Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat:
LEVITICUS 16:15KJVWhat does Leviticus 16:15 mean?
Leviticus 16:15 describes how the high priest is to kill the goat chosen as a sin offering for the people, take its blood inside the inner sanctuary behind the veil, and sprinkle the blood on and in front of the mercy seat, just as he did with the bull's blood. This ritual is part of the Day of Atonement, meant to make atonement for the people's sins.
In this verse, God is giving Moses instructions for Aaron, the high priest, about the specific steps to follow during the annual Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). The "mercy seat" refers to the cover of the ark of the covenant, located in the Most Holy Place, where only the high priest could enter once a year. The act of sprinkling blood is a symbolic way of seeking forgiveness and cleansing for the people's sins.
The Hebrew behind Leviticus 16:15
- "Goat" (שָּׂעִיר, saʿir): This word refers specifically to a male goat, which was commonly used in Israelite sacrifices. Its use here highlights that the offering is for the whole community, not just the priest.
- "Offering" (חַטָּאָה, ḥaṭṭāʾāh): This word means "sin offering," emphasizing that the ritual is about dealing with sin and restoring the relationship between the people and God.
- "Sprinkle" (נָזָה, nazah): This verb means to scatter or sprinkle, usually with the hand. The act is deliberate and ritualistic, showing that the blood is being applied in a specific, meaningful way.
- "Seat" (כַּפֹּרֶת, kapporet): This word is often translated "mercy seat," and it refers to the gold cover on the ark where God's presence was believed to dwell. Sprinkling blood here is central to the atonement ritual.
Why Leviticus 16:15 matters
- Leviticus 16:15 clarifies that the sin offering is not just for the priests but for all the people, making the atonement communal and not just individual.
- The verse shows the seriousness and sacredness of entering the Most Holy Place, which could only be done by the high priest and only with blood, underlining the barrier between God and people due to sin.
- This verse is key to understanding the entire Day of Atonement ritual, connecting the actions of the high priest to the forgiveness and cleansing of the whole nation.