make atonement for himself first (for how could he make reconciliation for the sins of the people till he was himself first reconciled?) and for his house, not only his own family, but all the priests, who are called the house of Aaron," Psa 135:19. This charity must begin at home, though it must not end there. The bullock being killed, he left one of the priests to stir the blood, that it might not thicken, and then, 5. He took a censer of burning coals (that would not smoke) in one hand, and a dish full of the sweet incense in the other, and then went into the holy of holies through the veil, and went up towards the ark, set the coals down upon the floor, and scattered the incense upon them, so that the room was immediately filled with smoke. The Jews say that he was to go in side-ways, that he might not look directly upon the ark where the divine glory was, till it was covered with smoke; then he must come out backwards, out of reverence to the divine majesty; and, after a short prayer, he was to hasten out of the sanctuary, to show himself to the people, that they might not suspect that he had misbehaved himself and died before the Lord. 6. He then fetched the blood of the bullock from the priest whom he had left stirring it, and took that in with him the second time into the holy of holies, which was now filled with the smoke of the incense, and sprinkled with his finger of that blood upon, or rather towards, the mercy-seat, once over against the top of it and then seven times towards the lower part of it, Lev 16:14. But the drops of blood (as the Jews expound it) all fell upon the ground, and none touched the mercy-seat. Having done this, he came out of the most holy place, set the basin of blood down in the sanctuary, and went out.
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Summary
Leviticus 16:6 introduces the foundational and deeply significant initial phase of the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) ritual, meticulously outlining Aaron, the High Priest's, personal obligation to offer a specific sin offering for himself and his entire household. This indispensable act of self-atonement was a prerequisite, ensuring the High Priest's ritual purity and spiritual readiness before he could proceed to make expiation for the sins of the wider Israelite congregation, thereby profoundly emphasizing God's absolute holiness, the pervasive nature of sin, and the stringent requirements for approaching His divine presence.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is intricately woven into the detailed instructions for the annual Day of Atonement, as meticulously prescribed in Leviticus 16. The chapter immediately follows the sobering account of Nadab and Abihu's unauthorized offering and subsequent divine judgment, recorded in Leviticus 10:1-2, which serves as a stark warning regarding the sanctity and precise requirements for approaching God. Leviticus 16:6 initiates the elaborate sequence of purification rituals for Aaron, setting the stage for his subsequent entry into the Most Holy Place, the offerings for the nation, and the symbolic sending away of the scapegoat. The entire chapter is designed to cleanse the Tabernacle and the people from their defilements and transgressions, allowing God's holy presence to remain among them.
Historical & Cultural Context
The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) was the most solemn and sacred day in the ancient Israelite liturgical calendar, observed annually on the tenth day of the seventh month (Leviticus 23:27). It was the singular day of the year when the High Priest was permitted to enter the Most Holy Place (the Holy of Holies) within the Tabernacle, where God's presence was uniquely manifested above the Ark of the Covenant. The elaborate rituals detailed in Leviticus 16 were absolutely vital for maintaining the covenant relationship between a perfectly holy God and His sinful people. The explicit requirement for Aaron to atone for himself and his household first was a powerful reminder that even the highest human mediator was imperfect and subject to sin, underscoring the absolute purity demanded by God and profoundly distinguishing Israelite worship from the practices of surrounding pagan cultures, which often lacked such stringent standards of personal holiness for their priests.
Key Themes
Leviticus 16:6 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the theme of holiness, emphasizing God's absolute purity and the necessity for His people, and especially His priests, to be consecrated and purified to approach Him. It highlights the pervasive nature of sin, demonstrating that no human, regardless of their position or calling, is exempt from its defiling power or the need for atonement. This verse also underscores the theme of atonement and expiation, revealing God's gracious provision for dealing with sin through prescribed sacrifices, which temporarily "cover" or "purge" defilement, allowing for reconciliation. Finally, it subtly introduces the theme of mediation, showcasing the High Priest's unique role as an intermediary between God and humanity, a role that, due to human imperfection, inherently points toward a more perfect and ultimate mediator, a concept more fully developed in the New Testament, particularly in Hebrews.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This verb (H7126) literally means "to approach," "to bring near," or "to draw close." In the context of sacrifices, it denotes the ritual act of presenting an offering to God, emphasizing the intentional, prescribed, and reverent nature of the High Priest's action. It highlights the solemnity and purpose of the bullock as a designated means of drawing near to a holy God, signifying not merely a physical presentation but a purposeful act of worship and reconciliation.
This specific type of sacrifice (H2403) was primarily for the expiation of unintentional sins, ritual impurities, and violations of negative commands that caused defilement. Its purpose was to purify the offerer and make atonement, thereby restoring fellowship with God and cleansing from defilement. The blood of the chaṭṭâʼâh was crucial, as it was applied to the altar (and in this case, brought into the Most Holy Place), symbolizing the life given for sin and the covering of guilt. It addressed the breach in the covenant relationship caused by sin.
This foundational theological term (H3722) means "to cover," "to purge," "to cleanse," or "to make propitiation." In the context of the Day of Atonement, kâphar signifies the act of providing a covering for sin that allows for reconciliation between a holy God and sinful humanity. It involves the removal of guilt and defilement, making it possible for God's presence to remain among His people without consuming them due to their impurity. This covering was temporary and needed annual repetition, pointing to a more permanent solution.
This noun (H1004) refers to a physical dwelling but extends significantly in meaning to encompass a "household" or "family." In this context, it refers to Aaron's immediate family, including his sons (who were also priests) and other members of his domestic sphere. Their inclusion underscores the corporate nature of purity and the pervasive reach of sin, requiring atonement not just for the individual High Priest but for those intimately connected to his life and ministry.
Verse Breakdown
"And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering"
This opening clause precisely identifies the agent (Aaron, the High Priest), the commanded action (to offer), and the specific sacrifice (a bullock designated as a sin offering). The bullock was a substantial and costly animal, typically reserved for the High Priest or the entire congregation's sin offering, underscoring the gravity and profound importance of this initial step in the Day of Atonement ritual, signifying a significant expenditure for purification.
"which [is] for himself"
This phrase emphatically states the primary and immediate beneficiary of this particular sin offering: Aaron himself. It highlights the crucial truth that even the High Priest, the one divinely appointed to mediate for the entire nation, was a sinful human being who required personal purification and expiation before he could even contemplate approaching God on behalf of others. This underscores the universal reality of sin and the absolute necessity of personal holiness for sacred service.
"and make an atonement for himself"
This reiterates and clarifies the ultimate purpose of the offering – to achieve ritual and spiritual purity and reconciliation for Aaron. This act of personal atonement was an absolute prerequisite, ensuring that the High Priest was ceremonially and spiritually clean to perform the subsequent, more extensive atonement for the whole congregation of Israel without incurring divine wrath or defiling the sanctuary. It was about covering his own guilt and defilement.
"and for his house"
The scope of this initial atonement extends beyond Aaron as an individual to include his immediate family or household. This acknowledges their intimate association with his priestly office and the potential for their defilement to impact the sanctity of the High Priest and the Tabernacle service. Their purity was essential for the integrity of his ministry, emphasizing that sin's effects can extend beyond the individual to those closely connected.
Literary Devices
Leviticus 16:6, while seemingly straightforward, employs several significant literary devices that amplify its theological weight. Repetition is powerfully evident in the repeated emphasis on "for himself" and "make an atonement for himself," which serves to underscore the profoundly personal and non-negotiable nature of Aaron's self-purification. This repetition functions as a rhetorical device to highlight the absolute necessity of the High Priest's personal holiness and ritual purity before he could presume to mediate for others. Furthermore, the entire ritual described in Leviticus 16 is rich in symbolism. The bullock itself symbolizes the costly and substantial sacrifice required to cover weighty sin, representing the principle of substitutionary atonement where a life is given for a life. The act of atonement, kâphar, symbolizes the covering, purging, and reconciliation of sin that allows a perfectly holy God to dwell among an unholy people without consuming them. The High Priest's meticulous preparation and the specific animal offerings are also a profound type or foreshadowing, pointing forward to a greater, ultimate High Priest and a perfect, once-for-all sacrifice yet to come, a theme extensively developed in the New Testament book of Hebrews.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Leviticus 16:6 profoundly reveals the unbridgeable chasm between a perfectly holy God and sinful humanity, even those consecrated for sacred service. It underscores the pervasive nature of sin, demonstrating that no human, regardless of their office or dedication, is exempt from its defiling power or the need for divine provision for atonement. This verse establishes the critical principle that personal purity and reconciliation with God are indispensable prerequisites for effective spiritual ministry and mediation. The High Priest's need for self-atonement highlights the inherent limitations and imperfections of the Old Covenant priesthood, setting the stage for the ultimate and perfect High Priest who would not need to offer sacrifices for Himself.
Reflection and Application
The profound truth that even Aaron, the divinely appointed High Priest, had to make atonement for himself and his household before he could minister for the nation, should evoke a deep sense of humility, awe, and sober self-examination in every believer. It shatters any illusion of human self-sufficiency, inherent righteousness, or the possibility of perfectly bridging the gap to God through our own merit or effort. This verse reveals the depth of human sin and the absolute impossibility of any human, no matter how devout or consecrated, approaching a holy God without divine provision for cleansing. For believers today, especially those in positions of spiritual leadership, this passage serves as a powerful reminder of the paramount importance of personal integrity, ongoing repentance, and a vigilant walk with God. Our ability to effectively serve and lead others flows directly from the purity of our own hearts and our consistent reliance on God's grace and forgiveness. More profoundly, this ancient ritual points us away from any reliance on human effort or ritual and directs our gaze to the finished, perfect, and sufficient work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly accomplished what the Levitical priesthood could only symbolize, providing the ultimate and complete atonement for all who believe.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Aaron have to make atonement for himself before atoning for the people?
Aaron, though divinely chosen and consecrated as the High Priest, was still a sinful human being, subject to the same defilement and imperfection as the people he served. Before he could enter the Most Holy Place and mediate for the sins of the entire nation on the most sacred day of the year, he had to be ritually and spiritually purified himself. This requirement underscored the absolute holiness of God and the serious nature of sin, demonstrating that no human, regardless of their exalted office, is exempt from the need for atonement. It also ensured that the High Priest was ceremonially clean and fit to enter God's holy presence without incurring divine wrath, as tragically illustrated by the fate of Nadab and Abihu earlier in Leviticus. This personal cleansing was an indispensable prerequisite for the High Priest to be a suitable and undefiled mediator.
What is the significance of the "bullock of the sin offering" for Aaron and his house?
The bullock was a significant and costly animal, typically required for the sin offering of the High Priest or the entire congregation (Leviticus 4:3 and Leviticus 4:14). Its substantial value emphasized the gravity of sin and the seriousness of the atonement process. The "sin offering" (chaṭṭâʼâh) was specifically designed to deal with unintentional sins and ritual impurities, which could defile the sanctuary and hinder fellowship with God. By offering a bullock for himself and his "house" (family), Aaron acknowledged the weight of his own and his household's sin and sought expiation and purification. This act made him ritually fit to perform the subsequent, more extensive atonement for the nation, ensuring that the mediator himself was cleansed before representing others before a holy God.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Leviticus 16:6, with its poignant portrayal of Aaron, the High Priest, needing to offer a costly sacrifice for his own sins and those of his household before he could mediate for Israel, powerfully sets the stage for the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament High Priest, though divinely appointed, was inherently flawed and subject to the very sin that plagued the people he served. This necessity for self-atonement highlighted the temporary, imperfect, and repetitive nature of the Levitical priesthood. In stark contrast, Jesus, our great High Priest, is "holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens" (Hebrews 7:26). He had no need to offer sacrifices for Himself, for He was utterly without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Instead, He "entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption" (Hebrews 9:12). The repeated, temporary atonement of Aaron for himself and his house finds its perfect and final fulfillment in Christ's singular, sufficient sacrifice, which cleanses not only our ritual impurities but our very consciences from dead works to serve the living God (Hebrews 9:14). He is the sinless Lamb of God who became our sin offering, making a perfect and eternal atonement for all who believe (2 Corinthians 5:21), thereby fulfilling and infinitely transcending the limitations and shadows of the Levitical system.