Leviticus 16:34 - “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.
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 16:34" mean?
Leviticus 16:34, "“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," refers to the annual observance of the Day of Atonement, also known as Yom Kippur. Let's break down the verse:
"This shall be an everlasting statute for you": This emphasizes the permanent and binding nature of the ritual. It wasn't a one-time event, but a yearly requirement for the Israelites. The word "everlasting" is often debated, with some understanding it as "for a very long time" while the Mosaic Law was in effect, rather than literally without end.
"to make atonement for the children of Israel once in the year": The primary purpose of Yom Kippur was to atone for the sins of the entire nation of Israel. Atonement means to cover, cleanse, or make amends for wrongdoing, thereby restoring a broken relationship. This was done annually, providing a regular opportunity for reconciliation with God.
"because of all their sins": The atonement wasn't for specific sins only, but for all the sins of the people, both known and unknown, intentional and unintentional, accumulated over the past year.
"It was done as Yahweh commanded Moses": This highlights the divine origin and authority of the ritual. It was not a human invention, but a direct instruction from God to Moses, emphasizing the importance of following the prescribed procedures precisely.
In summary, Leviticus 16:34 is a key verse explaining the purpose and enduring nature of the Day of Atonement. It was a yearly event commanded by God for the Israelites to atone for their sins and restore their relationship with Him.
Theological Significance:
Sin and Reconciliation: The verse underscores the reality of sin and its impact on humanity's relationship with God. It also emphasizes God's provision for reconciliation through atonement.
Sacrificial System: Yom Kippur involved elaborate rituals and sacrifices (detailed earlier in Leviticus 16) to symbolize the cleansing of sin. These sacrifices foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the sins of humanity in the New Testament.
God's Holiness: The Day of Atonement emphasized God's holiness and the need for humans to approach Him with reverence and a recognition of their sinfulness.
Limited Atonement: While important and significant, the Old Testament atonement was limited. It had to be performed every year, indicating that it was not a permanent solution to the problem of sin. Christians believe that Jesus' sacrifice provided a complete and final atonement for all who believe in Him.
Therefore, understanding Leviticus 16:34 requires grasping the context of the Old Testament sacrificial system and its relationship to New Testament theology.
Leviticus 16:34 - “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.
What does "Leviticus 16:34" mean?
Leviticus 16:34, "“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," refers to the annual observance of the Day of Atonement, also known as Yom Kippur. Let's break down the verse:
"This shall be an everlasting statute for you": This emphasizes the permanent and binding nature of the ritual. It wasn't a one-time event, but a yearly requirement for the Israelites. The word "everlasting" is often debated, with some understanding it as "for a very long time" while the Mosaic Law was in effect, rather than literally without end.
"to make atonement for the children of Israel once in the year": The primary purpose of Yom Kippur was to atone for the sins of the entire nation of Israel. Atonement means to cover, cleanse, or make amends for wrongdoing, thereby restoring a broken relationship. This was done annually, providing a regular opportunity for reconciliation with God.
"because of all their sins": The atonement wasn't for specific sins only, but for all the sins of the people, both known and unknown, intentional and unintentional, accumulated over the past year.
"It was done as Yahweh commanded Moses": This highlights the divine origin and authority of the ritual. It was not a human invention, but a direct instruction from God to Moses, emphasizing the importance of following the prescribed procedures precisely.
In summary, Leviticus 16:34 is a key verse explaining the purpose and enduring nature of the Day of Atonement. It was a yearly event commanded by God for the Israelites to atone for their sins and restore their relationship with Him.
Theological Significance:
Sin and Reconciliation: The verse underscores the reality of sin and its impact on humanity's relationship with God. It also emphasizes God's provision for reconciliation through atonement.
Sacrificial System: Yom Kippur involved elaborate rituals and sacrifices (detailed earlier in Leviticus 16) to symbolize the cleansing of sin. These sacrifices foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the sins of humanity in the New Testament.
God's Holiness: The Day of Atonement emphasized God's holiness and the need for humans to approach Him with reverence and a recognition of their sinfulness.
Limited Atonement: While important and significant, the Old Testament atonement was limited. It had to be performed every year, indicating that it was not a permanent solution to the problem of sin. Christians believe that Jesus' sacrifice provided a complete and final atonement for all who believe in Him.
Therefore, understanding Leviticus 16:34 requires grasping the context of the Old Testament sacrificial system and its relationship to New Testament theology.