Definition: And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it [is] most holy unto the LORD.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Exodus 30:10. It’s a really important passage about how God wants to keep a special record of the Israelites and their relationship with him. Here's a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: God is saying that He wants to regularly offer a kind of “atonement” – a way to make things right – to the people he’s chosen, specifically to the Israelites. This isn’t just a one-time thing; it's a continuing process. Let’s break down each part: “And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year…” - This refers to Aaron, who was God’s appointed leader and intermediary between God and the Israelites. He’s going to be responsible for offering this “atonement.” “…with the blood of the sin offering of atonements:” – This is key! "Sin offering" means a sacrifice offered to make up for a wrong or transgression. God wants to acknowledge and correct any mistakes made by the Israelites. “once in a year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations:” - This means this “atonement” will happen every single year . It's a yearly commitment. “it [is] most holy unto the LORD.” – This is the most important part! "Most holy" means that God sees this offering as incredibly special and pure, and it’s dedicated to him. It shows how much he values the relationship with them. Putting it all together: God wants to keep a record of his people – especially the Israelites – by regularly offering a sacrifice to make up for any wrongdoings they might commit. This is a symbol of God's justice and his desire for a strong, unbroken covenant (agreement) between him and them. It’s a promise that he will always be watching over and protecting them. Why is this important? This verse illustrates God’s unwavering love and holiness towards his people. It shows that he wants to maintain a continuous relationship with them, offering forgiveness and making things right through his constant presence and judgment. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the verse in more detail? Connect this passage to a particular event or story in the Bible? Discuss the symbolism behind this act of atonement?