Monday, 23 December 2024

Leviticus 16 (résumé): The Day of Atonement

The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) was to be celebrated with a fasting holiday, on the 10th day of the 7th month, and it was to be an annual atonement for the sins of the people. The sacrifices and ceremony were to be carried out by Aaron the high priest, though it was stressed that he needed to be very cautious about how and when he entered in to the Holy of Holies. 

First of all on this day Aaron was to bring a bull, a ram and 2 male goats, and wash himself prior to dressing with his full priestly regalia. He was then to sacrifice the bull for his sin and that of his household. He would then cast lots over the 2 goats resulting in one being sacrificed as a sin offering and the other being released as a scapegoat. Aaron was to take burning coals before the Lord, put incense on the fire and sprinkle the bull's blood seven times before the atonement cover.

Aaron shall then atone for the Holy of Holies and the Tabernacle using the goat's blood and in so doing he will atone for himself, his household and the whole community of Israel. He will then lay both hands on the head of the live goat before sending it into the desert where it will symbolically carry everyone's sin.

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