Leviticus 16:24 Study Bible: Then he shall bathe himself in water in a holy place, and put on his garments, and come out and offer his burnt offering and the burnt offering of the people, and make atonement for himself and for the people.

Bible > Leviticus > Chapter 16 > Verse 24

◄ Leviticus 16:24 ►

He is to bathe himself with water in a holy place and put on his own clothes. Then he must go out and sacrifice his burnt offering and the people's burnt offering to make atonement for himself and for the people.

Study Bible

He must bathe himself with water
The act of bathing in this context is deeply symbolic, representing purification and preparation for entering the presence of God. The Hebrew root for "bathe" is "רָחַץ" (rachatz), which implies a thorough washing. This ritual cleansing signifies the removal of impurity and sin, a necessary step before performing sacred duties. In the broader scriptural context, water often symbolizes spiritual cleansing and renewal, as seen in the New Testament with the concept of baptism.

in a holy place
The phrase "in a holy place" underscores the sanctity required for the high priest's actions. The Hebrew word for "holy" is "קֹדֶשׁ" (qodesh), indicating something set apart for divine purposes. This setting apart is crucial, as it emphasizes the separation between the sacred and the profane. The holy place, likely the tabernacle or a designated area within it, serves as a reminder of God's holiness and the reverence required in His service.

and put on his garments
The garments of the high priest were not merely clothing but were imbued with spiritual significance. Each piece, from the ephod to the breastplate, symbolized aspects of Israel's relationship with God. The act of putting on these garments, after bathing, signifies a transition from the ordinary to the sacred, preparing the priest to mediate between God and the people. The Hebrew term for "garments" is "בֶּגֶד" (beged), which can also imply treachery or deceit, reminding the priest of the need for integrity in his role.

Then he must go out
This phrase indicates a movement from preparation to action. The high priest, having purified himself and donned his sacred garments, is now ready to fulfill his duties. The Hebrew verb "יָצָא" (yatsa) means to go out or come forth, suggesting a purposeful departure to perform a divine task. This movement reflects the transition from personal preparation to communal responsibility.

and sacrifice his burnt offering
The burnt offering, or "עֹלָה" (olah) in Hebrew, is a sacrifice wholly consumed by fire, symbolizing complete devotion to God. The high priest's offering represents his personal atonement and dedication. Historically, the burnt offering was a central element of Israelite worship, signifying the worshiper's total surrender to God's will.

and the burnt offering of the people
This communal offering highlights the high priest's role as an intercessor for the nation. The people's burnt offering, like the priest's, signifies collective atonement and dedication. The repetition of the burnt offering underscores the importance of communal worship and the need for the entire community to seek God's favor and forgiveness.

to make atonement for himself and for the people
Atonement, or "כִּפֻּרִים" (kippurim) in Hebrew, involves reconciliation and the covering of sin. This dual atonement emphasizes the high priest's need for personal purity before he can intercede for others. The Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, is the context for this verse, a solemn day dedicated to repentance and reconciliation with God. The high priest's actions foreshadow the ultimate atonement made by Christ, who, as the perfect high priest, offered Himself for the sins of humanity.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Aaron
The high priest who performs the rituals of atonement. He represents the people before God and is responsible for carrying out the sacred duties prescribed by God.

2. Holy Place
The designated area within the tabernacle where Aaron must bathe and change his garments. This signifies the sanctity and purity required in approaching God.

3. Burnt Offering
A sacrificial offering made to God, symbolizing atonement and dedication. It is a key component of the Day of Atonement rituals.

4. Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)
An annual event in the Jewish calendar where the high priest makes atonement for the sins of the people of Israel.

5. Atonement
The process of reconciling with God, involving confession, repentance, and sacrifice. It is central to the relationship between God and His people.

Teaching Points

Purity and Preparation
The act of bathing and changing garments signifies the need for purity when approaching God. In our spiritual lives, we must prepare our hearts and minds, seeking forgiveness and cleansing through Christ.

Role of the High Priest
Aaron's role as a mediator foreshadows Christ's ultimate priesthood. Jesus is our high priest who intercedes for us, having made the final atonement through His sacrifice.

Symbolism of Sacrifice
The burnt offering represents total dedication to God. As believers, we are called to live sacrificially, dedicating our lives to God's service and glory.

Communal Atonement
The high priest makes atonement not only for himself but also for the people. This highlights the communal aspect of faith, where we support and intercede for one another.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the requirement for Aaron to bathe and change garments before offering sacrifices relate to our own spiritual preparation before worship?

2. In what ways does the role of the high priest in Leviticus 16 point to the work of Jesus Christ as described in the book of Hebrews?

3. How can the concept of a burnt offering as a symbol of dedication be applied to our daily lives as Christians?

4. What does the communal aspect of atonement in Leviticus 16 teach us about the importance of community and intercession in the church today?

5. How do the rituals and sacrifices described in Leviticus 16 enhance our understanding of the significance of Christ's sacrifice on the cross?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Hebrews 9
This chapter discusses the role of Christ as the ultimate high priest, drawing parallels between the Old Testament rituals and the new covenant established through Jesus' sacrifice.

Exodus 30:19-21
These verses describe the requirement for priests to wash before entering the tent of meeting, emphasizing the importance of purity and preparation in worship.

Romans 12:1
Paul urges believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, drawing a connection to the concept of burnt offerings as acts of worship and dedication to God.

Sermons

The Climax of Sacrificial Worship: the Day of Atonement	R.M. Edgar	Leviticus 16:1-34
The Great Day of Atonement	R.A. Redford	Leviticus 16:1-34
A Proffered Substitute	W. Thompson.	Leviticus 16:3-34
Christ Typified by the Two Goats	J. Burns, D. D.	Leviticus 16:3-34
Christian's Confession of Sin	Spurgeon, Charles Haddon	Leviticus 16:3-34
Christ's Anesthesia for the Remembrance of Sin		Leviticus 16:3-34
Hindrances to Repentance Removed	J. Spencer.	Leviticus 16:3-34
Intercession of Christ	S. Thodey.	Leviticus 16:3-34
Lessons	A. Willet, D. D.	Leviticus 16:3-34
Moral Observations	A. Willet, D. D.	Leviticus 16:3-34
Moses and Christ; the Day of Atonement	W. Clarkson, B. A.	Leviticus 16:3-34
Need for the Great Atonement	J. Hamilton, D. D.	Leviticus 16:3-34
Sinners Always Ready to Conceal Their Sin	T. Adams.	Leviticus 16:3-34
Spiritual Significance of the Ceremonies on the Day of Atonement	T. M. Morris.	Leviticus 16:3-34
The Annual Atonement	Spurgeon, Charles Haddon	Leviticus 16:3-34
The Ceremonies of the Day of Atonement	F. E. Clark.	Leviticus 16:3-34
The Climax of Sacrificial Worship	R. M.,Edgar, M. A.	Leviticus 16:3-34
The Day of Atonement	Spurgeon, Charles Haddon	Leviticus 16:3-34
The Day of Atonement	D. O. Mears.	Leviticus 16:3-34
The Day of Atonement	D. C. Hughes, M. A.	Leviticus 16:3-34
The Day of Atonement	H. Melvill, B. D.	Leviticus 16:3-34
The Day of Atonement	J. A. Seiss, D. D.	Leviticus 16:3-34
The Garments of the Priest	F. E. Clark.	Leviticus 16:3-34
The Two Goats	F. E. Clark.	Leviticus 16:3-34
The Two Goats -- Various Interpretations	J. Cumming, D. D.	Leviticus 16:3-34
There Shalt be no Man in the Tabernacle	H. C. Trumbull.	Leviticus 16:3-34
True Repentance	H. W. Beecher.	Leviticus 16:3-34
Trusting in the Substitute		Leviticus 16:3-34
Value of Repentance	J. Spencer.	Leviticus 16:3-34
The Sacrifices of the Day of Atonement	J.A. Macdonald	Leviticus 16:5-28

People

Aaron, Israelites, Moses

Places

Teman

Topics

Atonement, Bathe, Bathed, Bathing, Body, Burned, Burnt, Burnt-offering, Clothes, Clothing, Flesh, Forth, Garments, Holy, Offer, Offering, Regular, Sacrifice, Sin, Vestments, Wash

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Leviticus 16:24

7322 burnt offering
7478 washing

Leviticus 16:1-33

6616 atonement, in OT

Leviticus 16:1-34

1680 types
7422 ritual

Leviticus 16:2-34

5378 law, OT

Leviticus 16:3-34

6648 expiation
8629 worship, times

Leviticus 16:20-24

4293 water

Leviticus 16:20-31

7308 Atonement, Day of

Leviticus 16:20-34

6175 guilt, removal of

Leviticus 16:24-28

7416 purification

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

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