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Leviticus 16:23-28

Post-Atonement Purification and Disposal of Sacrificial Remains

Atonement is followed by purification and the removal of what is associated with sin from the community.

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Leviticus 16:23-28 (BSB)

23 Then Aaron is to enter the Tent of Meeting, take off the linen garments he put on before entering the Most Holy Place, and leave them there.

24 He is to bathe himself with water in a holy place and put on his own clothes. Then he must go out and sacrifice his burnt offering and the people’s burnt offering to make atonement for himself and for the people.

25 He is also to burn the fat of the sin offering on the altar.

26 The man who released the goat as the scapegoat must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water; afterward he may reenter the camp.

27 The bull for the sin offering and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought into the Most Holy Place to make atonement, must be taken outside the camp; and their hides, flesh, and dung must be burned up.

28 The one who burns them must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water, and afterward he may reenter the camp.

What is the big idea of Leviticus 16:23-28?

Atonement is followed by purification and the removal of what is associated with sin from the community.

How does Leviticus 16:23-28 point to Christ?

The removal and burning of sin offerings outside the camp underscore that sin must be decisively separated from the people, highlighting that restoration involves both atonement and cleansing from defilement.

Authorial Intent

This passage prescribes the required actions following the atonement rituals, including the high priest’s change of garments, further offerings, and the proper disposal of sacrificial remains outside the camp.

Questions for Reflection

  1. Why is further cleansing required after atonement has been made?
  2. What does the removal of the carcasses outside the camp teach about sin?
  3. How does this passage shape our understanding of ongoing purification?
  4. Why are burnt offerings offered after the sin offerings?

Literary Context

Leviticus 16:23-28 follows the blood rites and live-goat removal of Leviticus 16:11-22. It concludes the active ritual sequence by describing priestly washing, garment change, burnt offerings, altar fat, and disposal of the sin-offering remains outside the camp. It prepares for the calendar command and annual statute in Leviticus 16:29-34.

Historical Context

Leviticus 16 legislates the Day of Atonement within Israel's wilderness sanctuary order after the deaths of Nadab and Abihu. The instructions regulate priestly access, sanctuary cleansing, communal atonement, and the safe handling of impurity-bearing ritual elements. Israel under the Sinai covenant, especially Aaron and the priesthood, with implications for the whole covenant community gathered around the tabernacle.

Chapter: Leviticus 16

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

The holy LORD provides annual atonement through His appointed high priest, blood, substitution, confession, cleansing, and removal so that He may continue dwelling among His sinful and unclean people.