Leviticus 16:12 - He shall take a censer full of coals of fire from off the altar before Yahweh, and two handfuls of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the veil:
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Leviticus 16:12" mean?
Leviticus 16 describes the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the holiest day of the year for the Israelites. Leviticus 16:12 is a crucial part of the high priest's ritual within the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies), the innermost sanctuary of the Tabernacle (and later, the Temple). Let's break down the meaning of each part:
"He shall take a censer full of coals of fire from off the altar before Yahweh":
"He": Refers to the high priest.
"Censer": A portable metal pan or bowl with a handle, used for burning incense.
"Coals of fire from off the altar": The coals are taken from the bronze altar of burnt offering located in the outer courtyard. These coals had already been sanctified by the sacrifices offered there. Taking them symbolizes the connection between the earthly and heavenly realms, and the foundation of atonement lies in sacrifice. The altar before Yahweh refers to the Bronze Altar that was in the outer courtyard where the sacrifices were burned. The High Priest then took coals from that Altar and brought them into the Holy of Holies.
"and two handfuls of sweet incense beaten small":
"Two handfuls": Represents a generous amount of incense, highlighting the abundance of prayer and supplication being offered.
"Sweet incense beaten small": The incense was specially prepared, a blend of fragrant spices (Exodus 30:34-38). Beating it small would create a fine powder, allowing it to burn easily and produce a thick, fragrant smoke. The incense is symbolic of prayer and intercession rising to God.
"and bring it within the veil:":
"Veil": The thick, heavy curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies). It symbolized the barrier between God's holiness and humanity's sinfulness.
"Bring it within the veil": This is the most significant part. The high priest was the only person allowed to enter the Most Holy Place, and only on this one day of the year. He was entering the very presence of God (represented by the Ark of the Covenant).
Overall Meaning and Significance:
This verse describes the initial action the High Priest takes when he enters the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement. Here's the theological significance:
1. Preparing the Way for Atonement: By bringing the censer of burning coals and the incense into the Most Holy Place, the high priest creates a cloud of fragrant smoke. This cloud served several purposes:
A Shield from God's Glory: The intense glory of God's presence was considered too powerful for anyone to behold directly. The smoke served as a screen to protect the high priest from being consumed.
Symbolic Intercession: The rising smoke of the incense represents the prayers and intercession of the high priest on behalf of the people of Israel. It symbolizes the mediation between God and humanity.
Creating an Atmosphere of Reverence and Holiness: The fragrant smoke filled the Most Holy Place, creating an atmosphere of reverence and awe, acknowledging God's sacredness.
2. Foundation for Sacrifice: The burning coals from the altar of sacrifice are essential. They connect the ritual in the Most Holy Place to the sacrificial system. Atonement couldn't be achieved without sacrifice, and the coals remind everyone of that foundational truth.
3. Access to God Through the Appointed Mediator: This act underscores the role of the high priest as the mediator between God and the people. Only he, under strict conditions, could enter God's presence to make atonement for the sins of the nation.
In Christian Theology:
The Day of Atonement and the high priest's actions are seen as foreshadowing the work of Jesus Christ. Christians believe:
Jesus is the ultimate High Priest, who offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of humanity.
The veil that separated humanity from God has been torn (Matthew 27:51), meaning that through Jesus, we now have direct access to God.
Jesus intercedes for us before God, just as the high priest did on the Day of Atonement.
Therefore, Leviticus 16:12 is a rich and complex verse, loaded with symbolic meaning and theological significance. It is a foundational text for understanding the concepts of atonement, sacrifice, and mediation in both the Old and New Testaments.
Leviticus 16:12 - He shall take a censer full of coals of fire from off the altar before Yahweh, and two handfuls of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the veil:
What does "Leviticus 16:12" mean?
Leviticus 16 describes the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the holiest day of the year for the Israelites. Leviticus 16:12 is a crucial part of the high priest's ritual within the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies), the innermost sanctuary of the Tabernacle (and later, the Temple). Let's break down the meaning of each part:
"He shall take a censer full of coals of fire from off the altar before Yahweh":
"He": Refers to the high priest.
"Censer": A portable metal pan or bowl with a handle, used for burning incense.
"Coals of fire from off the altar": The coals are taken from the bronze altar of burnt offering located in the outer courtyard. These coals had already been sanctified by the sacrifices offered there. Taking them symbolizes the connection between the earthly and heavenly realms, and the foundation of atonement lies in sacrifice. The altar before Yahweh refers to the Bronze Altar that was in the outer courtyard where the sacrifices were burned. The High Priest then took coals from that Altar and brought them into the Holy of Holies.
"and two handfuls of sweet incense beaten small":
"Two handfuls": Represents a generous amount of incense, highlighting the abundance of prayer and supplication being offered.
"Sweet incense beaten small": The incense was specially prepared, a blend of fragrant spices (Exodus 30:34-38). Beating it small would create a fine powder, allowing it to burn easily and produce a thick, fragrant smoke. The incense is symbolic of prayer and intercession rising to God.
"and bring it within the veil:":
"Veil": The thick, heavy curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies). It symbolized the barrier between God's holiness and humanity's sinfulness.
"Bring it within the veil": This is the most significant part. The high priest was the only person allowed to enter the Most Holy Place, and only on this one day of the year. He was entering the very presence of God (represented by the Ark of the Covenant).
Overall Meaning and Significance:
This verse describes the initial action the High Priest takes when he enters the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement. Here's the theological significance:
1. Preparing the Way for Atonement: By bringing the censer of burning coals and the incense into the Most Holy Place, the high priest creates a cloud of fragrant smoke. This cloud served several purposes:
A Shield from God's Glory: The intense glory of God's presence was considered too powerful for anyone to behold directly. The smoke served as a screen to protect the high priest from being consumed.
Symbolic Intercession: The rising smoke of the incense represents the prayers and intercession of the high priest on behalf of the people of Israel. It symbolizes the mediation between God and humanity.
Creating an Atmosphere of Reverence and Holiness: The fragrant smoke filled the Most Holy Place, creating an atmosphere of reverence and awe, acknowledging God's sacredness.
2. Foundation for Sacrifice: The burning coals from the altar of sacrifice are essential. They connect the ritual in the Most Holy Place to the sacrificial system. Atonement couldn't be achieved without sacrifice, and the coals remind everyone of that foundational truth.
3. Access to God Through the Appointed Mediator: This act underscores the role of the high priest as the mediator between God and the people. Only he, under strict conditions, could enter God's presence to make atonement for the sins of the nation.
In Christian Theology:
The Day of Atonement and the high priest's actions are seen as foreshadowing the work of Jesus Christ. Christians believe:
Jesus is the ultimate High Priest, who offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of humanity.
The veil that separated humanity from God has been torn (Matthew 27:51), meaning that through Jesus, we now have direct access to God.
Jesus intercedes for us before God, just as the high priest did on the Day of Atonement.
Therefore, Leviticus 16:12 is a rich and complex verse, loaded with symbolic meaning and theological significance. It is a foundational text for understanding the concepts of atonement, sacrifice, and mediation in both the Old and New Testaments.