Keraia
Leviticus 16

Leviticus 16:2

The Day of Atonement · Leviticus 16:1–34
Read Leviticus 16

Translations

Modern
And the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Place behind the veil in front of the mercy seat on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.
Traditional
And the Lord said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.
Literal
And YHWH said to Moses, “Speak to Aaron your brother, and he shall not come in at any time to the Holy Place inside the veil before the face of the mercy seat that is on the ark, and he will not die. For in the cloud I appear above the mercy seat.
Latin
…et præcepit ei, dicens: Loquere ad Aaron fratrem tuum, ne omni tempore ingrediatur sanctuarium, quod est intra velum coram propitiatorio quo tegitur arca, ut non moriatur (quia in nube apparebo super oraculum),

Original

Hebrew
English
And the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Place behind the veil in front of the mercy seat on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.

Notes

Leviticus 16:2

A veil separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. The sanctuary was like God's palace. The Most Holy Place was his throne room, and the ark was his throne (see Leviticus 1:1). In the ancient Near East, entering a king's presence without an invitation could mean death (Esther 4:11).

So, Aaron could not enter the Most Holy Place informally. Even the high priest could not enter. The only exception was when God required his presence for the Day of Atonement ceremony.

Leviticus 16:1–34

The day of atonement, on the tenth day of the seventh month, was the most serious and holy day of the year for Israelites (see Leviticus 16:29; 23:27; Numbers 29:7). It was the only required fast and a Sabbath of rest for all the people (Leviticus 23:32). The Feast of Trumpets came before it and announced its arrival (Numbers 29:1, 7–11). On this day, God forgave the sins of the community. Only the high priest, Aaron, could lead the ceremony because he represented all the people. This included Aaron’s sons, the other priests. Today, the Jews call the day of atonement Yom Kippur.

Parallels

Leviticus 23:26–32 Numbers 29:7–11

People

Aaron: Moses' brother, first high priest of Israel Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Glossary

Ark of the Covenant Biblical Concept of Law Blood Calendars (Ancient and Modern) Cattle Day of Atonement Day of Atonement Deuteronomy, Book of High Priest History of Israel Leviticus, Book of Mercy Seat Most Holy Place Pillar of Fire and Cloud Priesthood Priests and Levites Scapegoat Worship

Topics

Atonement: Day of How Observed Church: Holy Place Cloud of Glory was the Shekinah Over the Mercy-Seat Cloud: Pillar of God: Symbolized by the General Structure of the Most Holy Place, See Holy of Holies was Called The: Holy Place Holy of Holies: God Appeared In Holy of Holies: The High Priest: Not to Enter, at all Times Mercy-Seat: God: Appeared Over in the Cloud Mercy-Seat: The Shekinah Upon Shekinah: The Visible Sign of God's Presence on the Ark of the Testimony in the Holy of Holies Symbols and Similitudes: Darkness, of God's Inscrutability Tabernacle: The Lord Appeared In, Over the Mercy-Seat the Day of Atonement: The High Priest Entered Into the Holy Place On The High Priest: Duties of Making Atonement in the Most Holy Place Once a Year The High Priest: Typified Christ in Performing by Himself all the Services on Day of Atonement the Sacred Vail: The High Priest: Allowed to Enter but Once a Year Worship: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To