And Aaron shall come into the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall put off the linen garments, which he put on when he went into the holy place, and shall leave them there:

LEVITICUS 16:23KJV
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Leviticus 16:23 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 16:23 mean?

Leviticus 16:23 describes how Aaron, the high priest, must enter the tabernacle after performing rituals in the holy place, remove the special linen garments he wore for those duties, and leave those garments there. This instruction is part of the detailed procedures for the Day of Atonement.

In this verse, God is giving Moses specific commands for Aaron to follow during the annual Day of Atonement. Aaron, as the high priest, has just completed the most sacred part of his duties—entering the Holy Place to make atonement for the people. The linen garments are only for this special service, so Aaron must take them off and leave them in the tabernacle, showing their unique purpose and the seriousness of the rituals.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 16:23

  • "Tabernacle" (אֹהֶל, ohel): This word means "tent," referring to the portable sanctuary where Israel worshipped. The verse highlights that Aaron moves from the most sacred space back into the main tent area.
  • "Linen" (בַּד, bad): This word points to the simple, pure garments Aaron wore for atonement, different from his usual ornate priestly clothes. The linen garments symbolize humility and purity for this unique occasion.
  • "Leave" (נָחַ, nach): This word means to "set down" or "leave behind." Aaron is not to reuse these garments for ordinary service, underlining their special role in the Day of Atonement.

Why Leviticus 16:23 matters

  • This verse clears up that the high priest did not wear his usual elaborate garments for the most sacred rituals, but simple linen ones, emphasizing humility before God.
  • The instruction to leave the garments in the tabernacle shows that these clothes were set apart for a single, holy purpose and were not for everyday use.
  • Leviticus 16:23 connects to the wider passage by marking a transition point: after the atonement rituals, the high priest resumes his regular duties, showing a clear separation between the sacred and the ordinary.

Where else these words appear

“linen” Hebrew H906 · used in 19 verses

  • Exodus 28:42 And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:
  • 1 Samuel 22:18 And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.
  • Ezekiel 10:2 And he spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels, even under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city. And he went in in my sight.

“off” Hebrew H6584 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 37:23 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him;
  • 1 Samuel 30:1 And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;
  • Job 1:17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

“leave” Hebrew H3240 · used in 73 verses

  • Genesis 2:15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
  • Judges 6:18 Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present, and set it before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou come again.
  • Ecclesiastes 2:18 Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.

“on” Hebrew H3847 · used in 103 verses

  • Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
  • 2 Chronicles 5:12 Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:)
  • Isaiah 49:18 Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the LORD, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee, as a bride doeth.