Leviticus 16:32 Study Bible: The priest, who is anointed and who is consecrated to be priest in his father's place, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen garments, even the holy garments.

Bible > Leviticus > Chapter 16 > Verse 32

◄ Leviticus 16:32 ►

The priest who is anointed and ordained to succeed his father as high priest shall make atonement. He will put on the sacred linen garments

Study Bible

The priest who is anointed
The Hebrew word for "anointed" is "mashach," which signifies being consecrated or set apart for a holy purpose. In the context of Leviticus, the anointing of the priest symbolizes the divine selection and empowerment by God to perform sacred duties. This anointing is not merely a ritual but a profound spiritual act that signifies the priest's role as a mediator between God and the people. The anointing oil, often a blend of myrrh, cinnamon, and other spices, represents the Holy Spirit's presence and blessing upon the priest's ministry.

and ordained
The term "ordained" in Hebrew is "male," meaning to fill or fulfill. This implies that the priest is not only chosen but also equipped and fully prepared to carry out his responsibilities. The ordination process involves a series of rituals that include sacrifices and offerings, symbolizing the priest's dedication and readiness to serve God and the community. Historically, this ordination underscores the continuity and stability of the priestly office, ensuring that the spiritual needs of the Israelites are consistently met.

to succeed his father as high priest
This phrase highlights the hereditary nature of the high priesthood within the Levitical line, specifically the descendants of Aaron. The succession from father to son ensures the preservation of sacred traditions and the passing down of spiritual wisdom and leadership. This continuity is crucial for maintaining the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The high priest serves as a vital link, representing the people before God and God to the people, emphasizing the importance of faithful and godly leadership.

is to make atonement
The Hebrew word for "atonement" is "kaphar," which means to cover or to reconcile. The high priest's role in making atonement is central to the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) rituals, where he enters the Holy of Holies to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people. This act of atonement is a profound expression of God's mercy and forgiveness, pointing forward to the ultimate atonement made by Jesus Christ on the cross. It underscores the necessity of repentance and the grace available through sacrificial offerings.

He will put on the sacred linen garments
The sacred linen garments, described in detail in Exodus 28, are symbolic of purity and holiness. The Hebrew word for "sacred" is "qodesh," meaning set apart or holy. These garments distinguish the high priest from the ordinary priests and the people, signifying his unique role in the divine service. The linen material represents purity and simplicity, reflecting the priest's need to approach God with a pure heart and humble spirit. The donning of these garments is a reminder of the sanctity required in the presence of God and the reverence due to His holy name.

Persons / Places / Events

1. The Priest
The individual who is anointed and ordained to serve as the high priest. This role is crucial for the atonement process, symbolizing mediation between God and the people.

2. Anointing and Ordination
The process by which the priest is consecrated for service. Anointing with oil signifies being set apart for God's work, while ordination involves a formal appointment to the priestly office.

3. High Priest
The chief religious leader in Israel, responsible for performing the atonement rituals, especially on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).

4. Sacred Linen Garments
Special clothing worn by the high priest during the atonement rituals, symbolizing purity and holiness.

5. Atonement
The act of making amends or reparation for sin, a central theme in Leviticus, highlighting the need for reconciliation with God.

Teaching Points

The Role of the High Priest
The high priest serves as a mediator between God and the people, prefiguring Christ's ultimate mediation.

Significance of Anointing and Ordination
Anointing signifies being set apart for God's purposes, reminding believers of their own calling and consecration in Christ.

Symbolism of the Sacred Garments
The sacred garments represent purity and holiness, encouraging believers to "clothe" themselves in righteousness.

Understanding Atonement
Atonement is central to reconciliation with God, pointing to the necessity of Christ's sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.

Continuity of Priesthood
The succession of the high priest highlights the continuity of God's covenant, fulfilled ultimately in Jesus, our eternal High Priest.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the role of the high priest in Leviticus 16:32 foreshadow the work of Jesus Christ as described in the New Testament?

2. What is the significance of the sacred linen garments, and how can this symbolism be applied to our daily walk with God?

3. In what ways does the concept of atonement in Leviticus relate to the New Testament understanding of salvation through Christ?

4. How does the anointing and ordination of the high priest reflect the calling and consecration of believers today?

5. How can understanding the continuity of the priesthood in Leviticus enhance our appreciation of Jesus' eternal priesthood as described in Hebrews?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Hebrews 9
This chapter discusses Christ as the ultimate High Priest, drawing parallels between the Levitical priesthood and Jesus' sacrificial role.

Exodus 28
Describes the garments of the high priest, emphasizing their significance in the priestly duties and the symbolism of holiness.

Isaiah 53
Portrays the suffering servant, a prophetic image of Christ's atoning sacrifice, connecting to the theme of atonement in Leviticus.

1 Peter 2:9
Refers to believers as a royal priesthood, indicating the priestly role of all Christians in offering spiritual sacrifices.

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 Day of Atonement	J.A. Macdonald	Leviticus 16:29-34
The Day of Atonement	S.R. Aldridge	Leviticus 16:29-34

People

Aaron, Israelites, Moses

Places

Teman

Topics

Act, Anoint, Anointed, Atonement, Clothes, Clothing, Consecrate, Consecrated, Exercise, Father's, Garments, Holy, Instead, Linen, Marked, Minister, Necessary, Office, Oil, Ordained, Priest, Priesthood, Priest's, Robes, Sacred, Serve, Sin, Stead, Succeed, Thus, Wearing

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Leviticus 16:32

     2206   Jesus, the Christ
     2230   Messiah, coming of
     5392   linen
     7377   high priest, OT
     7745   ordination

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 16:20-34

6175 guilt, removal of

Leviticus 16:32-33

6606 access to God
7206 community

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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