Leviticus 16 Summary

Following the death of Aaron's two sons, the LORD instructs Moses to give Aaron precise regulations for entering the Most Holy Place, warning that he may not approach at will lest he die. On the appointed day, Aaron must first bathe and dress in plain linen garments, then offer a bull as a sin offering for himself and his household, burning incense before the mercy seat so that its cloud shields him as he sprinkles blood there seven times. He then takes two goats chosen by lot from the congregation — one is slaughtered as a sin offering and its blood is brought within the veil to make atonement for the holy place, the tabernacle, and the altar; the other, the live "scapegoat," has all the iniquities of Israel confessed over it before being sent away into the wilderness by a designated man. The LORD establishes this entire ceremony as a permanent annual statute on the tenth day of the seventh month — a sabbath of rest and soul-affliction — during which the high priest makes atonement for the sanctuary, the tabernacle, the altar, the priests, and all the people of Israel.