And he shall wash his flesh with water in the holy place, and put on his garments, and come forth, and offer his burnt offering, and the burnt offering of the people, and make an atonement for himself, and for the people.

LEVITICUS 16:24KJV
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Leviticus 16:24 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 16:24 mean?

Leviticus 16:24 describes how the high priest must wash himself with water in a special, holy area, put on his regular priestly clothes, and then offer burnt sacrifices for himself and for the people to make atonement. This verse shows the careful steps required for the high priest to complete the Day of Atonement rituals.

In this verse, God is giving Moses instructions for Aaron, the high priest, about what to do after making the sin offering on the Day of Atonement. The washing and changing of garments mark a transition from the most sacred part of the ritual back to regular priestly duties. The burnt offerings that follow are meant to complete the process of making things right between God, the priest, and the people.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 16:24

  • "wash" (רָחַץ, rachats): This word means to wash or bathe, emphasizing a full cleansing, not just a symbolic act. The washing is a sign of purity before continuing with the offerings.
  • "flesh" (בָּשָׂר, basar): This word refers to the priest’s body, showing that the washing is physical and thorough, not just ceremonial.
  • "holy" (קָדוֹשׁ, qadosh) and "place" (מָקוֹם, maqom): Together, these words show that the washing happens in a specifically set-apart area, not just anywhere, highlighting the seriousness of the ritual.
  • "atonement" (כָּפַר, kaphar): This word means to cover or make reconciliation, showing that the offerings are meant to restore the relationship between God, the priest, and the people.

Why Leviticus 16:24 matters

  • This verse shows that even the high priest needed cleansing and atonement, underlining that no one is above the need for forgiveness and purity.
  • The careful sequence—washing, changing clothes, and offering sacrifices—reveals the seriousness and orderliness of approaching God, especially on the Day of Atonement.
  • The verse connects the personal responsibility of the priest with the collective need of the people, tying individual and community atonement together in one ritual.

Where else these words appear

“wash” Hebrew H7364 · used in 71 verses

  • Genesis 18:4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
  • Leviticus 15:5 And whosoever toucheth his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.
  • Judges 19:21 So he brought him into his house, and gave provender unto the asses: and they washed their feet, and did eat and drink.

“atonement” Hebrew H3722 · used in 94 verses

  • Genesis 6:14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
  • Leviticus 14:21 And if he be poor, and cannot get so much; then he shall take one lamb for a trespass offering to be waved, to make an atonement for him, and one tenth deal of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering, and a log of oil;
  • Numbers 28:22 And one goat for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you.

“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.

“holy” Hebrew H6918 · used in 106 verses

  • Exodus 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
  • 2 Chronicles 35:3 And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders: serve now the LORD your God, and his people Israel,
  • Isaiah 29:19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.