The tenth day of the month holds significant importance in the biblical calendar, particularly within the context of the Old Testament. This day is marked by several key events and observances that are foundational to the understanding of Israelite worship and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

1. The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur):

The most prominent observance on the tenth day of the seventh month (Tishri) is the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur. This solemn day is described in Leviticus 16 and 23, where God commands the Israelites to observe a day of fasting, repentance, and atonement for sins. It is a day of complete rest and affliction of the soul, as the high priest enters the Holy of Holies to make atonement for himself, his household, and the entire congregation of Israel.

Leviticus 16:29-30 states: "This is to be a permanent statute for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month, you must humble yourselves and not do any work—whether the native or the foreigner who resides among you—because on this day atonement will be made for you to cleanse you, and you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD."

2. The Tenth Day of the First Month:

The tenth day of the first month, Nisan, is also significant in the biblical narrative. According to Exodus 12:3, it is the day when the Israelites were instructed to select a lamb for the Passover sacrifice, which would take place on the fourteenth day of the month. This event marks the beginning of the Exodus from Egypt and the establishment of the Passover as a perpetual ordinance for the Israelites.

Exodus 12:3 states: "Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month, each man must select a lamb for his family, one per household."

3. Crossing the Jordan River:

In the book of Joshua, the tenth day of the first month is also the day when the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land. This event is a pivotal moment in Israel's history, symbolizing the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham and the beginning of the conquest of Canaan.

Joshua 4:19 records: "On the tenth day of the first month, the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho."

4. Symbolism and Typology:

The tenth day of the month, particularly in the context of the Day of Atonement and the selection of the Passover lamb, carries deep symbolic meaning. It foreshadows the ultimate atonement made by Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). The meticulous selection of the lamb and the high priest's intercession on Yom Kippur point to Christ's perfect sacrifice and His role as our High Priest, who entered the heavenly sanctuary once for all (Hebrews 9:11-12).

In summary, the tenth day of the month is a day rich with theological significance, serving as a reminder of God's provision, deliverance, and the necessity of atonement for sin. It underscores the continuity of God's redemptive plan from the Old Testament to its fulfillment in the New Testament through Jesus Christ.