Leviticus 16:15 - “Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the veil, and do with his blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat.
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What does "Leviticus 16:15" mean?
This verse, Leviticus 16:15, describes a crucial step in the Day of Atonement ritual, the most sacred day in the Jewish year. Let's break down its meaning:
"Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people...": This refers to the goat designated as the sin offering (or purification offering) specifically for the sins of the entire nation of Israel. On the Day of Atonement, two goats were selected. One was sacrificed as the sin offering, and the other became the scapegoat.
"...and bring his blood within the veil...": The "veil" refers to the heavy curtain separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (also called the Holy of Holies) in the Tabernacle (and later the Temple). Only the High Priest was allowed to enter the Most Holy Place, and only on the Day of Atonement. This signifies the blood was being brought into God's immediate presence.
"...and do with his blood as he did with the blood of the bull...": Earlier in the chapter, the High Priest sacrificed a bull as a sin offering for himself and his household (Leviticus 16:11-14). This phrase means the High Priest was to perform the same ritual with the goat's blood as he did with the bull's blood.
"...and sprinkle it on the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat.": The "mercy seat" (also known as the propitiation cover) was the gold lid of the Ark of the Covenant. It was considered the very throne of God on earth. Sprinkling the blood on and before the mercy seat symbolized the atonement (covering) of the sins of the people before God. This action represented the meeting of divine justice and divine mercy.
In essence, this verse describes the High Priest entering the Most Holy Place with the blood of the goat offered for the sins of the people. He sprinkles the blood on and before the mercy seat, symbolically atoning for the sins of the nation and appeasing God's wrath.
Significance:
Atonement: The entire ritual was about atonement – making amends for sin and restoring a right relationship between God and his people.
Sacrifice: The blood sacrifice was essential. Blood represented life, and the shedding of blood symbolized a payment for sin.
High Priest as Mediator: The High Priest acted as a mediator between God and the people, representing them before God.
Holiness of God: The Most Holy Place was the holiest place, emphasizing the separation between God's holiness and human sinfulness.
Fulfillment in Christ: Christians believe that this ritual foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who became the perfect and final sacrifice for the sins of all humanity. Hebrews 9 and 10 in the New Testament extensively discuss this connection.
Therefore, Leviticus 16:15 is a pivotal verse illustrating the atonement process in the Old Testament, highlighting the need for sacrifice, mediation, and the appeasement of God's wrath for the forgiveness of sins.
Leviticus 16:15 - “Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the veil, and do with his blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat.
What does "Leviticus 16:15" mean?
This verse, Leviticus 16:15, describes a crucial step in the Day of Atonement ritual, the most sacred day in the Jewish year. Let's break down its meaning:
"Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people...": This refers to the goat designated as the sin offering (or purification offering) specifically for the sins of the entire nation of Israel. On the Day of Atonement, two goats were selected. One was sacrificed as the sin offering, and the other became the scapegoat.
"...and bring his blood within the veil...": The "veil" refers to the heavy curtain separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (also called the Holy of Holies) in the Tabernacle (and later the Temple). Only the High Priest was allowed to enter the Most Holy Place, and only on the Day of Atonement. This signifies the blood was being brought into God's immediate presence.
"...and do with his blood as he did with the blood of the bull...": Earlier in the chapter, the High Priest sacrificed a bull as a sin offering for himself and his household (Leviticus 16:11-14). This phrase means the High Priest was to perform the same ritual with the goat's blood as he did with the bull's blood.
"...and sprinkle it on the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat.": The "mercy seat" (also known as the propitiation cover) was the gold lid of the Ark of the Covenant. It was considered the very throne of God on earth. Sprinkling the blood on and before the mercy seat symbolized the atonement (covering) of the sins of the people before God. This action represented the meeting of divine justice and divine mercy.
In essence, this verse describes the High Priest entering the Most Holy Place with the blood of the goat offered for the sins of the people. He sprinkles the blood on and before the mercy seat, symbolically atoning for the sins of the nation and appeasing God's wrath.
Significance:
Atonement: The entire ritual was about atonement – making amends for sin and restoring a right relationship between God and his people.
Sacrifice: The blood sacrifice was essential. Blood represented life, and the shedding of blood symbolized a payment for sin.
High Priest as Mediator: The High Priest acted as a mediator between God and the people, representing them before God.
Holiness of God: The Most Holy Place was the holiest place, emphasizing the separation between God's holiness and human sinfulness.
Fulfillment in Christ: Christians believe that this ritual foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who became the perfect and final sacrifice for the sins of all humanity. Hebrews 9 and 10 in the New Testament extensively discuss this connection.
Therefore, Leviticus 16:15 is a pivotal verse illustrating the atonement process in the Old Testament, highlighting the need for sacrifice, mediation, and the appeasement of God's wrath for the forgiveness of sins.