Definition: And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that [is] upon the testimony, that he die not:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Leviticus 16:13. It’s a really interesting and somewhat symbolic passage about offering sacrifices in the Old Testament. Here's an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a special ritual where the priest would place incense on a fire, creating a barrier to protect God’s mercy (his loving compassion) from being exposed. It’s a way of showing humility and acknowledging that even though God is powerful, He needs protection and reassurance. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And he shall put the incense upon the fire…” – This means the priest would add a special offering – incense – to a fire. Incense was used in ancient times to purify space and create a sacred atmosphere. It’s like a fragrant offering that signifies something important. “…before the LORD…” - This is crucial! "The Lord" refers to God, the supreme being of the Jewish people. It's about presenting this offering to God . “That the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat…” – This is the key part. “Mercy Seat” is a metaphorical word that represents God’s goodness, compassion, and forgiveness. It’s what He offers to those who repent (turn away from sin). The "cloud" is like a protective barrier, shielding this area of offering from being seen or exposed. “…that he die not:” – This is the most important part! It means that the priest was promising to not die if the offering was offered correctly. It was a pledge of obedience and a sign of faith. Why did this ritual happen? The purpose of this ritual was to show that the people were willing to offer what they had – even though it wasn't perfect, they were willing to give something precious – as a sign of their devotion to God and their commitment to keeping His laws. It’s about acknowledging that imperfections are okay, but the desire to please God is paramount. In short: This verse describes a ritual where a priest would create a protective barrier around the offering to remind God that even though they might make mistakes, they still needed His protection and mercy. --- Do you want me to explain any of these parts in more detail? For example, would you like me to: Explain the historical context (when was this ritual practiced)? Discuss the symbolism behind the incense? Connect it to a larger theme in the Old Testament (like obedience and faith)?