The Day of Atonement, known as Yom Kippur, is one of the most solemn and significant days in the Jewish calendar, as outlined in Leviticus 16. It is a day dedicated to atonement and repentance, during which the high priest performs a series of intricate rituals to atone for the sins of the people of Israel. Central to these rituals are the purifications or baptisms of the high priest, which underscore the necessity of holiness and purity in approaching God.

Biblical Basis

The instructions for the Day of Atonement are primarily found in Leviticus 16. The chapter details the specific duties of the high priest, including the requirement for multiple washings or purifications. Leviticus 16:4 states, "He shall put on the holy linen tunic, and the linen undergarments shall be next to his body, and he shall tie the linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are holy garments; so he shall bathe his body in water and put them on."

Ritual Washings

The high priest's purifications are a critical component of the Day of Atonement ceremonies. Before entering the Holy of Holies, the high priest must bathe his body in water, symbolizing the removal of impurity and the preparation for entering the presence of the Lord. This act of washing is repeated multiple times throughout the day, emphasizing the need for continual purification.

The high priest begins by washing and donning the sacred linen garments. After offering a bull for his own sin offering and a goat for the people's sin offering, he must again wash before changing into his regular garments. Leviticus 16:23-24 describes this process: "Then Aaron is to enter the Tent of Meeting, take off the linen garments he put on before entering the Holy Place, and leave them there. He shall bathe himself with water in a holy place and put on his regular garments."

Symbolism and Significance

The repeated washings of the high priest serve as a powerful symbol of the need for purity when approaching God. The physical act of washing represents an inner cleansing, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture. The high priest, as the mediator between God and the people, must be ritually pure to perform his duties effectively.

These purifications also prefigure the ultimate purification through Jesus Christ, the Great High Priest, who offers Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin. Hebrews 9:11-12 reflects on this fulfillment: "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 with hands, that is to say, 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."

Theological Implications

The purifications of the high priest on the Day of Atonement highlight the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin. They remind believers of the necessity of being cleansed from sin to stand in the presence of a holy God. The rituals underscore the concept of substitutionary atonement, where the high priest acts on behalf of the people, pointing to the ultimate atonement achieved through Christ.

In the New Testament, the concept of baptism as a form of purification is further developed, symbolizing the believer's identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The washings of the high priest thus serve as a precursor to the Christian understanding of baptism as an outward sign of inward grace and cleansing from sin.Leviticus 16:4,24
He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches on his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen turban shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

What is the Key of Solomon? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus