Leviticus 16:34 Study Bible: "This shall be an everlasting statute for you, to make atonement for the children of Israel once in the year because of all their sins." It was done as the LORD commanded Moses.

Bible > Leviticus > Chapter 16 > Verse 34

◄ Leviticus 16:34 ►

This is to be a permanent statute for you, to make atonement once a year for the Israelites because of all their sins." And all this was done as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Study Bible

This is to be a permanent statute for you
The phrase "permanent statute" in Hebrew is "חֻקַּת עוֹלָם" (chukat olam), which signifies an everlasting ordinance. This underscores the enduring nature of God's commandments to Israel. The use of "permanent" highlights the timeless relevance of God's laws, reflecting His unchanging nature. Historically, this statute was given to the Israelites as a perpetual reminder of their need for atonement and the seriousness of sin. It points to the continuity of God's covenant with His people, emphasizing that His laws are not temporary but are meant to guide His people throughout generations.

to make atonement
The Hebrew word for "atonement" is "כַּפָּרָה" (kapharah), which means to cover or to reconcile. In the context of Leviticus, atonement involves the sacrificial system established by God to cover the sins of the people, allowing them to be reconciled to Him. This concept is central to the Old Testament sacrificial system and foreshadows the ultimate atonement made by Jesus Christ. Theologically, it highlights the necessity of a mediator and a sacrifice to bridge the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity.

for the Israelites
The term "Israelites" refers to the descendants of Jacob, also known as Israel. This designation is significant as it identifies the recipients of God's covenant promises and laws. The Israelites were chosen by God to be a holy nation and a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:6). This phrase reminds us of the special relationship between God and Israel, a relationship that carries both privilege and responsibility. It also serves as a reminder of the communal aspect of atonement, as it was made on behalf of the entire nation.

once a year
The phrase "once a year" refers to the annual Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, which is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. On this day, the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the sins of the people. This annual observance underscores the regular need for cleansing and forgiveness, pointing to the insufficiency of the Old Covenant sacrifices to provide permanent atonement. It foreshadows the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ, who entered the heavenly Holy of Holies to secure eternal redemption for believers (Hebrews 9:12).

because of all their sins
The phrase "because of all their sins" highlights the comprehensive nature of the atonement required. Sin, in Hebrew "חֵטְא" (chet), signifies missing the mark or falling short of God's standards. This phrase acknowledges the pervasive impact of sin on the community and the need for a sacrificial system to address it. It serves as a sobering reminder of humanity's fallen state and the necessity of divine intervention for reconciliation with God. Theologically, it points to the gravity of sin and the depth of God's grace in providing a means of atonement.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His laws and commandments, including the instructions for the Day of Atonement.

2. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, for whom the Day of Atonement was instituted to cleanse them from their sins annually.

3. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who established the Day of Atonement as a means for His people to be reconciled to Him.

4. Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)
A sacred and solemn day in the Jewish calendar, designated for the atonement of the sins of the Israelites through specific rituals and sacrifices.

5. The Tabernacle
The dwelling place of God among His people, where the high priest would perform the atonement rituals.

Teaching Points

The Permanence of God's Statutes
God's commandments, such as the Day of Atonement, were established as permanent statutes, reflecting His unchanging nature and the ongoing need for atonement.

The Necessity of Atonement
The annual atonement ritual underscores the seriousness of sin and the necessity of reconciliation with God, pointing to the ultimate atonement through Christ.

Obedience to God's Commands
The Israelites' adherence to God's instructions through Moses serves as a model for our obedience to God's Word today.

The Role of the High Priest
The high priest's role in making atonement foreshadows Christ's role as our High Priest, who intercedes on our behalf.

Community and Individual Responsibility
While the Day of Atonement was a communal event, it also called for individual reflection and repentance, reminding us of our personal responsibility in our relationship with God.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the concept of atonement in Leviticus 16:34 relate to the New Testament understanding of Christ's sacrifice?

2. In what ways can we apply the principle of obedience to God's commands in our daily lives, as demonstrated by the Israelites' observance of the Day of Atonement?

3. How does the role of the high priest in the Old Testament enhance our understanding of Jesus as our High Priest?

4. What are some practical ways we can incorporate the principles of repentance and atonement into our spiritual practices today?

5. How does understanding the permanence of God's statutes in the Old Testament influence our view of His promises and commands in the New Testament?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Hebrews 9
This chapter in the New Testament draws a parallel between the Day of Atonement and the ultimate atonement made by Jesus Christ, emphasizing the fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrificial system in Christ's sacrifice.

Exodus 30
Provides additional context on the atonement money and the significance of atonement in the broader scope of Israelite worship and community life.

Romans 3
Discusses the concept of atonement and justification through faith in Jesus Christ, highlighting the continuity and fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrificial system.

Sermons

The Day of Atonement	Charles Haddon Spurgeon	Leviticus 16:34
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
The Imperfect Ritual and the All-Sufficient Sacrifice	W. Clarkson	Leviticus 16:33, 34

People

Aaron, Israelites, Moses

Places

Teman

Topics

Age-during, Atonement, Cleanse, Commanded, Everlasting, Israelites, Order, Orders, Ordinance, Permanent, Sin, Sins, Sons, Statute

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Leviticus 16:34

     6616   atonement, in OT
     7308   Atonement, Day of
     7404   ordinances

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

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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