Definition: And the LORD spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered before the LORD, and died;
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from Leviticus 16:1. It’s a really interesting and somewhat unusual part of the Old Testament! Here's what it means in simple terms: Basically, this verse describes a ritual sacrifice performed to cleanse a dirty idol. Here's a breakdown of what's happening: "The LORD spake unto Moses..." : This means God directly addressed Moses. It’s a serious moment with divine authority. "...after the death of the two sons of Aaron..." : This tells us this happened after Aaron, who was a high priest, died. It's important to understand that Aaron is considered a very holy and important figure in the Old Testament. "...when they offered before the LORD, and died" : This is the key part. The two sons of Aaron were tasked with offering a sacrifice to God – a special ritual meal – but they tragically died while doing it. What does this mean practically? This event was a massive deal for God because: It symbolized a deep spiritual problem: Aaron’s death marked a significant turning point in the relationship between God and his people. It showed that even those who were considered holy and important could fall short of God's standards. It was a way to cleanse the temple: The ritual sacrifice was meant to wash away the impurity and sin associated with Aaron's death, and by extension, represent all of humanity's sins. Why is this verse significant? This story has a few important lessons: Accountability: It highlights the importance of accountability – we are responsible for our actions and choices. God’s Watchful Eye: It shows that God is constantly watching over his people, and even those who are revered can be vulnerable to falling short. In a nutshell, this verse tells us that a tragic event involving Aaron's death was a crucial step in establishing the ritual of sacrifice as a way for God to cleanse humanity of sin. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of Leviticus? Talk about the symbolism behind the sacrifice? Give you a more detailed explanation of why this story is important in biblical history?