Leviticus 16:6

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And Aaron {H175} shall offer {H7126} his bullock {H6499} of the sin offering {H2403}, which is for himself {H1157}, and make an atonement {H3722} for himself, and for his house {H1004}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Aharon is to present the bull for the sin offering which is for himself and make atonement for himself and his household.

Berean Standard Bible

Aaron is to present the bull for his sin offering and make atonement for himself and his household.

American Standard Version

And Aaron shall present the bullock of the sin-offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself, and for his house.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 16:6 introduces the critical initial phase of the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) ritual, detailing Aaron, the High Priest's, personal responsibility to offer a sin offering for himself and his household. This foundational act of self-atonement was an indispensable prerequisite, ensuring the High Priest's ritual purity and spiritual readiness before he could proceed to make expiation for the sins of the entire Israelite congregation, thereby highlighting the absolute holiness of God and the pervasive nature of sin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the meticulous instructions for the Day of Atonement, as outlined in [Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement Ritual"). The chapter immediately follows the tragic account of Nadab and Abihu's unauthorized offering before the Lord, which resulted in their death ([Leviticus 10:1-2](/leviticus/10-1 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - Nadab and Abihu's Unholy Fire")), underscoring the extreme holiness required to approach God's presence and the dire consequences of disobedience. Leviticus 16:6 initiates the detailed sequence of purification rituals for Aaron, setting the stage for the subsequent offerings for the nation, the entry into the Most Holy Place, and the symbolic sending away of the scapegoat, all designed to cleanse the sanctuary and the people from their defilements and transgressions.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) was the most solemn and sacred day in the ancient Israelite calendar, observed annually on the tenth day of the seventh month ([Leviticus 23:27](/leviticus/23-27 "Leviticus 23:27 - Day of Atonement in the Feasts of the Lord")). It was the singular day when the High Priest was permitted to enter the Most Holy Place (the Holy of Holies) within the Tabernacle (and later the Temple), where God's presence was manifested above the Ark of the Covenant. The elaborate rituals described in [Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - Detailed Instructions for Yom Kippur") were crucial for maintaining the covenant relationship between a holy God and His sinful people. The requirement for Aaron to atone for himself and his household first was a stark reminder that even the highest human mediator was imperfect and subject to sin, emphasizing the absolute purity demanded by God and distinguishing Israelite worship from the practices of surrounding pagan cultures which often involved priests who were not held to such stringent standards of personal holiness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Offer (Hebrew, _qarab'_):** This verb signifies "to bring near," "to present," or "to draw close." In the context of sacrifices, it denotes the ritual act of presenting an offering to God, emphasizing the intentional and prescribed nature of the High Priest's action. It highlights the solemnity and purpose of the bullock as a designated means of approach to a holy God.
* **Sin Offering (Hebrew, _chatta't'_):** This specific type of sacrifice was primarily for the expiation of unintentional sins, ritual impurities, and violations of negative commands. Its purpose was to purify the offerer and make atonement, thereby restoring fellowship with God and cleansing from defilement. The blood of the _chatta't_ 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.
* **Atonement (Hebrew, _kaphar'_):** This foundational theological term means "to cover," "to purge," "to cleanse," or "to make propitiation." In the context of the Day of Atonement, _kaphar_ 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.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering":** This clause specifies the agent (Aaron, the High Priest), the action (offering), and the particular sacrifice (a bullock of the sin offering). The bullock was a significant and costly animal, typically reserved for the High Priest or the entire congregation's sin offering, underscoring the gravity and importance of this initial step in the Day of Atonement ritual.
* **"which [is] for himself":** This phrase emphatically states the primary recipient of this specific sin offering's benefit: Aaron himself. It highlights that even the High Priest, the one designated to mediate for the nation, was a sinful human being who required personal purification before he could approach God on behalf of others. This underscores the universal reality of sin.
* **"and make an atonement for himself":** This reiterates the 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.
* **"and for his house":** The scope of this initial atonement extends beyond Aaron to include his immediate family or household. This acknowledges their close association with his priestly office and the need for their purity as well, as their defilement could also impact the sanctity of the High Priest and the Tabernacle service.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Repetition** is evident in the repeated emphasis on "for himself" and "make an atonement for himself," which powerfully underscores the personal and non-negotiable nature of Aaron's self-purification. This repetition serves to highlight the absolute necessity of the High Priest's personal holiness before he could mediate for others. Furthermore, the entire ritual described in [Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement") is rich in **symbolism**. The bullock symbolizes the costly sacrifice required to cover sin, representing the substitutionary nature of atonement. The act of atonement itself, _kaphar_, symbolizes the covering and purging of sin that allows a holy God to dwell among an unholy people. 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.

### 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 is an indispensable prerequisite 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.

* [Hebrews 7:27](/hebrews/7-27 "Hebrews 7:27 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")
* [Exodus 29:36](/exodus/29-36 "Exodus 29:36 - Daily Atonement for the Altar")
* [Leviticus 4:3](/leviticus/4-3 "Leviticus 4:3 - Sin Offering for the Anointed Priest")

### 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 and awe. It shatters any illusion of human self-sufficiency or inherent righteousness, revealing the depth of human sin and the absolute impossibility of any human perfectly bridging the gap to God through their own merit. For believers today, especially those in positions of spiritual leadership, this verse 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. More profoundly, this ritual points us away from any reliance on human effort or ritual and directs our gaze to the finished work of Christ, who perfectly accomplished what the Levitical priesthood could only symbolize, providing the ultimate and complete atonement for all who believe.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Aaron's need for personal atonement challenge our understanding of spiritual leadership and personal holiness today?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the pervasive nature of sin, even among those dedicated to God's service?**
* **In what ways does this ancient ritual deepen our appreciation for the perfect and complete atonement provided by Jesus Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why did Aaron have to make atonement for himself before atoning for the people?**

Answer: Aaron, though chosen by God as the High Priest, was still a sinful human being. Before he could mediate for the sins of the entire nation on the most holy day of the year, he had to be ritually and spiritually purified himself. This underscored the absolute holiness of God and the serious nature of sin, demonstrating that no human, regardless of their office, is exempt from the need for atonement. It also ensured that the High Priest was ceremonially clean to enter God's holy presence without incurring divine wrath, as tragically illustrated by the fate of [Nadab and Abihu](/leviticus/10-1-2 "Leviticus 10:1-2 - Nadab and Abihu's Unauthorized Fire") earlier in Leviticus. This personal cleansing was a 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?**

Answer: 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](/leviticus/4-3 "Leviticus 4:3 - Sin Offering for the Anointed Priest") and [Leviticus 4:14](/leviticus/4-14 "Leviticus 4:14 - Sin Offering for the Whole Congregation")). Its value emphasized the gravity of sin and the seriousness of the atonement process. The "sin offering" (_chatta't_) 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, Aaron acknowledged the weight of his own and his household's sin and sought expiation and purification, making him ritually fit to perform the subsequent, more extensive atonement for the nation.

### 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 same sin that plagued the people he served. This necessity for self-atonement highlighted the temporary and imperfect nature of the Levitical priesthood. In stark contrast, Jesus, our great [High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest"), is "holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens" ([Hebrews 7:26](/hebrews/7-26 "Hebrews 7:26 - Christ's Perfect Priesthood")). He had no need to offer sacrifices for Himself, for He was without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Christ's Sinlessness")). 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](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Eternal Redemption")). 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](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing of Conscience by Christ's Blood")). 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](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Our Sin Offering")), thereby fulfilling and transcending the limitations of the Levitical system.

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

Leviticus 9:7

And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the LORD commanded.

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 5:2

Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

Hebrews 5:3

And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

Leviticus 8:14

¶ And he brought the bullock for the sin offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the bullock for the sin offering.

Leviticus 8:17

But the bullock, and his hide, his flesh, and his dung, he burnt with fire without the camp; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Ezekiel 43:27

And when these days are expired, it shall be, [that] upon the eighth day, and [so] forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar, and your peace offerings; and I will accept you, saith the Lord GOD.