Leviticus 23:27

KJV

Also on the tenth [day] of this seventh month [there shall be] a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

Also {H389} on the tenth {H6218} day of this seventh {H7637} month {H2320} there shall be a day {H3117} of atonement {H3725}: it shall be an holy {H6944} convocation {H4744} unto you; and ye shall afflict {H6031} your souls {H5315}, and offer {H7126} an offering made by fire {H801} unto the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"The tenth day of this seventh month is Yom-Kippur; you are to have a holy convocation, you are to deny yourselves, and you are to bring an offering made by fire to ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

“The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. You shall hold a sacred assembly and humble yourselves, and present an offering made by fire to the LORD.

American Standard Version

Howbeit on the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement: it shall be a holy convocation unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 23:27 introduces the solemn and pivotal Day of Atonement, known as Yom Kippur, marking the tenth day of the seventh month in the Israelite calendar. This verse outlines its fundamental requirements: it was to be a sacred assembly, a time for the community to "afflict their souls" in deep repentance and humility, and to offer a specific fiery sacrifice to the LORD. This annual observance served as the culmination of the year's cycle of purification, providing a divinely ordained means for the covering of sins for both the people and the sanctuary, ensuring the continued presence of a holy God among His chosen people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 23 meticulously details the LORD's appointed feasts, or *moedim*, which served as divine appointments for the people of Israel throughout their calendar year. Leviticus 23:27 specifically presents the Day of Atonement as the most solemn of these observances, strategically placed after the celebratory [Feast of Trumpets](/leviticus/23-24 "Leviticus 23:24 - Feast of Trumpets") (Rosh Hashanah) and preceding the joyous [Feast of Tabernacles](/leviticus/23-34 "Leviticus 23:34 - Feast of Tabernacles") (Sukkot). While other feasts often involved joyous feasting and celebration, Yom Kippur stood apart as a day of intense national repentance, spiritual cleansing, and profound humility, serving as the annual culmination of the sacrificial system for the entire community. Its placement highlights its unique and critical role in maintaining the covenant relationship between God and Israel, emphasizing the necessity of purification before celebration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) was the most sacred and somber day in the ancient Israelite calendar, representing the annual national cleansing from sin. Occurring on the tenth day of the seventh month (Tishrei), it was the only day of the year when the High Priest was permitted to enter the Most Holy Place of the Tabernacle (and later, the Temple), bringing the blood of sacrificial animals to make atonement for the sins of the people and the sanctuary itself. The command to "afflict your souls" (Hebrew: *innah nefesh*) was understood primarily as a complete fast from food and drink, coupled with deep introspection, confession, and a posture of genuine humility and contrition before the LORD. This day underscored the absolute holiness of God, the pervasive nature of sin, and the necessity of divine provision for reconciliation. The elaborate rituals, though not fully detailed in [Leviticus 23](/leviticus/23 "Leviticus 23 - The Feasts of the Lord"), are extensively described in [Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement Rituals"), emphasizing the High Priest's unique role as mediator and the corporate nature of Israel's sin and atonement.
* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 23:27 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Holiness**, emphasizing God's absolute purity and the corresponding requirement for His people to be holy, as He is holy. The Day of Atonement serves as the pinnacle of Israel's annual pursuit of corporate holiness, providing a mechanism for dealing with the cumulative defilement of sin. This ties into the theme of **Atonement and Sacrifice**, highlighting that sin demands a covering and that God graciously provides the means through prescribed rituals and the shedding of blood. The solemn nature of the day underscores the **Seriousness of Sin**, demonstrating that sin creates a barrier between God and humanity that only divine intervention can remove. Finally, the command to "afflict your souls" emphasizes **Humility and Repentance**, portraying a necessary posture of self-denial and contrition before God, without which the external rituals would be meaningless. These themes collectively reinforce the covenant relationship, where God's presence among His people is contingent upon their obedience and His provision for their impurity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Atonement (Hebrew, _kippur'_):** Derived from H3725, this term signifies "expiation" or "atonement." In the context of the Day of Atonement, it refers to the divinely ordained process by which sins are covered, purged, and reconciliation is made between a holy God and His sinful people. It speaks to the propitiatory work that removes the barrier of sin, allowing God's presence to remain among Israel without consuming them due to their impurity.
* **Convocation (Hebrew, _miqrâʼ'_):** From H4744, meaning "something called out," specifically "a public meeting" or "assembly." When paired with "holy," as it is here, it denotes a divinely summoned gathering that is set apart for a sacred purpose. The Day of Atonement was not an optional gathering but a mandatory, holy assembly where the entire community was called to participate in a corporate act of repentance and purification.
* **Souls (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** From H5315, meaning "a breathing creature," "vitality," or broadly, the "self" (bodily or mental). In the phrase "afflict your souls," *nephesh* refers to the entire person—their inner being, desires, and life. The command to "afflict your souls" is thus a call for a holistic, deep-seated humbling of the self, encompassing both physical deprivation (fasting) and profound spiritual introspection and contrition.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Also on the tenth [day] of this seventh month [there shall be] a day of atonement":** This clause precisely establishes the timing of this crucial annual observance. The "seventh month" (Tishrei) was significant as it marked the beginning of the civil year and contained several important feasts. The "tenth day" set it apart, emphasizing its unique and climactic position within the annual cycle of feasts, a time when the nation's spiritual standing before God was renewed and their relationship with Him was re-established for the coming year.
* **"it shall be an holy convocation unto you":** This designates the Day of Atonement as a divinely mandated, sacred assembly. It was not optional but a required gathering where the entire community was to participate in a corporate act of worship, repentance, and dedication to God. The term "holy" underscores the set-apart nature of the day and the seriousness with which it was to be observed, demanding reverent and dedicated participation from every Israelite.
* **"and ye shall afflict your souls":** This is the central personal command for the day. As explored in the Key Word Analysis, "afflict your souls" primarily refers to fasting, but more broadly encompasses a posture of deep humility, self-denial, introspection, and sincere repentance for sins committed throughout the year. It was a call for individuals to humble themselves before a holy God, acknowledging their sinfulness and their utter dependence on His mercy for cleansing and forgiveness.
* **"and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD":** This clause indicates the sacrificial component of the Day of Atonement. While Leviticus 23:27 only briefly mentions it, [Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement Rituals") provides the extensive and specific details of the elaborate rituals performed by the High Priest on this day, involving various animal sacrifices. These "offerings made by fire" (burnt offerings, sin offerings) symbolized the propitiation for sin and the complete dedication to God, serving as the divinely ordained means through which atonement was achieved and God's righteous wrath against sin was appeased.

#### Literary Devices
The language of Leviticus 23:27 is primarily **prescriptive** and **didactic**, serving as a direct divine instruction for the Israelite community regarding a foundational religious observance. The verse employs a degree of **economy of language**, concisely conveying profound theological and practical requirements for the Day of Atonement without detailing the elaborate rituals found elsewhere. The phrase "afflict your souls" functions as a powerful **idiom**, conveying a deeper spiritual meaning of humility, repentance, and self-denial that extends beyond mere physical discomfort. There is an inherent **symbolism** in the commands: the "affliction of souls" symbolizes internal contrition and reliance on God's mercy, while the "offering made by fire" symbolizes the necessary propitiation and purification required for sin, representing a divinely accepted act of covering. The solemn tone and direct commands contribute to the verse's **authoritative** voice, underscoring the non-negotiable nature of this sacred day.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 23:27 profoundly underscores several foundational theological truths. It highlights the absolute holiness of God, who, despite His desire to dwell among His people, cannot tolerate sin in His presence. This necessitates a divinely appointed means for reconciliation, emphasizing the seriousness of sin and humanity's inherent inability to atone for it on its own. The Day of Atonement, with its commands for self-affliction and sacrifice, vividly portrays the cost of sin and the gracious provision of God for its covering. It also speaks to the corporate nature of sin and redemption, as the entire community participated in this annual cleansing. Ultimately, it points to the necessity of propitiation—a satisfaction of God's righteous wrath against sin—which is achieved through the shedding of blood, a fundamental principle reiterated throughout the Old Testament.

* [Leviticus 16:30](/leviticus/16-30 "Leviticus 16:30 - Atonement for All Sins")
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Necessity of Blood for Forgiveness")
* [Romans 5:11](/romans/5-11 "Romans 5:11 - Reconciliation Through Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the ritualistic observance of the Day of Atonement is no longer binding for believers in Christ, the spiritual principles embedded in Leviticus 23:27 remain profoundly relevant for our lives today. The call to "afflict your souls" serves as an enduring reminder of the importance of ongoing humility, self-examination, and heartfelt repentance. It challenges us to regularly take stock of our lives, confess our sins, and humble ourselves before our holy God, recognizing our constant need for His grace and forgiveness. This ancient command fosters a posture of dependence, reminding us that true spiritual cleansing and reconciliation come not from our own efforts, but from God's merciful provision. It encourages us to cultivate a lifestyle of holiness, reflecting the character of the God who has set us apart and who continues to offer cleansing and renewed relationship through Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "afflicting your soul" translate into modern spiritual practice for believers, beyond mere physical fasting?**
* **In what ways do we, as individuals and as a community of faith, need to regularly acknowledge the seriousness of sin and our inherent need for God's grace?**
* **How does understanding the solemnity and purpose of the Old Testament Day of Atonement deepen our appreciation for the complete and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "afflicting your souls" on the Day of Atonement?**

Answer: The command to "afflict your souls" (Hebrew: *'innah nephesh'*) on the Day of Atonement primarily refers to a complete fast from food and drink for a 24-hour period. However, its significance extends far beyond mere physical deprivation. It was a spiritual discipline intended to foster deep humility, self-denial, and sincere repentance. By abstaining from physical comforts, individuals were meant to focus intensely on their spiritual state, acknowledging their sinfulness, expressing sorrow for their transgressions, and humbling themselves before a holy God. It was a tangible expression of contrition, a posture of dependence, and a preparation of the heart to receive God's atonement. This practice underscored the gravity of sin and the profound need for divine mercy and forgiveness, aligning the inner disposition with the outward ritual.

**How does the "offering made by fire" relate to the overall purpose of the Day of Atonement?**

Answer: While Leviticus 23:27 briefly mentions the "offering made by fire," the full details of these sacrifices are found in [Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement Rituals"). The "offering made by fire" refers to the specific animal sacrifices (bulls, goats, rams) that the High Priest presented on behalf of himself, his household, and the entire congregation of Israel. These sacrifices were absolutely central to the atonement process. The shedding of blood, particularly of the sin offering, symbolized the payment for sin and the propitiation of God's wrath. The High Priest would take the blood into the Most Holy Place and sprinkle it on the mercy seat, symbolizing the covering of sins. The burning of portions of the offerings on the altar represented their acceptance by God. Thus, the fiery offerings were the divinely ordained means by which the sins of the people and the impurities of the sanctuary were covered, allowing for reconciliation and the continued presence of God among His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 23:27, with its focus on the Day of Atonement, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The entire elaborate system of Yom Kippur, including the High Priest, the sacrifices, the blood, and the annual cleansing, served as a profound shadow pointing to the once-for-all reality found in Christ. He is not merely a High Priest, but our Great High Priest, who entered, not into an earthly tabernacle, but into heaven itself, with His own blood, securing an eternal redemption (as powerfully articulated in [Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Eternal Redemption")). The repeated "affliction of souls" and the annual sacrifices of the Old Covenant highlighted the temporary and incomplete nature of those rituals; they had to be repeated precisely because they could not truly take away sins (as seen in [Hebrews 10:1-4](/hebrews/10-1-4 "Hebrews 10:1-4 - The Law as a Shadow")). In stark contrast, Christ's single, perfect sacrifice on the cross (referenced in [Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")) fully satisfied God's righteous demands against sin, providing true propitiation for all who believe (as explained in [Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ as Propitiation")). He is the ultimate [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), making possible a complete and permanent reconciliation with God, granting us direct access to His presence (as celebrated in [Ephesians 2:13](/ephesians/2-13 "Ephesians 2:13 - Near to God through Christ's Blood") and [Ephesians 2:18](/ephesians/2-18 "Ephesians 2:18 - Access to the Father through Christ")). Thus, the solemnity and purpose of Yom Kippur are eternally fulfilled in the finished work of our Savior, who has made perfect atonement for all time.

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 16:29

¶ And [this] shall be a statute for ever unto you: [that] in the seventh month, on the tenth [day] of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, [whether it be] one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you:

Leviticus 16:31

It [shall be] a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever.

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.

Leviticus 16:15

¶ Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that [is] for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat:

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]:

Numbers 29:11

One kid of the goats [for] a sin offering; beside the sin offering of atonement, and the continual burnt offering, and the meat offering of it, and their drink offerings.

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.