Short answer: Leviticus 16 describes the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the most sacred day of Israel's calendar. The high priest entered the Holy of Holies with blood, made atonement for himself, his household, and all the congregation, and sent a scapegoat into the wilderness bearing the people's sins. This chapter is the theological heart of Leviticus.
Historical and Literary Context
The Day of Atonement is the theological center of Leviticus. Only on this day could the high priest enter the Holy of Holies, and only with blood. The two goats — one sacrificed, one sent away — together picture atonement: the first provides the blood that satisfies God's judgment, the second carries the people's sins into oblivion. The book of Hebrews sees this day as a foreshadowing of Christ's once-for-all entrance into the heavenly sanctuary. This single chapter explains the entire system of atonement.
Scripture Passage: Leviticus 16
Yahweh spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they came near before Yahweh, and died; and Yahweh said to Moses, “Tell Aaron your brother not to come at just any time into the Most Holy Place within the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark; lest he die; for I will appear in the cloud on the mercy seat. “Aaron shall come into the sanctuary with a young bull for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering. He shall put on the holy linen tunic. He shall have the linen trousers on his body, and shall put on the linen sash, and he shall be clothed with the linen turban. They are the holy garments. He shall bathe his body in water, and put them on. He shall take from the congregation of the children of Israel two male goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering. “Aaron shall offer the bull of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house. He shall take the two goats, and set them before Yahweh at the door of the Tent of Meeting.
Verse-by-Verse Analysis
Verses 1-10: After the death of Nadab and Abihu, Yahweh instructs Moses about the Day of Atonement. Aaron must not enter the Holy of Holies at any time, but only on this specific day, and only with specific preparations. He brings a bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering for himself, and two male goats for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering for the people. The two goats are presented before Yahweh, and lots are cast: one goat is for Yahweh (to be sacrificed), and one is for Azazel (the scapegoat, to be sent away).
Verses 11-19: Aaron first offers the bull as his own sin offering, making atonement for himself and his household. He takes a censer of burning coals from the altar and handfuls of incense into the Holy of Holies, creating a cloud of incense that covers the mercy seat. He then takes the blood of the bull and sprinkles it on the mercy seat and before it seven times. He does the same with the blood of the goat for the people. Finally, he makes atonement for the Holy Place and the altar of burnt offering by applying blood.
Verses 20-22: Aaron lays both hands on the head of the live goat and confesses over it all the iniquities of Israel, transferring them to the goat. The goat is then led away into the wilderness by a designated man, bearing all their sins. The scapegoat disappears into the wilderness, symbolizing that God removes the sins of his people as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12).
Verses 23-28: Aaron removes his linen garments, bathes in a holy place, and puts on his regular garments. The bull and goat of the sin offering are burned outside the camp. The man who led the scapegoat away and the man who burns the carcasses must wash their clothes and bathe before returning to the camp.
Verses 29-34: The Day of Atonement is established as a permanent statute: on the tenth day of the seventh month, the people must afflict their souls and do no work. This is a Sabbath of solemn rest. The high priest makes atonement for the priests and all the people once a year. The chapter ends: 'He did as Yahweh commanded Moses.'
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. Then he shall make atonement for the Holy Sanctuary; and he shall make atonement for the Tent of Meeting and for the altar; and he shall make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly. “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 Yahweh commanded Moses.
Key Themes in Leviticus 16
The Day of Atonement is the theological heart of Leviticus and the most direct Old Testament type of Christ's atoning work. The high priest entering the Holy of Holies with blood prefigures Christ's entrance into the heavenly sanctuary. The two goats together picture atonement: the first provides the blood that satisfies God's judgment, the second carries sins away. Hebrews 9-10 develops this extensively, showing that Christ is both the high priest and the sacrifice. Unlike the annual Day of Atonement, Christ entered the true sanctuary once for all with his own blood.
How Leviticus 16 Points to Christ
The Day of Atonement is the most direct Old Testament type of Christ's atoning work. Hebrews 9-10 develops this extensively: Christ entered the true sanctuary once for all, not with the blood of goats and calves but with his own blood. He is both the high priest and the sacrifice. The scapegoat prefigures Christ bearing our sins away, as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). Unlike the annual Day of Atonement, Christ's sacrifice was once for all and never needs repetition.
He shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions, even all their sins; and so he shall do for the Tent of Meeting that dwells with them in the middle of their uncleanness. No one shall be in the Tent of Meeting when he enters to make atonement in the Holy Place, until he comes out, and has made atonement for himself and for his household, and for all the assembly of Israel. “He shall go out to the altar that is before Yahweh and make atonement for it, and shall take some of the bull’s blood, and some of the goat’s blood, and put it around on the horns of the altar. He shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and make it holy from the uncleanness of the children of Israel. “When he has finished atoning for the Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting, and the altar, he shall present the live goat. Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, even all their sins; and he shall put them on the head of the goat, and shall send him away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who is ready.
Practical Application for Today
The Day of Atonement is the most powerful reminder in the Old Testament that sin is serious and atonement is costly. The high priest entered the Holy of Holies with trembling and blood. But Christ has entered the true sanctuary once for all, and his blood speaks a better word than the blood of Abel (Hebrews 12:24). You do not need to wait for a yearly Day of Atonement — you have continuous access to God through Christ. Approach the throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:16).
Related Bible Studies
- Leviticus 1: The Burnt Offering
- Leviticus 4: The Sin Offering
- Leviticus 8: The Consecration of the Priests
- Leviticus 16: The Day of Atonement
- Leviticus 19: Holiness in Daily Life
- Leviticus 25: The Sabbath Year and Jubilee
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main theme of Leviticus 16?
Leviticus 16 focuses on the Day of Atonement. The chapter provides divine instruction for how Israel was to worship God and live as his holy people. It is part of God's covenant revelation at Sinai, teaching his people how to approach him and dwell in his presence.
How does Leviticus 16 point forward to Jesus Christ?
The sacrificial system in Leviticus 16 prefigures Christ's once-for-all sacrifice. The offerings, priesthood, and purification rituals all anticipated the perfect high priest and perfect sacrifice who would come. Hebrews 9-10 explains that the law was a shadow of the good things to come, but Christ is the substance.
Why should Christians study Leviticus 16 today?
Christians study Leviticus 16 to understand the depth of God's holiness, the seriousness of sin, and the grace of the gospel. The chapter reveals what it cost to approach God under the old covenant and helps us appreciate what Christ accomplished. Paul wrote that whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction (Romans 15:4).
Biblical fidelity check
This study of Leviticus 16 draws directly from the World English Bible (WEB) text. The WEB is a modern, public-domain English translation based on the Masoretic Text and the Greek Textus Receptus. All scripture quotations in this article are from the WEB translation. The interpretations presented here follow the historic Christian understanding of Leviticus as part of God's inspired Word and as a witness to Christ, in line with the Reformation principle that Scripture interprets Scripture and that the Old Testament bears witness to Christ (Luke 24:27).
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