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. The LORD said to MosesThis phrase establishes the divine authority and origin of the instructions that follow. The Hebrew word for "LORD" is "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God, emphasizing His covenant relationship with Israel. The communication to Moses, the chosen leader and prophet, underscores the importance of divine revelation and guidance in the life of the Israelites. It reminds us of the necessity of seeking God's will and direction in our lives. Tell your brother Aaron
Aaron, the brother of Moses, is the high priest, a role of significant spiritual responsibility. The Hebrew name "Aaron" means "exalted" or "strong," reflecting his position as a mediator between God and the people. This instruction highlights the importance of spiritual leadership and the weight of responsibility carried by those who serve in such roles. It serves as a reminder of the need for leaders to adhere closely to God's commands. that he may not come whenever he chooses
This phrase indicates the restricted access to the Most Holy Place, emphasizing the holiness and sanctity of God's presence. The Hebrew concept of holiness involves being set apart and pure. The restriction serves as a reminder of the reverence and awe due to God, and the need for preparation and purification before approaching Him. It teaches us about the seriousness of worship and the respect required in approaching the divine. into the Most Holy Place
The Most Holy Place, or "Holy of Holies," was the innermost and most sacred area of the Tabernacle, where God's presence dwelt. The Hebrew term "Kodesh HaKodashim" signifies the utmost sanctity. This space was only accessible to the high priest once a year on the Day of Atonement, symbolizing the separation between a holy God and sinful humanity. It points to the need for atonement and the ultimate reconciliation through Christ, our High Priest. behind the veil
The veil was a physical barrier separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. In Hebrew, "parokhet" refers to this curtain, symbolizing the separation between God and man due to sin. The tearing of the veil at Christ's crucifixion (Matthew 27:51) signifies the removal of this barrier, granting believers direct access to God through Jesus. It is a powerful symbol of the new covenant and the intimacy available with God through Christ. in front of the mercy seat on the ark
The mercy seat, or "kapporet" in Hebrew, was the cover of the Ark of the Covenant, where the presence of God was believed to dwell. It was the focal point of atonement rituals, where the high priest would sprinkle blood to atone for the sins of the people. This act foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, whose blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins, fulfilling the need for atonement once and for all. or else he will die
This severe warning underscores the holiness of God and the seriousness of approaching Him improperly. The consequence of death for unauthorized entry into the Most Holy Place highlights the gravity of sin and the need for reverence and obedience. It serves as a sobering reminder of the justice of God and the importance of following His commands with sincerity and respect. because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat
The cloud represents the divine presence and glory of God, often associated with His guidance and protection. In Hebrew, "anan" refers to this cloud, symbolizing God's mysterious and awe-inspiring presence. The appearance of God in the cloud above the mercy seat signifies His willingness to dwell among His people and His desire for a relationship with them. It points to the ultimate revelation of God in Jesus Christ, who made God's presence accessible to all believers. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who is holy and sets the terms for how He is to be approached. 2. MosesThe prophet and leader of Israel, through whom God communicates His laws and instructions. 3. AaronThe brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel, responsible for performing the sacred duties in the tabernacle. 4. The Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies)The innermost part of the tabernacle, where the presence of God dwells above the mercy seat. 5. The Mercy SeatThe cover of the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing God's throne and His presence among His people. Teaching Points Reverence for God's HolinessGod's instructions to Aaron underscore the importance of approaching Him with reverence and respect. We must recognize the holiness of God and approach Him with humility and awe. The Role of the MediatorAaron's role as high priest foreshadows the ultimate mediation of Christ. Just as Aaron could not enter the Most Holy Place at will, we need a mediator—Jesus Christ—who grants us access to God. The Seriousness of SinThe warning of death for unauthorized entry into the Most Holy Place highlights the seriousness of sin and the need for atonement. It reminds us of the gravity of sin and the necessity of Christ's sacrifice. God's Prescribed WayGod provides specific instructions for worship and access to His presence. This teaches us the importance of following God's prescribed ways rather than our own preferences. The Presence of GodThe cloud above the mercy seat signifies God's presence. As believers, we are called to seek and cherish God's presence in our lives, understanding that it is both a privilege and a responsibility. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the instruction in Leviticus 16:2 reflect the holiness of God, and how should this influence our approach to worship today? 2. In what ways does Aaron's role as high priest point to the work of Jesus Christ as our High Priest, as described in the book of Hebrews? 3. What can we learn from the consequences of unauthorized entry into the Most Holy Place about the seriousness of sin and the need for atonement? 4. How does understanding God's prescribed way of worship in the Old Testament help us appreciate the access we have to God through Jesus? 5. Reflect on the significance of God's presence above the mercy seat. How can we cultivate an awareness of God's presence in our daily lives? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 25Describes the construction of the Ark of the Covenant and the mercy seat, emphasizing the holiness and sacredness of God's presence. Hebrews 9Discusses the limitations of the Old Covenant and the role of the high priest, pointing to Christ as the ultimate High Priest who enters the heavenly Most Holy Place. Numbers 18Outlines the duties and responsibilities of the priests and Levites, highlighting the seriousness of approaching God's presence. People Aaron, Israelites, MosesPlaces TemanTopics Aaron, Appear, Ark, Ark-cover, Atonement, Behind, Brother, Chooses, Cloud, Cover, Curtain, Death, Die, Dieth, Enter, Fear, Front, Holy, Inside, Lest, Mercy, Mercy-seat, Overtake, Sanctuary, Seat, Speak, Vail, Veil, Whenever, Within, YeaDictionary of Bible Themes Leviticus 16:2 1403 God, revelation
1454 theophany
4805 clouds
6606 access to God
7306 ark of the covenant
7308 Atonement, Day of
7344 curtain
7396 Most Holy Place Leviticus 16:1-4 7377 high priest, OT Leviticus 16:1-22 7316 blood, OT sacrifices Leviticus 16:1-33 6616 atonement, in OT Leviticus 16:1-34 1680 types
7422 ritual Leviticus 16:2-34 5378 law, OT Library August 9. "He Shall Lay Both his Hands Upon the Head of the Live Goat, and Confess Over Him all the Iniquities of the Children of Israel; Transgressions and Sins" (Lev. xvi. 21).
"He shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel; transgressions and sins" (Lev. xvi. 21). As any evil comes up, and the consciousness of any unholy thing touches our inner senses, it is our privilege at once to hand it over to the Holy Ghost and to lay it upon Jesus, as something already crucified with Him, and as of old, in the case of the sin offering, it will be carried without the camp and burned to ashes. There may …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth The Day of Atonement
'And the Lord spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron when they offered before the Lord, and died; 2. 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. 3. Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place; with a young bullock for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering. 4. He shall put on the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Day of Atonement
Now, I shall invite your attention to the ceremonies of this solemn day, taking the different parts in detail. First, we shall consider the person who made the atonement; secondly, the sacrifice whereby the atonement was typically made; thirdly, the effects of the atonement; and fourthly, our behaviour on the recollection of the atonement, as well set forth by the conduct prescribed to the Israelites on that day. I. First, THE PERSON WHO WAS TO MAKE THE ATONEMENT. And at the outset, we remark that …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 2: 1856 The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Foreshadowed in the Ritual on the Annual Day of Israel's Atonement.
The order of events on the Day of Atonement are described in Leviticus 16, a chapter which is exceedingly rich in its typical signification. The Day of Atonement had to do with the putting away of Israel's sins, therefore, its dispensational application refers mainly to Israel though, as we shall see, the Church was also typically represented. We shall not now attempt anything more than a bare outline of the happenings of that most memorable day on Israel's sacred calendar. The order of its ritual …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return The Great High-Priest.
"Having then a great High-priest, Who hath passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high-priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but One that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need. For every high-priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews Fifth Sunday in Lent
Text: Hebrews 9, 11-15. 11 But Christ having come a high priest of the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, 12 nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling them that have been defiled, sanctify unto the cleanness of the flesh: …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II Parable of the Pharisee and Publican.
^C Luke XVIII. 9-14. ^c 9 And he spake also this parable unto certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and set all others at nought [It is commonly said that this parable teaches humility in prayer, but the preface and conclusion (see verse 14) show that it is indeed to set forth generally the difference between self-righteousness and humility, and that an occasion of prayer is chosen because it best illustrates the point which the Lord desired to teach. The parable shows that …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Intercession of Christ
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us! T he Redemption of the soul is precious. Fools make mock of sin (Proverbs 14:9) . But they will not think lightly of it, who duly consider the majesty, authority, and goodness of Him, against whom it is committed; and who are taught, by what God actually has done, what sin rendered necessary to be done, before a sinner could have a well-grounded …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 The Call of Matthew - the Saviour's Welcome to Sinners - Rabbinic Theology as Regards the Doctrine of Forgiveness in Contrast to the Gospel of Christ
In two things chiefly does the fundamental difference appear between Christianity and all other religious systems, notably Rabbinism. And in these two things, therefore, lies the main characteristic of Christ's work; or, taking a wider view, the fundamental idea of all religions. Subjectively, they concern sin and the sinner; or, to put it objectively, the forgiveness of sin and the welcome to the sinner. But Rabbinism, and every other system down to modern humanitarianism - if it rises so high in …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Sundry Exhortations.
HEBREWS xiii. Let love of the brethren continue. Forget not to shew love unto strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; them that are evil entreated, as being yourselves also in the body. Let marriage be had in honour among all, and let the bed be undefiled: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Be ye free from the love of money; content with such things as ye have: for Himself hath said, I will in no wise fail thee, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews The Cavils of the Pharisees Concerning Purification, and the Teaching of the Lord Concerning Purity - the Traditions Concerning Hand-Washing' and Vows. '
As we follow the narrative, confirmatory evidence of what had preceded springs up at almost every step. It is quite in accordance with the abrupt departure of Jesus from Capernaum, and its motives, that when, so far from finding rest and privacy at Bethsaida (east of the Jordan), a greater multitude than ever had there gathered around Him, which would fain have proclaimed Him King, He resolved on immediate return to the western shore, with the view of seeking a quieter retreat, even though it were …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Christ a Complete Saviour:
OR, THE INTERCESSION OF CHRIST, AND WHO ARE PRIVILEGED IN IT. BY JOHN BUNYAN Advertisement by the Editor. However strange it may appear, it is a solemn fact, that the heart of man, unless prepared by a sense of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, rejects Christ as a complete Saviour. The pride of human nature will not suffer it to fall, as helpless and utterly undone, into the arms of Divine mercy. Man prefers a partial Saviour; one who had done so much, that, with the sinner's aid, the work might be …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Leviticus 16:2 NIVLeviticus 16:2 NLTLeviticus 16:2 ESVLeviticus 16:2 NASBLeviticus 16:2 KJV
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