Definition: And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation, and for the altar, and he shall make an atonement for the priests, and for all the people of the congregation.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Leviticus 16:33. It’s a really important and complex idea about how holiness is maintained in worship. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it says that there needs to be a special “atonement” – a forgiveness – for everything related to the sacred space of worship. Let's unpack each part: “Leviticus 16:33” : This is the verse itself. It’s from a section of Jewish law that describes how the priests and people worshipped in the Tabernacle (a portable temple built by Moses) had to make a special offering or atonement. “And he shall make an atonement for…” : This is the key phrase. “Atonement” means forgiveness or making right something that's broken or wrong. It’s about restoring something to its original state of purity and holiness. “…the holy sanctuary…” : This refers specifically to the Tabernacle – a place where God lived among his people. It was a physical space dedicated to worship, and it had to be kept clean and pure. “…for the tabernacle of the congregation…” : This means all the people who worshipped in the Tabernacle – all the Israelites – needed a cleansing and forgiveness. "...and for the altar…” : This refers to the altar, which was used to offer sacrifices. It had to be clean as well. "...and he shall make an atonement for the priests...” : The priests were responsible for performing these sacrifices – offering gifts to God. They needed to be purified. "...and for all the people of the congregation.” : This is the broadest part - everyone who worshipped in the Tabernacle had to go through this process. So, what's the big deal? This verse highlights that worship isn’t just about what you say or how you perform it. It's also about how you approach it – with a deep sense of holiness and purification. It emphasizes that God wants his people to be clean and righteous before approaching him. In essence, it’s a reminder that the act of worship itself has a spiritual significance and must be done in a way that restores something to its original state of purity. --- Important Note: This is a complex passage with historical and theological context. If you'd like me to explain any part of this verse further or provide more background, just let me know!