◄ Leviticus 16:14 ►
And 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.
Study Bible
He is to take some of the bull’s blood
The act of taking the bull's blood is deeply symbolic in the Hebrew tradition. The Hebrew word for blood, "dam," signifies life itself (Leviticus 17:11). In the sacrificial system, blood represents atonement and purification. The bull, a significant and valuable animal, underscores the gravity of sin and the cost of atonement. This act foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, whose blood was shed for the remission of sins (Hebrews 9:22).

and sprinkle it with his finger
The sprinkling of blood with the finger is a precise and deliberate act. The Hebrew word for sprinkle, "nazah," implies a ritualistic purification process. The use of the finger, rather than a tool, indicates a personal and direct involvement of the high priest, symbolizing the intimate connection between God and His people. This act of sprinkling signifies the cleansing of sin and the restoration of holiness.

against the front of the mercy seat
The mercy seat, or "kapporet" in Hebrew, is the cover of the Ark of the Covenant. It is the place where God’s presence dwells and where atonement is made. The mercy seat represents God’s throne of grace and His willingness to forgive. Sprinkling blood here signifies the appeasement of God’s wrath and the reconciliation between God and man.

on the east side
The east side holds significant biblical symbolism. In the Garden of Eden, cherubim were placed on the east to guard the way to the tree of life (Genesis 3:24). The east often represents the direction of God’s presence and the entrance to sacred spaces. This orientation underscores the hope of re-entering God’s presence through atonement.

he is to sprinkle some of it with his finger seven times
The number seven in Hebrew culture symbolizes completeness and perfection, often associated with God’s creation and covenant (Genesis 2:2-3). Sprinkling the blood seven times signifies the complete and perfect atonement for the sins of Israel. It reflects the fullness of God’s forgiveness and the totality of His cleansing power.

before the mercy seat
The act of sprinkling before the mercy seat, rather than directly on it, emphasizes reverence and the holiness of God’s presence. It signifies the preparation and purification necessary to approach God. This act serves as a reminder of the separation caused by sin and the grace that allows believers to draw near to God through atonement.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Aaron
The high priest who performs the ritual of atonement. He is a central figure in the Levitical priesthood and is responsible for carrying out the Day of Atonement ceremonies.

2. The Mercy Seat
The cover of the Ark of the Covenant, located in the Most Holy Place of the Tabernacle. It represents God's throne and His presence among the Israelites.

3. The Bull
The animal whose blood is used for atonement. It symbolizes the substitutionary sacrifice necessary for the forgiveness of sins.

4. The Tabernacle
The portable dwelling place for the divine presence, where the Israelites worshiped God during their journey in the wilderness.

5. The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)
An annual event where the high priest makes atonement for the sins of the people of Israel, symbolizing purification and reconciliation with God.
Teaching Points
The Significance of Blood in Atonement
Blood represents life and is essential for atonement, symbolizing the seriousness of sin and the need for a life to be given in exchange for forgiveness.

The Role of the High Priest
Aaron's role as the mediator between God and the people prefigures Christ's role as our ultimate High Priest, who intercedes on our behalf.

The Mercy Seat as a Symbol of God's Presence and Forgiveness
The Mercy Seat is where God meets with His people, signifying His willingness to forgive and dwell among them when approached with a repentant heart.

The Importance of Ritual and Obedience
The detailed instructions for the Day of Atonement highlight the importance of following God's commands precisely, reflecting a heart of obedience and reverence.

The Fulfillment in Christ
The rituals of the Day of Atonement find their fulfillment in Jesus, whose sacrifice provides eternal redemption and access to God's presence for all who believe.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of the high priest in Leviticus 16:14 foreshadow the work of Jesus Christ as described in Hebrews 9?

2. What is the significance of the Mercy Seat in the context of the Old Testament, and how does it relate to the concept of propitiation in the New Testament?

3. In what ways does the ritual of sprinkling blood before the Mercy Seat emphasize the seriousness of sin and the need for atonement?

4. How can understanding the Day of Atonement deepen our appreciation for the sacrifice of Jesus and His role as our High Priest?

5. What practical steps can we take to ensure that our worship and obedience to God reflect the reverence and precision demonstrated in the Levitical rituals?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Hebrews 9
This chapter in the New Testament explains how the rituals of the Day of Atonement foreshadow the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who entered the heavenly sanctuary once for all by His own blood.

Exodus 25
Describes the construction of the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat, emphasizing their significance in the worship and covenant relationship between God and Israel.

Romans 3
Discusses the concept of propitiation, which is related to the Mercy Seat, highlighting Jesus as the ultimate atoning sacrifice for humanity's sins.
Sermons
The Climax of Sacrificial Worship: the Day of AtonementR.M. Edgar Leviticus 16:1-34
The Great Day of AtonementR.A. Redford Leviticus 16:1-34
Type and Antitype - the PriestW. Clarkson Leviticus 16:2-17
A Proffered SubstituteW. Thompson.Leviticus 16:3-34
Christ Typified by the Two GoatsJ. Burns, D. D.Leviticus 16:3-34
Christian's Confession of SinSpurgeon, Charles HaddonLeviticus 16:3-34
Christ's Anesthesia for the Remembrance of SinLeviticus 16:3-34
Hindrances to Repentance RemovedJ. Spencer.Leviticus 16:3-34
Intercession of ChristS. Thodey.Leviticus 16:3-34
LessonsA. Willet, D. D.Leviticus 16:3-34
Moral ObservationsA. Willet, D. D.Leviticus 16:3-34
Moses and Christ; the Day of AtonementW. Clarkson, B. A.Leviticus 16:3-34
Need for the Great AtonementJ. Hamilton, D. D.Leviticus 16:3-34
Sinners Always Ready to Conceal Their SinT. Adams.Leviticus 16:3-34
Spiritual Significance of the Ceremonies on the Day of AtonementT. M. Morris.Leviticus 16:3-34
The Annual AtonementSpurgeon, Charles HaddonLeviticus 16:3-34
The Ceremonies of the Day of AtonementF. E. Clark.Leviticus 16:3-34
The Climax of Sacrificial WorshipR. M.,Edgar, M. A.Leviticus 16:3-34
The Day of AtonementSpurgeon, Charles HaddonLeviticus 16:3-34
The Day of AtonementD. O. Mears.Leviticus 16:3-34
The Day of AtonementD. C. Hughes, M. A.Leviticus 16:3-34
The Day of AtonementH. Melvill, B. D.Leviticus 16:3-34
The Day of AtonementJ. A. Seiss, D. D.Leviticus 16:3-34
The Garments of the PriestF. E. Clark.Leviticus 16:3-34
The Two GoatsF. E. Clark.Leviticus 16:3-34
The Two Goats -- Various InterpretationsJ. Cumming, D. D.Leviticus 16:3-34
There Shalt be no Man in the TabernacleH. C. Trumbull.Leviticus 16:3-34
True RepentanceH. W. Beecher.Leviticus 16:3-34
Trusting in the SubstituteLeviticus 16:3-34
Value of RepentanceJ. Spencer.Leviticus 16:3-34
The Sacrifices of the Day of AtonementJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 16:5-28
Type and Antitype - the OfferingW. Clarkson Leviticus 16:7-10, 15, 21, 22
People
Aaron, Israelites, Moses
Places
Teman
Topics
Atonement, Blood, Bull, Cover, East, Finger, Front, Mercy, Seat, Seven, Sprinkle
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 16:14

     1653   numbers, 6-10
     5152   fingers

Leviticus 16:1-22

     7316   blood, OT sacrifices

Leviticus 16:1-33

     6616   atonement, in OT

Leviticus 16:1-34

     1680   types
     7422   ritual

Leviticus 16:2-34

     5378   law, OT

Leviticus 16:3-34

     6648   expiation
     8629   worship, times

Leviticus 16:6-19

     7308   Atonement, Day of

Leviticus 16:11-14

     4615   bull

Leviticus 16:12-17

     6606   access to God

Leviticus 16:13-15

     7306   ark of the covenant

Leviticus 16:14-16

     7454   sprinkling

Library
August 9. "He Shall Lay Both his Hands Upon the Head of the Live Goat, and Confess Over Him all the Iniquities of the Children of Israel; Transgressions and Sins" (Lev. xvi. 21).
"He shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel; transgressions and sins" (Lev. xvi. 21). As any evil comes up, and the consciousness of any unholy thing touches our inner senses, it is our privilege at once to hand it over to the Holy Ghost and to lay it upon Jesus, as something already crucified with Him, and as of old, in the case of the sin offering, it will be carried without the camp and burned to ashes. There may …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Day of Atonement
'And the Lord spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron when they offered before the Lord, and died; 2. And the Lord said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy-seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy-seat. 3. Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place; with a young bullock for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering. 4. He shall put on the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Day of Atonement
Now, I shall invite your attention to the ceremonies of this solemn day, taking the different parts in detail. First, we shall consider the person who made the atonement; secondly, the sacrifice whereby the atonement was typically made; thirdly, the effects of the atonement; and fourthly, our behaviour on the recollection of the atonement, as well set forth by the conduct prescribed to the Israelites on that day. I. First, THE PERSON WHO WAS TO MAKE THE ATONEMENT. And at the outset, we remark that …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 2: 1856

The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Foreshadowed in the Ritual on the Annual Day of Israel's Atonement.
The order of events on the Day of Atonement are described in Leviticus 16, a chapter which is exceedingly rich in its typical signification. The Day of Atonement had to do with the putting away of Israel's sins, therefore, its dispensational application refers mainly to Israel though, as we shall see, the Church was also typically represented. We shall not now attempt anything more than a bare outline of the happenings of that most memorable day on Israel's sacred calendar. The order of its ritual …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

The Great High-Priest.
"Having then a great High-priest, Who hath passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high-priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but One that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need. For every high-priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

Fifth Sunday in Lent
Text: Hebrews 9, 11-15. 11 But Christ having come a high priest of the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, 12 nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling them that have been defiled, sanctify unto the cleanness of the flesh: …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

Parable of the Pharisee and Publican.
^C Luke XVIII. 9-14. ^c 9 And he spake also this parable unto certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and set all others at nought [It is commonly said that this parable teaches humility in prayer, but the preface and conclusion (see verse 14) show that it is indeed to set forth generally the difference between self-righteousness and humility, and that an occasion of prayer is chosen because it best illustrates the point which the Lord desired to teach. The parable shows that …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Intercession of Christ
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us! T he Redemption of the soul is precious. Fools make mock of sin (Proverbs 14:9) . But they will not think lightly of it, who duly consider the majesty, authority, and goodness of Him, against whom it is committed; and who are taught, by what God actually has done, what sin rendered necessary to be done, before a sinner could have a well-grounded …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

The Call of Matthew - the Saviour's Welcome to Sinners - Rabbinic Theology as Regards the Doctrine of Forgiveness in Contrast to the Gospel of Christ
In two things chiefly does the fundamental difference appear between Christianity and all other religious systems, notably Rabbinism. And in these two things, therefore, lies the main characteristic of Christ's work; or, taking a wider view, the fundamental idea of all religions. Subjectively, they concern sin and the sinner; or, to put it objectively, the forgiveness of sin and the welcome to the sinner. But Rabbinism, and every other system down to modern humanitarianism - if it rises so high in …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Sundry Exhortations.
HEBREWS xiii. Let love of the brethren continue. Forget not to shew love unto strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; them that are evil entreated, as being yourselves also in the body. Let marriage be had in honour among all, and let the bed be undefiled: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Be ye free from the love of money; content with such things as ye have: for Himself hath said, I will in no wise fail thee, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

The Cavils of the Pharisees Concerning Purification, and the Teaching of the Lord Concerning Purity - the Traditions Concerning Hand-Washing' and Vows. '
As we follow the narrative, confirmatory evidence of what had preceded springs up at almost every step. It is quite in accordance with the abrupt departure of Jesus from Capernaum, and its motives, that when, so far from finding rest and privacy at Bethsaida (east of the Jordan), a greater multitude than ever had there gathered around Him, which would fain have proclaimed Him King, He resolved on immediate return to the western shore, with the view of seeking a quieter retreat, even though it were …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Christ a Complete Saviour:
OR, THE INTERCESSION OF CHRIST, AND WHO ARE PRIVILEGED IN IT. BY JOHN BUNYAN Advertisement by the Editor. However strange it may appear, it is a solemn fact, that the heart of man, unless prepared by a sense of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, rejects Christ as a complete Saviour. The pride of human nature will not suffer it to fall, as helpless and utterly undone, into the arms of Divine mercy. Man prefers a partial Saviour; one who had done so much, that, with the sinner's aid, the work might be …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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