Meaning of Leviticus 16:15

This verse, Leviticus 16:15, describes a crucial step in the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) ritual, specifically the high priest's action with the blood of the goat designated as a sin offering for the people. Following the sacrifice of the bull for his own sins and those of his household, the high priest now turns his attention to the sins of the entire Israelite community. The blood of this goat, like that of the bull, is to be brought into the Most Holy Place, behind the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Ark of the Covenant. This act of sprinkling the blood on and before the atonement cover (the kapporet, often translated as mercy seat) is the central propitiatory action, symbolically cleansing the sanctuary and, by extension, the people from their sins.

Context and Background

Leviticus 16 outlines the elaborate annual ceremony conducted by the high priest to atone for the sins of Israel, ensuring God's continued presence among them and averting His wrath. This day was the most sacred in the Israelite calendar, a time of solemn repentance and purification. The entire chapter details a precise, divinely ordained procedure designed to address the pervasive sinfulness of the people and maintain their covenant relationship with God. The sacrifice of two animals—a bull for the priests and a goat for the people—underscores the comprehensive nature of atonement required.

Key Themes and Messages

The primary themes are atonement, purification, and mediatorship. The shedding and sprinkling of blood are central to the concept of atonement, signifying the expiation of sin through a divinely appointed sacrifice. The blood's application to the atonement cover highlights its role as the interface between God's holiness and human sinfulness. The high priest acts as the sole mediator, performing this sacred duty on behalf of all the people, emphasizing the need for a consecrated intermediary to approach a holy God.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, this verse points to the profound need for sin to be dealt with before a holy God. The blood of the goat, as a substitute for the sinner, represents the covering and removal of sin. It underscores that access to God is not through inherent merit but through sacrifice and divine provision. For believers, this ritual foreshadows the ultimate atonement provided by Jesus Christ. The sprinkling of blood behind the veil signifies the tearing of the temple curtain at Christ's death, opening a new and living way into God's presence for all who believe.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This passage is a foundational element in understanding the biblical concept of atonement. It establishes a precedent for sacrificial atonement that is fulfilled in the New Testament. The Levitical system, with its meticulous rituals, serves as a shadow and type of the redemptive work of Christ. The high priest's actions anticipate Jesus, the High Priest of the new covenant, who offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin, entering the heavenly sanctuary to intercede for us.

Analogies

One analogy for the blood sprinkling can be seen in a court of law where a fine is paid to satisfy a judgment. The blood acts as the payment, satisfying the demands of divine justice for sin. Another analogy is that of sanitation workers meticulously cleaning a public space to make it safe and habitable; the blood cleanses the sanctuary, making it a place where God can dwell among His people without being repulsed by their sin.

Relation to Other Verses

This verse is deeply connected to other passages concerning sacrifice and atonement.

• Exodus 25:17-22: Describes the atonement cover itself and God's promise to meet with Israel there, highlighting its sacred significance.
• Hebrews 9:7, 11-14, 22: Explicitly draws parallels between the Levitical high priest's work and Christ's ministry, emphasizing that Christ's blood purifies not just earthly sanctuaries but the heavenly ones, and is far superior to the blood of goats and bulls.
• 1 John 2:2: States that Jesus is "the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world," directly fulfilling the sacrificial purpose foreshadowed in Leviticus.
• Romans 3:25: Mentions God presenting Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.