Focused Passage

Leviticus 16:11-19

The Day of Atonement: Cleansing the Sanctuary and Bearing Away Israel's Sins

After recalling the death of Aaron's sons, the LORD restricts Aaron's access to the Most Holy Place and commands the Day of Atonement ritual: Aaron must enter with proper sacrifices and linen garments, offer for himself, use incense to cover the atonement cover, sprinkle blood for sanctuary cleansing, lay Israel's sins on the live goat sent into the wilderness, cleanse the altar, change garments, complete burnt offerings, and establish an annual Sabbath-like day of self-denial and atonement for Israel.

Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources

11When Aaron presents the bull for his sin offering and makes atonement for himself and his household, he is to slaughter the bull for his own sin offering.

12Then he must take a censer full of burning coals from the altar before the LORD, and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense, and take them inside the veil.

13He is to put the incense on the fire before the LORD, and the cloud of incense will cover the mercy seat above the Testimony, so that he will not die.

14And he is to take some of the bull’s blood and sprinkle it with his finger on the east side of the mercy seat; then he shall sprinkle some of it with his finger seven times before the mercy seat.

15Aaron shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and bring its blood behind the veil, and with its blood he must do as he did with the bull’s blood: He is to sprinkle it against the mercy seat and in front of it.

16So he shall make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the impurities and rebellious acts of the Israelites in regard to all their sins. He is to do the same for the Tent of Meeting which abides among them in the midst of their impurities.

17No one may be in the Tent of Meeting from the time Aaron goes in to make atonement in the Most Holy Place until he leaves, after he has made atonement for himself, his household, and the whole assembly of Israel.

18Then he shall go out to the altar that is before the LORD and make atonement for it. He is to take some of the bull’s blood and some of the goat’s blood and put it on all the horns of the altar.

19He is to sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times to cleanse it and consecrate it from the uncleanness of the Israelites.

Study Helps

References and Original Words

Verse 11

Original words

When Aaronאַהֲרֹ֜ןH175Noun - proper - masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markerpresentsוְהִקְרִ֨יבH7126Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularthe bullפַּ֤רH6499Noun - masculine singular constructfor his sin offeringהַֽחַטָּאת֙H2403Article | Noun - feminine singular-אֲשֶׁר־H834Pronoun - relativeand makes atonementוְכִפֶּ֥רH3722Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularfor himselfבַּֽעֲד֖וֹH1157Preposition | third person masculine singular. . .וּבְעַ֣דH1157Conjunctive waw | Prepositionand his householdבֵּית֑וֹH1004Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singularhe is to slaughterוְשָׁחַ֛טH7819Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markerthe bullפַּ֥רH6499Noun - masculine singular constructfor his own sin offeringהַֽחַטָּ֖אתH2403Article | Noun - feminine singular-אֲשֶׁר־H834Pronoun - relative
Verse 12

Original words

Then he must takeוְלָקַ֣חH3947Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singulara censerהַ֠מַּחְתָּהH4289Article | Noun - feminine singularfullמְלֹֽא־H4393Noun - masculine singular constructof burningאֵ֞שׁH784Noun - common singularcoalsגַּֽחֲלֵי־H1513Noun - masculine plural constructfromמֵעַ֤לH5921Preposition-mthe altarהַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙H4196Article | Noun - masculine singularbeforeמִלִּפְנֵ֣יH6440Preposition-m, Preposition-l | Noun - common plural constructthe LORDיְהוָ֔הH3068Noun - proper - masculine singularand two handfulsוּמְלֹ֣אH4393Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct. . .חָפְנָ֔יוH2651Noun - masculine dual construct | third person masculine singularof finely groundדַּקָּ֑הH1851Adjective - feminine singularfragrantסַמִּ֖יםH5561Noun - masculine pluralincenseקְטֹ֥רֶתH7004Noun - feminine singular constructand take themוְהֵבִ֖יאH935Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularinsideמִבֵּ֥יתH1004Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular constructthe veilלַפָּרֹֽכֶת׃H6532Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Verse 13

Original words

He is to putוְנָתַ֧ןH5414Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular-אֶֽת־H853Direct object markerthe incenseהַקְּטֹ֛רֶתH7004Article | Noun - feminine singularonעַל־H5921Prepositionthe fireהָאֵ֖שׁH784Article | Noun - common singularbeforeלִפְנֵ֣יH6440Preposition-l | Noun - common plural constructthe LORDיְהוָ֑הH3068Noun - proper - masculine singularand the cloudעֲנַ֣ןH6051Noun - masculine singular constructof incenseהַקְּטֹ֗רֶתH7004Article | Noun - feminine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markerwill coverוְכִסָּ֣ה׀H3680Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularthe mercy seatהַכַּפֹּ֛רֶתH3727Article | Noun - feminine singular-אֲשֶׁ֥רH834Pronoun - relativeaboveעַל־H5921Prepositionthe Testimonyהָעֵד֖וּתH5715Article | Noun - feminine singularso that he will notוְלֹ֥אH3808Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particledieיָמֽוּת׃H4191Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular

BSB notes

  • The Testimony refers to the stone tablets in the ark of the covenant inscribed with the Ten Commandments.
Verse 14

Original words

And he is to takeוְלָקַח֙H3947Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularsome of the bull’sהַפָּ֔רH6499Article | Noun - masculine singularbloodמִדַּ֣םH1818Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular constructand sprinkleוְהִזָּ֧הH5137Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularit with his fingerבְאֶצְבָּע֛וֹH676Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singularonעַל־H5921Prepositionthe eastקֵ֑דְמָהH6924Adverb | third person feminine singularsideפְּנֵ֥יH6440Noun - common plural constructof the mercy seatהַכַּפֹּ֖רֶתH3727Article | Noun - feminine singularthen he shall sprinkleיַזֶּ֧הH5137Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singularsome ofמִן־H4480Preposition[it]הַדָּ֖םH1818Article | Noun - masculine singularwith his fingerבְּאֶצְבָּעֽוֹ׃H676Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singularsevenשֶֽׁבַע־H7651Number - feminine singulartimesפְּעָמִ֛יםH6471Noun - feminine pluralbeforeוְלִפְנֵ֣יH6440Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - common plural constructthe mercy seatהַכַּפֹּ֗רֶתH3727Article | Noun - feminine singular
Verse 15

Original words

[Aaron] shall then slaughterוְשָׁחַ֞טH7819Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markerthe goatשְׂעִ֤ירH8163Noun - masculine singular constructfor the sin offeringהַֽחַטָּאת֙H2403Article | Noun - feminine singular-אֲשֶׁ֣רH834Pronoun - relativefor the peopleלָעָ֔םH5971Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singularand bringוְהֵבִיא֙H935Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markerits bloodדָּמ֔וֹH1818Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular. . .אֶל־H413Prepositionbehindמִבֵּ֖יתH1004Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular constructthe veilלַפָּרֹ֑כֶתH6532Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular. . .אֶת־H854Prepositionand with its bloodדָּמ֗וֹH1818Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singularhe must doוְעָשָׂ֣הH6213Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularasכַּאֲשֶׁ֤רH834Preposition-k | Pronoun - relativehe didעָשָׂה֙H6213Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularwith the bull’sהַפָּ֔רH6499Article | Noun - masculine singularbloodלְדַ֣םH1818Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular constructHe is to sprinkleוְהִזָּ֥הH5137Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular-אֹת֛וֹH853Direct object marker | third person masculine singularit againstעַל־H5921Prepositionthe mercy seatהַכַּפֹּ֖רֶתH3727Article | Noun - feminine singularand in frontוְלִפְנֵ֥יH6440Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - common plural constructof itהַכַּפֹּֽרֶת׃H3727Article | Noun - feminine singular
Verse 16

Original words

So he shall make atonementוְכִפֶּ֣רH3722Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularforעַל־H5921Prepositionthe Most Holy Placeהַקֹּ֗דֶשׁH6944Article | Noun - masculine singularbecause of the impuritiesמִטֻּמְאֹת֙H2932Preposition-m | Noun - feminine plural constructand rebellious actsוּמִפִּשְׁעֵיהֶ֖םH6588Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine pluralvvvבְּנֵ֣יH1121Noun - masculine plural constructof the Israelitesיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לH3478Noun - proper - masculine singularin regard to allלְכָל־H3605Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular constructtheir sinsחַטֹּאתָ֑םH2403Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine pluralHe is to doיַעֲשֶׂה֙H6213Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularthe sameוְכֵ֤ןH3651Conjunctive waw | Adverbfor the Tentלְאֹ֣הֶלH168Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular constructof Meetingמוֹעֵ֔דH4150Noun - masculine singularwhich abidesהַשֹּׁכֵ֣ןH7931Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularamong themאִתָּ֔םH854Preposition | third person masculine pluralin the midstבְּת֖וֹךְH8432Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular constructof their impuritiesטֻמְאֹתָֽם׃H2932Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Verse 17

Original words

Noוְכָל־H3605Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct. . .לֹא־H3808Adverb - Negative particleoneאָדָ֞םH120Noun - masculine singularmay beיִהְיֶ֣ה׀H1961Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularin the Tentבְּאֹ֣הֶלH168Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular constructof Meetingמוֹעֵ֗דH4150Noun - masculine singularfrom the time [Aaron] goes inבְּבֹא֛וֹH935Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singularto make atonementלְכַפֵּ֥רH3722Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive constructin the Most Holy Placeבַּקֹּ֖דֶשׁH6944Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singularuntilעַד־H5704Prepositionhe leavesצֵאת֑וֹH3318Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singularafter he has made atonementוְכִפֶּ֤רH3722Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularfor himselfבַּעֲדוֹ֙H1157Preposition | third person masculine singular. . .וּבְעַ֣דH1157Conjunctive waw | Prepositionhis householdבֵּית֔וֹH1004Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular. . .וּבְעַ֖דH1157Conjunctive waw | Prepositionand the wholeכָּל־H3605Noun - masculine singular constructassemblyקְהַ֥לH6951Noun - masculine singular constructof Israelיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃H3478Noun - proper - masculine singular
Verse 18

Original words

Then he shall go outוְיָצָ֗אH3318Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singulartoאֶל־H413Prepositionthe altarהַמִּזְבֵּ֛חַH4196Article | Noun - masculine singularthatאֲשֶׁ֥רH834Pronoun - relativeis beforeלִפְנֵֽי־H6440Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural constructthe LORDיְהוָ֖הH3068Noun - proper - masculine singularand make atonementוְכִפֶּ֣רH3722Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularfor itעָלָ֑יוH5921Preposition | third person masculine singularHe is to takeוְלָקַ֞חH3947Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularsome of the bull’sהַפָּר֙H6499Article | Noun - masculine singularbloodמִדַּ֤םH1818Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular constructand some of the goat’sהַשָּׂעִ֔ירH8163Article | Noun - masculine singularbloodוּמִדַּ֣םH1818Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular constructand put itוְנָתַ֛ןH5414Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularonעַל־H5921Prepositionallסָבִֽיב׃H5439Adverbthe hornsקַרְנ֥וֹתH7161Noun - feminine plural constructof the altarהַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַH4196Article | Noun - masculine singular
Verse 19

Original words

He is to sprinkleוְהִזָּ֨הH5137Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularsome ofמִן־H4480Prepositionthe bloodהַדָּ֛םH1818Article | Noun - masculine singularon itעָלָ֧יוH5921Preposition | third person masculine singularwith his fingerבְּאֶצְבָּע֖וֹH676Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singularsevenשֶׁ֣בַעH7651Number - feminine singulartimesפְּעָמִ֑יםH6471Noun - feminine pluralto cleanse itוְטִהֲר֣וֹH2891Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singularand consecrate itוְקִדְּשׁ֔וֹH6942Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singularfrom the uncleannessמִטֻּמְאֹ֖תH2932Preposition-m | Noun - feminine plural constructvvvבְּנֵ֥יH1121Noun - masculine plural constructof the Israelitesיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃H3478Noun - proper - masculine singular

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