Exodus 30:10
New International Version
Once a year Aaron shall make atonement on its horns. This annual atonement must be made with the blood of the atoning sin offering for the generations to come. It is most holy to the LORD.”

New Living Translation
“Once a year Aaron must purify the altar by smearing its horns with blood from the offering made to purify the people from their sin. This will be a regular, annual event from generation to generation, for this is the LORD’s most holy altar.”

English Standard Version
Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once a year. With the blood of the sin offering of atonement he shall make atonement for it once in the year throughout your generations. It is most holy to the LORD.”

Berean Standard Bible
Once a year Aaron shall make atonement on the horns of the altar. Throughout your generations he shall make atonement on it annually with the blood of the sin offering of atonement. The altar is most holy to the LORD.”

King James Bible
And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the LORD.

New King James Version
And Aaron shall make atonement upon its horns once a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonement; once a year he shall make atonement upon it throughout your generations. It is most holy to the LORD.”

New American Standard Bible
However, Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once a year; he shall make atonement on it with the blood of the sin offering of atonement once a year throughout your generations. It is most holy to the LORD.”

NASB 1995
“Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once a year; he shall make atonement on it with the blood of the sin offering of atonement once a year throughout your generations. It is most holy to the LORD.”

NASB 1977
“And Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once a year; he shall make atonement on it with the blood of the sin offering of atonement once a year throughout your generations. It is most holy to the LORD.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once a year; he shall make atonement on it with the blood of the sin offering of atonement once a year throughout your generations. It is most holy to Yahweh.”

Amplified Bible
Once a year Aaron shall make atonement [for sin] on its horns. He shall make atonement on it with the blood of the sin offering of atonement once a year throughout your generations. It is most holy to the LORD.”

Christian Standard Bible
“Once a year Aaron is to perform the atonement ceremony for the altar. Throughout your generations he is to perform the atonement ceremony for it once a year, with the blood of the sin offering for atonement on the horns. The altar is especially holy to the LORD.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Once a year Aaron is to perform the purification rite on the horns of the altar. Throughout your generations he is to perform the purification rite for it once a year, with the blood of the sin offering for atonement. The altar is especially holy to the LORD.”

American Standard Version
And Aaron shall make atonement upon the horns of it once in the year; with the blood of the sin-offering of atonement once in the year shall he make atonement for it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
Once a year Aaron must purify the altar by smearing on its four corners the blood of an animal sacrificed for sin, and this practice must always be followed. The altar is sacred because it is dedicated to me.

English Revised Version
And Aaron shall make atonement upon the horns of it once in the year: with the blood of the sin offering of atonement once in the year shall he make atonement for it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Once a year Aaron must make peace with the LORD by putting blood on its horns. Once a year-for generations to come-blood from the offering must be placed on the altar to make peace with the LORD. It is most holy to the LORD."

Good News Translation
Once a year Aaron is to perform the ritual for purifying the altar by putting on its four projections the blood of the animal sacrificed for sin. This is to be done every year for all time to come. This altar is to be completely holy, dedicated to me, the LORD."

International Standard Version
Each year Aaron is to make atonement on its horns with the blood of the sin offering of atonement. He is to make atonement on it each year throughout your generations. It is most holy to the LORD."

Majority Standard Bible
Once a year Aaron shall make atonement on the horns of the altar. Throughout your generations he shall make atonement on it annually with the blood of the sin offering of atonement. The altar is most holy to the LORD.”

NET Bible
Aaron is to make atonement on its horns once in the year with some of the blood of the sin offering for atonement; once in the year he is to make atonement on it throughout your generations. It is most holy to the LORD."

New Heart English Bible
Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once in the year; with the blood of the sin offering of atonement once in the year he shall make atonement for it throughout your generations. It is most holy to the LORD."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year, with the blood of the sin-offering of atonements: once in a year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy to the LORD.

World English Bible
Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once in the year; with the blood of the sin offering of atonement once in the year he shall make atonement for it throughout your generations. It is most holy to Yahweh.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Aaron has made atonement on its horns once in a year, by the blood of the sin-offering of atonements; once in a year he makes atonement for it, throughout your generations; it [is] most holy to YHWH.”

Young's Literal Translation
and Aaron hath made atonement on its horns, once in a year, by the blood of the sin-offering of atonements; once in a year doth he make atonement for it, to your generations; it is most holy to Jehovah.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Aaron to expiate upon its horns once in a year, from the blood of the sin of the expiation: once in a year he shall expiate upon it for your generations: it is holy of holies to Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Aaron shall pray upon the horns thereof once a year, with the blood of that which was offered for sin, and shall make atonement upon it in your generations. It shall be most holy to the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Aaron shall pray over its horns once a year, with the blood of what was offered for sin. And he shall make atonement over it in your generations. It shall be the Holy of holies to the Lord.”

New American Bible
Once a year Aaron shall purge its horns. Throughout your generations he is to purge it once a year with the blood of the atoning purification offering. This altar is most sacred to the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
Once a year Aaron shall perform the rite of atonement on its horns. Throughout your generations he shall perform the atonement for it once a year with the blood of the atoning sin offering. It is most holy to the LORD.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonement; once in a year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations; it is most holy to the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Ahron shall make atonement on the horns of the altar once a year from the blood of sin offering of the atonement; once in a year he shall make atonement upon it for your generations; it is The Holy of Holies to LORD JEHOVAH.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Aaron shall make atonement upon the horns of it once in the year; with the blood of the sin-offering of atonement once in the year shall he make atonement for it throughout your generations; it is most holy unto the LORD.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And once in the year Aaron shall make atonement on its horns, he shall purge it with the blood of purification for their generations: it is most holy to the Lord.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Altar of Incense
9On this altar you must not offer unauthorized incense or a burnt offering or grain offering; nor are you to pour a drink offering on it. 10Once a year Aaron shall make atonement on the horns of the altar. Throughout your generations he shall make atonement on it annually with the blood of the sin offering of atonement. The altar is most holy to the LORD.”

Cross References
Leviticus 16:29-34
This is to be a permanent statute for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month, you shall humble yourselves and not do any work—whether the native or the foreigner who resides among you— / because on this day atonement will be made for you to cleanse you, and you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD. / It is a Sabbath of complete rest for you, that you may humble yourselves; it is a permanent statute. ...

Hebrews 9:7
But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.

Leviticus 4:6-7
The priest is to dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle some of it seven times before the LORD, in front of the veil of the sanctuary. / The priest must then put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense that is before the LORD in the Tent of Meeting. And he is to pour out the rest of the bull’s blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

Hebrews 9:25
Nor did He enter heaven to offer Himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own.

Leviticus 16:15-16
Aaron 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. / So 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.

Hebrews 10:3-4
Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, / because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Leviticus 23:27-28
“The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. You shall hold a sacred assembly and humble yourselves, and present a food offering to the LORD. / On this day you are not to do any work, for it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before the LORD your God.

Hebrews 9:22
According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

Leviticus 8:15
Moses slaughtered the bull, took some of the blood, and applied it with his finger to all four horns of the altar, purifying the altar. He poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar and consecrated it so that atonement could be made on it.

Hebrews 7:27
Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself.

Leviticus 9:7
Then Moses said to Aaron, “Approach the altar and sacrifice your sin offering and your burnt offering to make atonement for yourself and for the people. And sacrifice the people’s offering to make atonement for them, as the LORD has commanded.”

Hebrews 5:1-3
Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. / He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided, since he himself is subject to weakness. / That is why he is obligated to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.

Leviticus 10:17
“Why didn’t you eat the sin offering in the holy place? For it is most holy; it was given to you to take away the guilt of the congregation by making atonement for them before the LORD.

Hebrews 9:11-12
But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation. / He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.

Leviticus 17:11
For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for your souls upon the altar; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.


Treasury of Scripture

And Aaron shall make an atonement on the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement on it throughout your generations: it is most holy to the LORD.

Aaron

Exodus 29:36,37
And thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement: and thou shalt cleanse the altar, when thou hast made an atonement for it, and thou shalt anoint it, to sanctify it…

Leviticus 16:18,29,30
And he shall go out unto the altar that is before the LORD, and make an atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about…

Leviticus 23:27
Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

sin offering

Leviticus 16:5,6
And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering…

Jump to Previous
Aaron Annual Atonement Atonements Atoning Blood Clean Generations Holy Horns Offering Once Sin Sin-Offering Throughout
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Aaron Annual Atonement Atonements Atoning Blood Clean Generations Holy Horns Offering Once Sin Sin-Offering Throughout
Exodus 30
1. The altar of incense
11. The ransom of souls
17. The bronze basin
22. The holy anointing oil
34. The composition of the incense














Once a year
This phrase indicates the annual nature of the ritual, emphasizing the importance of regular, repeated acts of atonement. The Hebrew word for "year" is "שָׁנָה" (shanah), which signifies a complete cycle of time. This annual observance underscores the perpetual need for atonement and reconciliation with God, reminding the Israelites of their continual dependence on divine grace and forgiveness.

Aaron
Aaron, the brother of Moses, serves as the first high priest of Israel. His role is crucial as a mediator between God and the people. The Hebrew name "אַהֲרֹן" (Aharon) can mean "mountain of strength" or "enlightened," reflecting his significant position in leading the Israelites in worship and maintaining the covenant relationship with God.

is to make atonement
The Hebrew word for "atonement" is "כָּפַר" (kaphar), meaning to cover or to purge. This act of atonement involves a ritual cleansing, symbolizing the covering of sins and the restoration of a right relationship with God. It points forward to the ultimate atonement made by Jesus Christ, who covers the sins of humanity once and for all.

on its horns
The "horns" refer to the projections on the four corners of the altar of incense. In ancient Near Eastern culture, horns symbolize strength and power. The application of blood on the horns signifies the altar's sanctification and the power of the atoning sacrifice to cleanse and purify.

Throughout your generations
This phrase emphasizes the enduring nature of the commandment. The Hebrew "לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶם" (ledoroteichem) means "for your generations," indicating that this practice is not just for the present but is to be observed by future generations. It highlights the timelessness of God's covenant and the ongoing need for atonement.

with the blood of the sin offering of atonement
Blood is a central element in the sacrificial system, symbolizing life and the seriousness of sin. The "sin offering" (חַטָּאת, chatat) is a specific sacrifice for unintentional sins, emphasizing the need for purification. This foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, whose blood provides eternal atonement for sin.

It is most holy to the LORD
The phrase "most holy" (קֹדֶשׁ קָדָשִׁים, kodesh kadashim) signifies the highest level of sanctity. This designation underscores the sacredness of the altar and the atonement process. It reminds believers of the holiness of God and the reverence required in approaching Him, pointing to the ultimate holiness found in Christ.

(10) Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year.--This passage seems to determine the sense of Leviticus 16:18, where some have supposed that "the altar that is before the Lord" is the brazen altar. Once in the year, on the great day of atonement, the high priest, after entering within the vail and sprinkling the blood of the offerings upon the mercy seat (Leviticus 16:14-15), was to "go out unto the altar that was before the Lord, and put of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, upon the horns of the altar round about, and sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times," and so "cleanse it, and hallow it," and "make an atonement for it" (Leviticus 16:18-19).

Verse 10. - Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in the year. Once in the year, on the great day of atonement - the tenth day of the seventh month - the high priest, after burning incense within the veil, and sprinkling the blood of a bullock and a ram towards the mercy seat, was to take of the blood, and put it on the horns of the altar of incense "to make an atonement for it - to cleanse it and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel" (Leviticus 16:18, 19). This was not making it an altar of expiation, but merely expiating it. There was, however, another use for the altar, where it seems to have served for an altar of expiation. When the high priest had sinned in his official character, and offered a sin-offering for his cleansing (Leviticus 4:3-12), or when the whole congregation had committed an offence through inadvertence, and did the same (ib, 13-21), the high priest was to put of the blood of the sacrifice on the horns of the altar of incense, "for the expiation of his own sin and the sin of the people" (Keil). In these two cases, the altar of incense served the purpose of the altar of burnt-offering, on which was put the blood of private sin-offerings (ib, 22-35). It is most holy. There seems to be sufficient reason for considering the altar of incense as, next to the ark and mercy seat, the most sacred object in the furniture of the tabernacle. This precedence indicates the extreme value which God sets upon prayer.

CHAPTER 30:11-16

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Once
אַחַ֖ת (’a·ḥaṯ)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

a year
בַּשָּׁנָ֑ה (baš·šā·nāh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8141: A year

Aaron
אַהֲרֹן֙ (’a·hă·rōn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 175: Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses

shall make atonement
וְכִפֶּ֤ר (wə·ḵip·per)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3722: To cover, to expiate, condone, to placate, cancel

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the horns [of the altar].
קַרְנֹתָ֔יו (qar·nō·ṯāw)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7161: A horn, a flask, cornet, an elephant's tooth, a corner, a peak, a ray, power

Throughout your generations
לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם (lə·ḏō·rō·ṯê·ḵem)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 1755: A revolution of time, an age, generation, a dwelling

he shall make atonement
יְכַפֵּ֤ר (yə·ḵap·pêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3722: To cover, to expiate, condone, to placate, cancel

on it
עָלָיו֙ (‘ā·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

annually
אַחַ֤ת (’a·ḥaṯ)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

with the blood
מִדַּ֞ם (mid·dam)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1818: Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed

of the sin offering
חַטַּ֣את (ḥaṭ·ṭaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2403: An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender

of atonement.
הַכִּפֻּרִ֗ים (hak·kip·pu·rîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3725: Expiation

The altar [is]
ה֖וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

most
קֹֽדֶשׁ־ (qō·ḏeš-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

holy
קָֽדָשִׁ֥ים (qā·ḏā·šîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

to the LORD.”
לַיהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


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OT Law: Exodus 30:10 Aaron shall make atonement on its horns (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 30:9
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