He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on.

LEVITICUS 16:4KJV
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Leviticus 16:4 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 16:4 mean?

Leviticus 16:4 describes how the high priest must wash himself and put on special linen clothes before entering the holy place on the Day of Atonement. These simple, holy garments set him apart for his sacred duties and show respect for the seriousness of the occasion.

God is speaking to Moses, giving instructions for Aaron, the high priest, about how to prepare for the most important ritual of the year. Instead of wearing his usual, more elaborate priestly clothes, Aaron is told to wear plain linen garments. This act of washing and dressing in these specific clothes shows humility and the need for purity before approaching God in the tabernacle.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 16:4

  • The word for "holy" (קָדוֹשׁ, qadosh) is used to describe the garments, highlighting that these clothes are set apart for a special purpose, not ordinary clothing.
  • "Linen" (בַּד, bad) appears several times, emphasizing that every piece of the outfit—the coat, breeches, girdle, and mitre—is made from this material, which was often associated with purity and simplicity.
  • "Wash" (רָחַץ, rachats) means to bathe or cleanse, showing that the priest must be physically clean before putting on the holy garments, underlining the importance of ritual purity.
  • "Girded" (אָזַר, azar) refers to tying the linen girdle around the waist, which was a practical step but also symbolized readiness and service.

Why Leviticus 16:4 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that the high priest always wore ornate garments; on the Day of Atonement, he wore simple linen to show humility before God.
  • The focus on washing and special clothing highlights the seriousness of approaching God and the need for both inward and outward purity.
  • Leviticus 16:4 sets the stage for the rest of the chapter, which describes the unique rituals of the Day of Atonement and the high priest’s role as a mediator for the people.