◄ Leviticus 16:18 ►
Then 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.
Study Bible
Then he shall go out to the altar that is before the LORD
This phrase refers to the high priest's actions on the Day of Atonement, a significant event in the Israelite religious calendar. The altar mentioned is the altar of burnt offering, located in the courtyard of the Tabernacle. This altar is "before the LORD" because it is situated in the sacred space where God's presence dwells among His people. The high priest's movement from the Holy of Holies to the altar signifies the extension of atonement from the innermost sanctuary to the entire community. This act underscores the holiness required in approaching God and the need for purification of the place where sacrifices are offered.

and make atonement for it
Atonement involves the covering or removal of sin, allowing reconciliation between God and His people. The altar, though a sacred object, required purification due to the sinfulness of the people who used it. This reflects the pervasive nature of sin and the need for cleansing even in the instruments of worship. The concept of atonement is central to the sacrificial system and foreshadows the ultimate atonement made by Jesus Christ, who cleanses not only the physical but also the spiritual defilement of humanity.

He is to take some of the bull’s blood and some of the goat’s blood
The use of both bull's and goat's blood highlights the comprehensive nature of the atonement process. The bull's blood was for the high priest and his household, while the goat's blood was for the people of Israel. This dual application signifies the need for both personal and communal purification. Blood, representing life, is the means by which atonement is made, as life is given in exchange for life. This prefigures the sacrificial death of Christ, whose blood was shed for the sins of all humanity, fulfilling the requirements of the law.

and put it on all the horns of the altar
The horns of the altar, located at its four corners, symbolize strength and power. Applying blood to the horns signifies the sanctification and consecration of the altar, ensuring that it is a fit place for offerings to God. This act of purification is necessary for the altar to function as a means of divine-human interaction. In a broader theological context, the horns can be seen as pointing to the power of Christ's sacrifice, which sanctifies and empowers believers to approach God with confidence.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The High Priest
The central figure in this passage, responsible for performing the atonement rituals on the Day of Atonement.

2. The Altar
Located before the LORD, it is the place where sacrifices are made and atonement is sought.

3. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who prescribes the means of atonement and forgiveness.

4. The Bull and the Goat
Sacrificial animals whose blood is used for atonement, symbolizing purification and forgiveness.

5. The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)
A significant annual event in the Jewish calendar focused on repentance and reconciliation with God.
Teaching Points
The Necessity of Atonement
The passage underscores the need for atonement to approach a holy God. It reminds us of the seriousness of sin and the provision God has made for reconciliation.

Symbolism of Blood
Blood is a powerful symbol of life and purification. In the Old Testament, it foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, whose blood cleanses us from all sin.

The Role of the Mediator
The high priest acts as a mediator between God and the people, pointing to Jesus Christ, our ultimate High Priest, who intercedes on our behalf.

Holiness of God
The detailed instructions for atonement highlight God's holiness and the need for purity in worship. It calls believers to live lives set apart for God.

Community and Individual Responsibility
The Day of Atonement was a communal event, yet it required individual repentance. This balance is essential in our spiritual lives today.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of the high priest in Leviticus 16:18 foreshadow the work of Jesus Christ as described in Hebrews 9?

2. What does the use of blood in the atonement process teach us about the seriousness of sin and the cost of forgiveness?

3. In what ways can we apply the principles of atonement and purification in our personal spiritual practices today?

4. How does the communal aspect of the Day of Atonement inform our understanding of corporate worship and repentance in the church?

5. Reflect on the holiness of God as depicted in Leviticus 16:18. How does this understanding impact your daily walk with God and your approach to worship?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Hebrews 9
This chapter in the New Testament discusses the limitations of the old sacrificial system and how it points to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who entered the heavenly sanctuary once for all.

Exodus 30:10
This verse describes the annual atonement for the altar, connecting the ritual purity of the altar with the broader system of atonement.

Romans 3:25
Paul speaks of Jesus as the propitiation by His blood, drawing a parallel to the sacrificial system and its fulfillment in Christ.
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
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
Altar, Atonement, Blood, Bull, Bullock, Bull's, Free, Goat, Goat's, Horns, Ox, Round, Sides, Sin
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 16:18

     4654   horn

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 16:15-22

     6750   sin-bearer
     8272   holiness, growth in

Leviticus 16:18-19

     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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