Definition: And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy [place] within the vail before the mercy seat, which [is] upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Leviticus 16:2. It's a really important and complex verse about how to purify animals sacrificed to God. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is about avoiding sin and maintaining a holy connection with God through ritual purity. Aaron, one of Moses’ closest brothers, is being told to prevent an animal from entering the sacred space within the Ark – which was essentially the ark itself – before it can be offered to God. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And the LORD said unto Moses…” : This establishes that this is a divine command, coming directly from God himself. “…Speak unto Aaron thy brother…” : This tells Aaron to speak to his brother, who is not allowed to enter the sacred space. “…that he come not at all times into the holy [place] within the vail…” : This is the core of the rule. “The holy place” refers to the innermost part of the Ark – a special space that was considered pure and untouched by human hands. Aaron has to prevent him from entering this area, even once. “…before the mercy seat, which [is] upon the ark…” : This is crucial. "The mercy seat" (often translated as “the veil” or “the horn”) is a golden barrier that God set up on the Ark. It was a reminder of God’s holiness and a way for Aaron to show his devotion. The verse says he must not enter this space before it. “…which [is] upon the ark…” : This reinforces the importance of the Ark as the central focus – a symbol of God's presence and holiness. What’s the point? God is telling Aaron to act as a guardian, protecting the sacred space from contamination. It’s about keeping things pure and ensuring that offerings are offered with reverence and a sense of holiness. It’s essentially a rule designed to avoid impurity and maintain God's presence. Why is this important? This verse highlights several key themes in Jewish tradition: The Importance of Holiness: It emphasizes the idea that humans aren’t perfect and must strive to be holy, similar to how God is holy. Divine Protection: It shows that God actively protects His sacred space from corruption. In short, this verse is a rule about maintaining purity and preventing sin within a sacred place – a powerful reminder of God's presence and our responsibility to honor Him. --- Do you want me to elaborate on any specific aspect of this verse, like its historical context or its significance in Jewish law? Or would you like a simpler explanation for a particular part?

Definition: And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy [place], and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Leviticus 16:20. It's a really important part of how God establishes a place for worship and holiness. Here’s what it means in simple terms: Basically, it’s about preparing a sacrifice – a special offering to show God’s reverence and commitment. Here’s a breakdown of each part: “And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy [place]…” - This is saying that after they’ve finished setting up everything related to worship, like the tabernacle (which was a portable shrine for God), they need to do something extra . "Reconciling" means making things whole and right again. “…and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar…” - This refers to two key things: The Tabernacle: A temporary structure built by Moses to house God’s presence among His people. It was a symbol of God’s home with his people. The Altar: A place where sacrifices were made to honor God. “He shall bring the live goat:” - This is the most important part. It means that at the end of this process, they need to offer a live goat as a sacrifice to show that they are truly dedicated to God and that their worship is serious and holy. So, what’s happening? It's a symbolic act – a final offering to demonstrate that Israel (and all believers) are completely devoted to God and ready to follow His instructions. It's a way of saying, "We’re committed to honoring you with our lives and our offerings." Why is this important in the Bible? This ritual was a crucial step in establishing the foundation for the Jewish people's covenant relationship with God. It emphasized that worship wasn't just about doing things, but about being focused on God and showing His holiness. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts further? Give you a historical context (how this ritual was practiced)? Connect it to other biblical stories?

Definition: And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send [him] away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Leviticus 16:21. It’s a really significant and somewhat complex verse that speaks about how God will handle the sacrificial animal offering. Here's an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a ritual sacrifice – specifically for a goat – where Aaron, one of the priests, would confess to God all the wrongdoings and sins committed by the Israelites. It’s a powerful act of repentance and acknowledging God's judgment. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat…” This is the core action. Aaron, as a high priest, is physically placing his hands on the head of the goat. It’s a symbolic gesture of acknowledging and accepting responsibility for the sins of the people. “…and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel…” This means Aaron is actively proclaiming to God what was wrong with the Israelites – their wickedness, their broken promises, their disobedience. "Iniquities" refers to things that are morally wrong or sinful. "...and all their transgressions in all their sins..." This is a broad statement acknowledging that the Israelites have committed many wrongs throughout their history. It's not just one big mistake, but a collection of many small and large offenses. “putting them upon the head of the goat…” This is where it gets symbolic. The sins are being placed on the goat’s head as a visual representation of these wrongs being acknowledged. "...and shall send [him] away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:” This is the crucial part. Aaron is told to send the goat – and therefore, his confession – into the wilderness. This signifies that this act is a final, serious trial and judgment for the Israelites. It's a way for God to show His displeasure with their behavior. Why was this done? The Old Testament describes this as part of a larger system of atonement - offering a sacrifice to cleanse the earth of sin. This ritual was a way for God to ensure that the sins of the Israelites were washed away, and they would be forgiven. In short: This verse is about acknowledging and accepting responsibility for the sins of the people through a symbolic act – placing his hands on the goat’s head – and ultimately sending it into the wilderness as a demonstration of God's judgment. --- Do you want me to explain any part of this in more detail, perhaps focusing on: The symbolism behind the act? Its importance within the larger context of the Old Testament? How this relates to other stories or teachings about atonement and repentance?

Definition: And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Leviticus 16:22. It's a pretty interesting and symbolic passage about holiness and separation. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that when a person acts in a way that shows God’s displeasure or impurity, they need to be isolated from the rest of the world – essentially, they need to go into a wilderness area. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities” : This is the key part. “Iniquities” means something that’s wrong or dirty, like sin, wickedness, or disobedience. The goat is symbolically representing a person – and its sins are represented by the things they do. “unto a land not inhabited” : The goat is being taken to a completely empty area - a wilderness. This isn't about actually going to the wilderness; it’s a metaphor for a place where there’s no human presence. It’s a symbolic separation from the normal, populated world. “and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness” : The goat is being released into this wilderness. This means the person is being allowed to be free from the influence of their own sinful nature and the expectations of society. What’s the point? This verse is a reminder that God demands holiness and separation. It's about recognizing when we are not worthy of God's presence and needing to distance ourselves from those who are flawed or unclean. It’s a way for God to keep us separate from temptation and sin, allowing us to grow in righteousness. In short: This verse describes a symbolic act – isolating oneself from the world to be cleansed and purified by God's grace. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific story or example?

Definition: And Aaron shall come into the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall put off the linen garments, which he put on when he went into the holy [place], and shall leave them there:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Leviticus 16:23. It's a really interesting and symbolic passage about how holiness is represented in the Tabernacle – essentially, a place where God is closer to us. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, Aaron is being instructed to remove himself from the sacred space of the Tabernacle. Let's unpack that: “And Aaron shall come into the tabernacle…” : This tells us Aaron is going to be inside a special building – the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was a portable house for God’s presence among His people in ancient Israel. “…and shall put off the linen garments…” : Aaron is taking off his usual clothes, like a robe or tunic. These were symbolic representations of his holiness and connection to God. "...which he put on when he went into the holy [place]…" : This is really important! “The holy place” refers to God’s dwelling place – a special area within the Tabernacle that was considered pure and untouched by human hands. “…and shall leave them there:” This means Aaron is leaving these garments in that sacred space. It's like taking something that symbolizes his connection to God out of the room. What’s the point? The verse is about showing that God is more present and holy when he’s within the Tabernacle than he is outside. It’s a way for God to emphasize His presence and protect Himself from impurity. It's a visual reminder of how sacred the space was, and how God wants to be near us. In short, it’s about separation – a symbolic act of removing himself from a place of holiness. Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail? Perhaps you'd like to know: Why was this ritual important in ancient times? What does this verse have to do with the idea of God’s presence in the world today?

Definition: And he shall wash his flesh with water in the holy place, and put on his garments, and come forth, and offer his burnt offering, and the burnt offering of the people, and make an atonement for himself, and for the people.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Leviticus 16:24. It's a really important passage about how the Israelites prepared to offer sacrifices to God. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it says: “When the High Priest went into the Holy of Holies (a very holy space) within the Temple, he had to wash himself with water and put on special garments. Then, he would present a burnt offering – a sacrifice – that was for the people and atoned for himself and the entire nation.” Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “He shall wash his flesh with water…” : This is a symbolic act. It means he was symbolically cleansing himself of any sins or impurity. It's like taking off a layer to show purity. “…in the holy place…” : The Holy of Holies is a very special, protected space within the Temple where God resided. It’s a place meant for worship and communion with God. “…and put on his garments…” : He wore specific robes that signified his status as a priest. “Come forth, and offer his burnt offering…” : This is the core of the verse. The High Priest had to enter this sacred space and present a burnt offering – a sacrifice made specifically for God’s benefit. “…and the burnt offering of the people…” : This was a sacrifice meant to make up for sins committed by all the Israelites. It was a way to show repentance and restoration. “and make an atonement for himself, and for the people.” : This is the most important part. The High Priest’s offering atoned – meaning it made things right – for his own sinfulness and for the sins of everyone in Israel. It was a way to bring peace and forgiveness back to God. Why is this important? This ritual was designed to remind the Israelites that they needed to be completely cleansed and reconciled with God, both individually and as a nation. It was a crucial part of their relationship with the divine. In short, it's a powerful image of how the Israelites were striving to keep their relationship with God strong by offering sacrifices – a constant reminder of their need for forgiveness and renewal. --- Would you like me to: Explain another part of Leviticus 16? Give you an analogy to help understand it better?

Definition: And the fat of the sin offering shall he burn upon the altar.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Leviticus 16:25. It’s a really important part of Jewish tradition and has some pretty significant meaning! Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it says that the fat from sacrificed animals – specifically the sin offering – is to be burned on an altar. Let’s unpack that a little further: “The fat…” : This refers to the fat rendered from animals sacrificed for atonement and purification. Think of it as a special, precious part of the animal that was offered to God. “…of the sin offering” : The "sin offering" is a ritual sacrifice given to God to atone for wrongdoing and to show repentance. It wasn't just any sacrifice; it was specifically designed to be a way of making things right with God after a mistake or offense. “Shall he burn upon the altar” : This is the key part! The fat was to be burned on an altar. Burning it meant that the offering would represent the sins of those who had been offered as sacrifices. It was a visible reminder of the sacrifice and repentance. Why did this practice happen? Historically, this ritual was a way for people to offer a tangible sign of their remorse and commitment to God. By burning the fat, they were symbolically saying, "I have done wrong, but I am sorry, and I will try to be better." Important Note: This practice is primarily associated with Jewish traditions and is now mostly observed in some Orthodox Jewish communities. It's not a universal practice in Christianity or other religions. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you more context about the history of this ritual? Talk about its significance within Judaism?

Definition: And he that let go the goat for the scapegoat shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward come into the camp.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Leviticus 16:26. It’s a pretty detailed instruction about how to cleanse and prepare animals sacrificed to God after the slaughter. Here's a simple explanation: Basically, it means: “After the goat is taken off, the animal sacrificial must be thoroughly cleaned and prepared before being brought into the camp.” Let's unpack that a little further: “And he that let go the goat…” – This refers to the process of releasing the goat from the altar. “…for the scapegoat” – This is a crucial part. The scapegoat is a vital role in this ritual. It’s someone who is specifically tasked with taking the goat's blood and offering it to God as atonement for the sins committed by the people. They are seen as a “cleaner” or “atoning” sacrifice. “Wash his clothes, bathe his flesh in water…” – This part describes the cleaning process. The animal is thoroughly washed and bathed before entering the camp. “…and afterward come into the camp.” – Finally, the goat must enter the camp with the other animals. It’s a final step to be present within the sacred space of the ritual. In simpler terms: It’s about making sure the sacrifice is clean and ready for God, signifying that the people are acknowledging their sins and seeking forgiveness through this act. Important Note: This passage is steeped in symbolism and was designed to highlight the seriousness of offering sacrifices to God as a way to atone for humanity's wrongdoings. --- Do you want me to explain any specific part of this verse in more detail, or perhaps connect it to a broader theme in the Bible? For example, we could talk about: The symbolism of the goat and its role in atonement. The importance of ritual cleansing in the Old Testament.

Definition: And the bullock [for] the sin offering, and the goat [for] the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the holy [place], shall [one] carry forth without the camp; and they shall burn in the fire their skins, and their flesh, and their dung.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Leviticus 16:27. It's a pretty detailed description of how animals were offered to God as a way to make up for sin. Here’s a simplified explanation: Essentially, it says that sacrifices involving bulls and goats were performed with a specific ritual. Let’s unpack each part: “Leviticus 16:27” : This is the verse itself – it's from a section of Jewish law. “And the bullock [for] the sin offering, and the goat [for] the sin offering…” : This means that both bulls and goats were specifically designated to be offered as “sin offerings.” It’s a way for people to show repentance and acknowledge their wrongdoings. “…whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the holy [place]” : This is the most important part. The idea is that these animals were offered to cleanse the earth of sin. The “holy place” refers to a specific area where God resided and where offerings were made. Blood, being a symbol of life and purity, was believed to have power to wash away wrongdoings. “shall [one] carry forth without the camp; and they shall burn in the fire their skins, their flesh, and their dung.” : This is the ritual part. The animals were taken outside of a designated area (the “camp”) and subjected to a series of harsh procedures: “carry forth” : They had to move around freely. “their skins” : The animals' hides were burned. “their flesh” : The entire animal was sacrificed, including the meat. “and their dung” : The animals’ waste was also burned. So, what’s the point of this ritual? It was a way for Jews to demonstrate that they were sorry for their sins and that they were committed to living righteously. The act of burning the animal symbolized washing away the impurity caused by sin. It was a visible sign of repentance and a commitment to follow God’s laws. Important Note: This ritual was extremely serious and performed only once every year during the Passover festival. --- Do you want me to explain any of these parts in more detail? For example, would you like me to: Explain the symbolism behind the blood? Talk about the purpose of this ritual within Jewish tradition?

Definition: And he that burneth them shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Leviticus 16:28. It's a pretty strange and symbolic verse, but it’s really about offering animals to God as a sacrifice. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes the process of purifying an animal sacrificed to God – specifically, a goat. It’s like saying “You need to clean this animal before you offer it to God.” Let’s unpack each part: “And he that burneth them” : This refers to burning the animal completely. It’s about removing any impurities or imperfections. “Wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water…” : The animal is being thoroughly cleaned – it's getting a really good wash. Think of it as a deep scrubbing. “…and afterward he shall come into the camp.” : This is the crucial part! After the cleaning, the goat must enter the sacred area of the camp (a designated space for sacrifices). It’s a symbolic act of entering God's presence and offering itself to him. What it means in a broader sense: This verse isn’t just about cleaning an animal. It’s a powerful metaphor for: Repentance & Cleansing: It emphasizes the need to cleanse ourselves – both physically and spiritually – before approaching God. Offering Sacrifice: It's a reminder that offering something to God (through sacrifice) is essential for maintaining a relationship with him. It’s about acknowledging our sins and seeking forgiveness. Entering God’s Presence: The goat entering the camp symbolizes entering into the divine realm, being made holy, and receiving blessings from God. In short, it's a ritual that represents a necessary cleansing and offering to show respect and devotion to God. Important Note: This is a very ancient and symbolic passage, and its meaning has been debated for centuries! It’s fascinating and complex, but hopefully, this explanation gives you a good understanding of what it signifies. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of Leviticus 16? Discuss the context of this verse in the larger story of Jewish law? Answer any specific questions you have about it?