Definition: And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the LORD commanded Moses.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Leviticus 16:34. It’s a really important passage about how God wants to offer forgiveness and make things right with his people after a time of trouble. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it says: “God is setting up a yearly ritual – a special day – where he will allow the Israelites to confess their sins and ask for forgiveness. It’s a promise that this will happen again and again.” Let’s unpack it a little more: “And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you…” This is a fancy way of saying “this will always be true.” It means the law (the rules and guidelines given to people) about making amends for sins will continue to exist. It's not just a one-time thing; it’s a continuous process. “…to make an atonement for the children of Israel…” "Atonement" means to make things right or to bring something back into balance. God wants to undo the bad things that happened to his people – things like broken promises, wrong actions, and mistakes. “once a year.” This is crucial. It’s not just once; it's every single year . This annual ritual is meant to be a regular opportunity for repentance and seeking forgiveness. “And he did as the LORD commanded Moses.” This tells us that God specifically asked Moses to lead this ritual. Moses was chosen to carry out these instructions, making it a significant event in Jewish history. So, what's the point of all this? It shows that God is concerned about his people and wants to be near them. It’s a way for God to show his love and forgiveness through a yearly reminder of how important it is to turn away from sin and seek him. In short, it’s a regular reminder that God cares about his people and offers forgiveness every year. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part in more detail? Give an example of what this ritual might involve? Talk about its significance for Jewish tradition?