Leviticus 16:17 - 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.

Generated Verse: Leviticus 16:17

What does "Leviticus 16:17" mean?


Leviticus 16 describes the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), a critically important day in the Israelite religious calendar. Verse 16:17 specifically addresses the process of atonement within the Holy Place (the inner part of the Tabernacle or Tent of Meeting). Let's break down what the verse means:

"No one shall be in the Tent of Meeting when he enters to make atonement in the Holy Place...": This refers to the High Priest (Aaron or his successors). When he enters the Holy Place (the inner sanctuary) to perform the rituals of atonement, no one else is allowed inside the Tent of Meeting (the entire structure). This emphasizes the High Priest's unique and solitary role as the mediator between God and the people during this specific part of the ceremony. It also underscores the solemnity and sacredness of the act of atonement.

"...until he comes out...": The prohibition against anyone else being in the Tent of Meeting lasts until the High Priest has completed the designated part of the atonement rituals within the Holy Place and exits.

"...and has made atonement for himself and for his household, and for all the assembly of Israel.": This explains the purpose of the High Priest's actions. The atonement process is a multi-layered one. First, the High Priest must atone for his own sins and those of his household (his family of priests). This ensures that he is ritually clean and fit to mediate on behalf of the rest of the people. After this, he atones for the sins of all the assembly of Israel – the entire nation. This involves specific sacrifices and symbolic actions meant to cleanse the people of their collective sin and reconcile them with God.

In essence, the verse highlights these key points:

Sole Mediation: The High Priest's exclusive role as the sole mediator during the atonement rituals in the Holy Place.
Sanctity of Atonement: The sacred and isolated nature of the atonement process.
Order of Atonement: The specific order in which atonement is made: first for the High Priest and his household, then for the entire community of Israel.
Purpose of Atonement: The atonement is intended to cleanse the people of sin and restore their relationship with God.

The verse emphasizes the seriousness of sin and the need for a designated way to find reconciliation with God through sacrifice and ritual cleansing. It also underscores the importance of the High Priest's role as a mediator between God and humanity within the Israelite covenant.

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