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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Leviticus 16 Benson Commentary</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/commentaries/benson/leviticus/161.htm" /><link href='//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Cardo&subset=greek-ext' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css'><link rel="stylesheet" href="/5001com.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 4800px), only screen and (max-device-width: 4800px)" href="/4801.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1550px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1550px)" href="/1551.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1250px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1250px)" href="/1251.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1050px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1050px)" href="/1051.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 900px), only screen and (max-device-width: 900px)" href="/901.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 800px), only screen and (max-device-width: 800px)" href="/801.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 575px), only screen and (max-device-width: 575px)" href="/501.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-height: 450px), only screen and (max-device-height: 450px)" href="/h451.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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This chapter would naturally have followed the tenth, where the death of Aaron’s sons is related, if that event had not given occasion for declaring the forementioned laws about those uncleannesses that disqualified an Israelite for approaching the sanctuary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="2"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-2.htm">Leviticus 16:2</a></div><div class="verse">And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy <i>place</i> within the vail before the mercy seat, which <i>is</i> upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.</div><span class="bld"><a href="/leviticus/16-2.htm" title="And the LORD said to Moses, Speak to Aaron your brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the veil before the mercy seat, which is on the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud on the mercy seat.">Leviticus 16:2</a></span>. <span class="ital">That he come not at all times — </span>Not whensoever he pleaseth, but only when I shall appoint. Into the holy place without the veil, the high- priest, or one of the inferior priests, went every morning and evening when they offered incense but into this holy place within the veil, commonly called the <span class="ital">holy of holies, </span>or the <span class="ital">most holy </span>place, as none but the high-priest was to enter, so neither was he to enter it at all times, as a common place of worship, or to perform divine service there at his pleasure. He was ordinarily to enter it only once a year, and that on the great day of atonement, or expiation for the transgressions of the whole Israelitish nation. Upon extraordinary occasions, he might also enter it oftener, as when he was to consult the oracle of God, or when the tabernacle was to be taken down or set up, according to the journeyings of the people. <span class="ital">Lest he die — </span>For his presumption. <span class="ital">For I will appear in the cloud — </span>A bright and glorious cloud over the <span class="ital">mercy-seat. </span>This sacred apartment he was to look upon as the place of the special residence of the divine glory, and therefore was not to enter there but when appointed, and in such a manner as God directed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="3"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-3.htm">Leviticus 16:3</a></div><div class="verse">Thus shall Aaron come into the holy <i>place</i>: with a young bullock for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering.</div><span class="bld"><a href="/leviticus/16-3.htm" title="Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place: with a young bullock for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering.">Leviticus 16:3</a></span>. <span class="ital">Thus shall Aaron come — </span>Preparatory to his entering on this solemn service the high-priest was to offer two sacrifices in behalf of himself and his family. These were, 1st, A bullock for a sin-offering, (no other sacrifice being allowed for the sin of a high-priest,) in confession of his own infirmities and transgressions, and those of his family, and to put him in mind that he needed pardon himself, and was but an imperfect intercessor with God, <a href="/hebrews/7-27.htm" title="Who needs not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.">Hebrews 7:27</a>; <a href="/hebrews/9-7.htm" title="But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:">Hebrews 9:7</a>. 2d, A ram for a burnt- offering, in token of his dedicating himself wholly to God, with a promise of new obedience. See note on <a href="/leviticus/1-3.htm" title="If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD.">Leviticus 1:3</a>. <span class="ital">Aaron shall come into the holy place with the bullock — </span>That is, with the blood of it; for its body was to be offered upon the altar of burnt-offerings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="4"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-4.htm">Leviticus 16:4</a></div><div class="verse">He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these <i>are</i> holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and <i>so</i> put them on.</div><span class="bld"><a href="/leviticus/16-4.htm" title="He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches on his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen turban shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on.">Leviticus 16:4</a></span>. <span class="ital">He shall put on the holy linen coat — </span>Upon other days, when the high-priest officiated, he was bound to put on all the garments mentioned <a href="/exodus/28-4.htm" title="And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a turban, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, and his sons, that he may minister to me in the priest's office.">Exodus 28:4</a>, four of which were called <span class="ital">golden garments, </span>because there was a mixture of gold in them; but on this day he put on only the four linen garments here specified, which were common to him with the ordinary priests. The reason whereof was, that this was not a day of feasting and rejoicing, but of mourning and humiliation, at which times people were to lay aside their ornaments. At this solemn season the high- priest was to wear nothing but linen, and that probably not only in token of humiliation, but also because it is a more proper emblem of purity than woollen, as it is more easily cleansed, and washes whiter. <span class="ital">These are holy garments — </span>Peculiarly so; to be used only when he was in the exercise of this solemn part of his sacred office. <span class="ital">Therefore shall he wash his flesh in water — </span>Besides the washing of his hands and feet, as upon other days, at the beginning of the service, the high-priest was, on this day, to wash his whole body before he put on these holy garments, and entered on the solemn service of the day; which significant rite fitly betokened that peculiar holiness and purity which become all that approach God in his worship, and especially all that minister in holy things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="5"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-5.htm">Leviticus 16:5</a></div><div class="verse">And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.</div><A name="6"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-6.htm">Leviticus 16:6</a></div><div class="verse">And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which <i>is</i> for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house.</div><A name="7"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-7.htm">Leviticus 16:7</a></div><div class="verse">And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD <i>at</i> the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.</div><span class="bld"><a href="/leviticus/16-7.htm" title="And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.">Leviticus 16:7</a></span>. <span class="ital">He shall present them before the Lord — </span>The scape-goat was presented at the door of the tabernacle before the Lord, as well as the other goat, to signify that they were both consecrated to him; indeed they both made but one sin-offering, <a href="/leviticus/16-5.htm" title="And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.">Leviticus 16:5</a>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="8"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-8.htm">Leviticus 16:8</a></div><div class="verse">And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.</div><span class="bld"><a href="/leviticus/16-8.htm" title="And Aaron shall cast lots on the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.">Leviticus 16:8</a></span>. <span class="ital">One lot for the Lord — </span>To be sacrificed to him upon his altar. Both this and the other goat typified Christ; this in his death and passion for us, that in his resurrection for our deliverance. <span class="ital">The other lot for the scape-goat — </span>The Jewish doctors tell us that this goat, on which the sins of the nation were transferred, was loaded with all marks of reproach, and imprecations, and that the people prayed that all those evils which they thought due to themselves might fall upon it. Thus was Christ made a curse for us, while <span class="ital">on him was laid the iniquities of us all.</span><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="9"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-9.htm">Leviticus 16:9</a></div><div class="verse">And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD'S lot fell, and offer him <i>for</i> a sin offering.</div><A name="10"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-10.htm">Leviticus 16:10</a></div><div class="verse">But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, <i>and</i> to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.</div><span class="bld"><a href="/leviticus/16-10.htm" title="But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.">Leviticus 16:10</a></span>. <span class="ital">For a scape-goat — </span>This seems to be the most literal and obvious meaning of the original word <span class="greekheb">אזאזל</span>, <span class="ital">Azazel, </span>evidently derived from <span class="greekheb">עז</span>, <span class="ital">ez, </span>or <span class="ital">gnez, </span>a <span class="ital">goat, </span>and <span class="greekheb">אזל</span>, <span class="ital">azel, </span>to <span class="ital">go away. </span>In this sense the Seventy understand it, rendering the word <span class="greekheb">αποπομπαιος</span>, <span class="ital">sent away; </span>Aquila also, who translates it <span class="greekheb">απολελυμενον</span>, <span class="ital">dismissed; </span>and Symmachus, who renders it <span class="greekheb">απερχομενον</span>, <span class="ital">going away. </span>Nor does there appear to be any solid reason for thinking it was the name of a mountain, to which the goat was sent, much less that the angel of death, or the devil, was intended by the word, as some have said; for surely in that case it could be no type of Christ’s resurrection, as it is generally supposed to have been.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="11"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-11.htm">Leviticus 16:11</a></div><div class="verse">And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which <i>is</i> for himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock of the sin offering which <i>is</i> for himself:</div><span class="bld"><a href="/leviticus/16-11.htm" title="And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock of the sin offering which is for himself:">Leviticus 16:11</a></span>. <span class="ital">The bullock — </span>Mentioned in general, <a href="/leviticus/16-6.htm" title="And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house.">Leviticus 16:6</a>; the ceremonies respecting which are here particularly described. This was a very different sacrifice from that of the red heifer spoken of Numbers 19., as evidently appears upon comparing the two places. <span class="ital">He shall kill the bullock which is for himself — </span>Here we may clearly see, as the apostle to the Hebrews argues, the utter insufficiency of the Jewish dispensation to “make the comers thereunto perfect,” or to furnish those who were under it with every thing necessary for their complete justification and salvation. It <span class="ital">made nothing perfect, </span>because it made men priests that were sinful creatures like others, and had need to offer year after year for their own sins; for “there was a remembrance made again of sins every year.” But in Christ we have a very different high-priest and intercessor, <span class="ital">who is, </span>and when on earth was, <span class="ital">holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners, and higher than the heavens, who needeth not daily </span>(as the Jewish high-priests) <span class="ital">to offer up sacrifices first for his own sins and then for the people’s: for this he did; </span>he offered for the people’s sins, having none of his own to expiate, <span class="ital">once when he offered up himself. </span>For “the law made men priests which had infirmity, but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore, and is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="12"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-12.htm">Leviticus 16:12</a></div><div class="verse">And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring <i>it</i> within the vail:</div><A name="13"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-13.htm">Leviticus 16:13</a></div><div class="verse">And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that <i>is</i> upon the testimony, that he die not:</div><span class="bld"><a href="/leviticus/16-13.htm" title="And he shall put the incense on the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is on the testimony, that he die not:">Leviticus 16:13</a></span>. <span class="ital">He shall put the incense upon the fire — </span>The high-priest, having begun the solemn service with slaying the bullock, as a sin-offering of deprecation and atonement for himself and the other priests, lighted his incense-vessel, or censer, at the great altar of burnt-offering, and at his entrance into the <span class="ital">holy of holies, </span>threw the incense upon the burning coals, and so filled the place with a cloud of smoke, to prevent him from seeing the ark, and being struck with the glory issuing from between the cherubims, where the Shechinah or emblem of the divine presence resided: or, as others say, that he might not offend by too curiously gazing on the symbols of the divine glory. If we may believe the Jews, he entered sideways, as not daring to look directly on the glory of the place, and that, having filled the sanctuary with a cloud of smoke, he went out backward, having his face directed toward the mercy-seat, in reverence for the divine majesty, which was there represented.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="14"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-14.htm">Leviticus 16:14</a></div><div class="verse">And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle <i>it</i> with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times.</div><span class="bld"><a href="/leviticus/16-14.htm" title="And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times.">Leviticus 16:14</a></span>. <span class="ital">He shall take of the blood — </span>He went out of the holy place, and then entered it a second time. We must observe, that as the burning of the incense preceded the sprinkling of the blood, it was hereby signified that he was to be prepared for entering into the most holy place by prayer, and was to enter it in a spirit of prayer, which was figured by incense, and which the offering of incense accompanied, <a href="/context/revelation/8-3.htm" title="And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given to him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints on the golden altar which was before the throne....">Revelation 8:3-4</a>. A lively emblem this of the intercession of our great High-Priest, and the efficacy of his merits. <span class="ital">He shall sprinkle it upon the mercy-seat — </span>To teach us, that God is merciful to sinners only through and for the blood of Christ. With his face eastward, or upon the eastern part, toward the people, who were in the court which lay eastward from the holy of holies, which was the most western part of the tabernacle. This signified that the high-priest in this act represented the people, and that God accepted it on their behalf; <span class="ital">before the mercy-seat — </span>On the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="15"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-15.htm">Leviticus 16:15</a></div><div class="verse">Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that <i>is</i> for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat:</div><span class="bld"><a href="/leviticus/16-15.htm" title="Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the veil, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat:">Leviticus 16:15</a></span>. <span class="ital">Then shall he kill the goat — </span>He went out of the holy of holies and killed it, and then returned thither again with its blood. And whereas the high-priest is said to be allowed to enter into that place but <span class="ital">once in a year, </span>that is to be understood of one day in a year, but there was occasion of going in and coming out more than once upon that day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="16"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-16.htm">Leviticus 16:16</a></div><div class="verse">And he shall make an atonement for the holy <i>place</i>, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness.</div><span class="bld"><a href="/leviticus/16-16.htm" title="And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remains among them in the middle of their uncleanness.">Leviticus 16:16</a></span>. <span class="ital">Because of the uncleanness of Israel </span>— For though the people did not enter into that place, yet their sins entered thither, and would have hindered the effects of the high-priest’s mediation on their behalf, if God had not been reconciled to them. <span class="ital">In the midst of their uncleanness — </span>In the midst of a sinful people, who defile not themselves only, but also God’s sanctuary. And God hereby showed them how much their hearts needed to be purified, when even the tabernacle, only by standing in the midst of them, needed this expiation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="17"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-17.htm">Leviticus 16:17</a></div><div class="verse">And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy <i>place</i>, until he come out, and have made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel.</div><span class="bld"><a href="/leviticus/16-17.htm" title="And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goes in to make an atonement in the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel.">Leviticus 16:17</a></span>. <span class="ital">There shall be no man in the tabernacle — </span>In the holy place, where the priests and Levites were at other times. This was commanded for the greater reverence to the divine majesty, then in a more special manner appearing, and that none of them might cast an eye into the holy of holies, as the high-priest went in or came out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="18"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-18.htm">Leviticus 16:18</a></div><div class="verse">And he shall go out unto the altar that <i>is</i> before the LORD, and make an atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put <i>it</i> upon the horns of the altar round about.</div><span class="bld"><a href="/leviticus/16-18.htm" title="And he shall go out to the altar that is before the LORD, and make an atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put it on the horns of the altar round about.">Leviticus 16:18</a></span>. <span class="ital">The altar before the Lord </span>— That is, the altar of incense, where the blood of sacrifices was to be put, particularly the blood of the sin- offerings offered upon this day of atonement, and which is most properly said to be <span class="ital">before the Lord; </span>that is, before the place where God in a special manner dwelt. His <span class="ital">going out </span>relates to the holy of holies, into which he was said to <span class="ital">go in, </span><a href="/leviticus/16-17.htm" title="And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goes in to make an atonement in the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel.">Leviticus 16:17</a>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="19"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-19.htm">Leviticus 16:19</a></div><div class="verse">And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.</div><span class="bld"><a href="/leviticus/16-19.htm" title="And he shall sprinkle of the blood on it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.">Leviticus 16:19</a></span>. <span class="ital">Seven times — </span>To signify its perfect cleansing (seven being a number of perfection) and our perfect reconciliation by the blood of Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="20"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-20.htm">Leviticus 16:20</a></div><div class="verse">And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy <i>place</i>, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat:</div><A name="21"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-21.htm">Leviticus 16:21</a></div><div class="verse">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 <i>him</i> away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:</div><span class="bld"><a href="/leviticus/16-21.htm" title="And Aaron shall lay both his hands on 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 on the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:">Leviticus 16:21</a></span>. <span class="ital">All the iniquities — </span>He mentions <span class="ital">iniquities, transgressions, </span>and <span class="ital">sins, </span>to denote sins of all sorts, and that a free and full confession was to be made, and that the smallest sins needed, and the greatest sins were not excluded from, the benefit of Christ’s death here represented. <span class="ital">On the head — </span>Charging all their sins and the punishment due to them upon the goat, which, though only a ceremony, yet being done according to God’s appointment, and manifestly pointing at Christ, upon whom their iniquities and punishments were laid, (<a href="/context/isaiah/53-5.htm" title="But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was on him; and with his stripes we are healed....">Isaiah 53:5-6</a>,) it was available for this end. And hence the heathens took their custom of selecting one beast or man, upon whom they laid all their imprecations and curses, and whom they killed as an expiatory sacrifice for their sins, and to prevent their ruin. <span class="ital">A fit man </span>— Hebrew, <span class="ital">a man of time, </span>that is, of years and discretion, who might be trusted with this work. <span class="ital">Into the wilderness — </span>Which signified the removal of their sins far away both from the people, and out of God’s sight. And here the goat being neglected by all men, and exposed to many hazards from wild beasts, which were numerous there, might further signify Christ’s being forsaken both by God and by men, even by his own disciples, and the many dangers and sufferings he underwent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="22"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-22.htm">Leviticus 16:22</a></div><div class="verse">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.</div><span class="bld"><a href="/leviticus/16-22.htm" title="And the goat shall bear on him all their iniquities to a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.">Leviticus 16:22</a></span>. <span class="ital">Unto a land not inhabited — </span><span class="greekheb">ארצ גזרה</span><span class="ital">erets gezra, </span>a land <span class="ital">cut off separated, remote </span>from intercourse with men. The Seventy render it <span class="greekheb">αβατον</span>, <span class="ital">untrod, unpassable, </span>a land through which none travelled. The sending away into this desert land the goat, over which the sins of the people had been humbly and penitently confessed, and to which they were figuratively transferred, was certainly a fine and most expressive emblem that, on condition of the repentance of mankind, and their faith in him who was represented by this goat, and was in due time to take away the sins of the world, God would remember their sins and iniquities no more.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="23"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-23.htm">Leviticus 16:23</a></div><div class="verse">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 <i>place</i>, and shall leave them there:</div><span class="bld"><a href="/leviticus/16-23.htm" title="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:">Leviticus 16:23</a></span>. <span class="ital">He shall put off the linen garments — </span>Having finished the solemn expiatory and deprecatory offering, he was to put off those garments which were appropriated to this service, and to leave them there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span>And Maimonides and others say they were never to be used more, either by him or any one else, and that new ones were prepared every year.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="24"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-24.htm">Leviticus 16:24</a></div><div class="verse">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.</div><span class="bld"><a href="/leviticus/16-24.htm" title="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.">Leviticus 16:24</a></span>. <span class="ital">He shall wash in the holy place — </span>That is, in the court of the tabernacle, where stood the altar of burnt-offering, and the sacred laver. Here he was to wash or sprinkle his whole body, that he might purify himself after he had touched the goat which bare their iniquities, just as the man that carried him into the wilderness was to wash afterward. This ceremony signified that the creature was made so polluted and abominable by being a substitute for sinners, that none could touch it without contracting some pollution. <span class="ital">And put on his garments — </span>The garments peculiar to his office, wherein he officiated on other days. And this change of his garments was not without cause. For the common priestly garments were more proper for him in the former part of his ministration, because then he was to appear before the Lord in the most holy place, to humble himself, and make atonement for his own and for the people’s sins, and therefore his meanest attire was most fit. And the high-priestly garments were most proper for the latter part of his work, which was of another nature.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="25"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-25.htm">Leviticus 16:25</a></div><div class="verse">And the fat of the sin offering shall he burn upon the altar.</div><A name="26"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-26.htm">Leviticus 16:26</a></div><div class="verse">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.</div><A name="27"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-27.htm">Leviticus 16:27</a></div><div class="verse">And the bullock <i>for</i> the sin offering, and the goat <i>for</i> the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the holy <i>place</i>, shall <i>one</i> carry forth without the camp; and they shall burn in the fire their skins, and their flesh, and their dung.</div><A name="28"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-28.htm">Leviticus 16:28</a></div><div class="verse">And he that burneth them shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp.</div><A name="29"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-29.htm">Leviticus 16:29</a></div><div class="verse">And <i>this</i> shall be a statute for ever unto you: <i>that</i> in the seventh month, on the tenth <i>day</i> of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, <i>whether it be</i> one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you:</div><span class="bld"><a href="/leviticus/16-29.htm" title="And this shall be a statute for ever to you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojournes among you:">Leviticus 16:29</a></span>. <span class="ital">The seventh month — </span>Answering part to our September and part to our October; when they had gathered in all their fruits, and were most at leisure for God’s service. This time God chose for this and other feasts, herein graciously condescending to men’s necessities and conveniences. This fast began in the evening of the ninth day, and continued till the evening of the tenth. <span class="ital">Your souls </span>— Yourselves, both your bodies, by abstinence from food and other delights; and your minds, by grief for former sins, which, though bitter, yet is voluntary in all true penitents, who are therefore here said to afflict themselves, or to be active in the work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="30"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-30.htm">Leviticus 16:30</a></div><div class="verse">For on that day shall <i>the priest</i> make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, <i>that</i> ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD.</div><A name="31"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-31.htm">Leviticus 16:31</a></div><div class="verse">It <i>shall be</i> a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever.</div><span class="bld"><a href="/leviticus/16-31.htm" title="It shall be a sabbath of rest to you, and you shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever.">Leviticus 16:31</a></span>. <span class="ital">A sabbath — </span>Observed as a sabbath day, by cessation from all servile works, and in diligent attendance upon God’s worship.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="32"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-32.htm">Leviticus 16:32</a></div><div class="verse">And the priest, whom he shall anoint, and whom he shall consecrate to minister in the priest's office in his father's stead, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen clothes, <i>even</i> the holy garments:</div><span class="bld"><a href="/leviticus/16-32.htm" title="And the priest, whom he shall anoint, and whom he shall consecrate to minister in the priest's office in his father's stead, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen clothes, even the holy garments:">Leviticus 16:32</a></span>. <span class="ital">The priest whom he shall anoint, and whom he shall consecrate — </span>This ought to be translated, <span class="ital">who shall be anointed, </span>and <span class="ital">who shall be consecrated, </span>as the Vulgate hath it. For an active verb without a person is frequently in Scripture to be taken passively; the well observing whereof will tend to the removing of many difficulties. For example; those words of Isaiah, quoted <a href="/context/john/12-39.htm" title="Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,...">John 12:39-40</a>, <span class="ital">He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts, </span>import merely, <span class="ital">Their eyes </span>w<span class="ital">ere blinded, and their hearts hardened, </span>as it is expressed <a href="/acts/28-27.htm" title="For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.">Acts 28:27</a>, and <a href="/context/matthew/13-14.htm" title="And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which said, By hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and shall not perceive:...">Matthew 13:14-15</a>, compared with <a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm" title="And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear you indeed, but understand not; and see you indeed, but perceive not.">Isaiah 6:9</a>. So, <span class="ital">he hardened Pharaoh’s heart, </span>is equivalent to, <span class="ital">his heart was hardened, </span><a href="/exodus/7-22.htm" title="And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, neither did he listen to them; as the LORD had said.">Exodus 7:22</a>. So, <span class="ital">he moved David, </span><a href="/2_samuel/24-1.htm" title="And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.">2 Samuel 24:1</a>, ought to be translated, <span class="ital">David was moved, </span>namely, by his own evil heart, or Satan’s instigation, <a href="/1_chronicles/21-1.htm" title="And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.">1 Chronicles 21:1</a>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><A name="33"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-33.htm">Leviticus 16:33</a></div><div class="verse">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.</div><A name="34"></a> <div class="versenum"><a href="/leviticus/16-34.htm">Leviticus 16:34</a></div><div class="verse">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.</div><span class="bld"><a href="/leviticus/16-34.htm" title="And this shall be an everlasting statute to 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.">Leviticus 16:34</a></span>. <span class="ital">This shall be an everlasting statute — </span>By which were typified the two great gospel privileges; remission of sins and access to God, both which we owe to the mediation of the Lord Jesus. He shall <span class="ital">make an atonement — for all their sins — </span>Meaning all such sins as could be expiated by the law, which were, <span class="greekheb">τα αγνοηματα</span>, the <span class="ital">errors, </span>or sins of <span class="ital">ignorance </span>of the people, as the apostle expresses it <a href="/hebrews/9-6.htm" title="Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.">Hebrews 9:6</a>, where he speaks of the atonement made on this day. “To this sort of offences alone,” as Dr. Doddridge justly observes on the verse just referred to, “and not to those presumptuously committed, the efficacy of the atonement extended.” And even to justification from these, as the Hebrew doctors justly observe, all these rites of expiation, however solemnly performed, availed nothing in the sight of God, without repentance, and sincere resolutions of new obedience. Now, the two great gospel duties of repentance and faith are hereby typified; by which we obtain an interest in the atonement made by the death of Christ, and come to be entitled to the benefit of it. By <span class="ital">repentance </span>we must afflict our souls — inwardly sorrowing for our sins, and living a life of self-denial and mortification. And we must make a penitent confession of sin, and that with an eye to Christ <span class="ital">whom we have pierced. </span>By <span class="ital">faith </span>we must put our hands on the head of the offering, relying on Christ as <span class="ital">the Lord our righteousness; </span>pleading his satisfaction, as that which was alone able to atone for our sins, and procure us a pardon, and with a hand of faith on his sacrifice, must assure ourselves that, <span class="ital">if we confess </span>and forsake <span class="ital">our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. </span>We may observe further here, that in the year of jubilee, the trumpet which proclaimed liberty was ordered to be sounded in the close of the day of atonement, <a href="/leviticus/25-9.htm" title="Then shall you cause the trumpet of the jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall you make the trumpet sound throughout all your land.">Leviticus 25:9</a>. For the remission of the debt we owe to God, our release from the bondage of sin, and our return to our inheritance above, are all owing to the mediation and intercession of Jesus Christ. By the atonement we obtain rest for our souls, and all the glorious <span class="ital">liberties of the children of God.</span><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">Benson Commentary on the Old and New Testaments<br /><br />Text Courtesy of <a href="//biblesupport.com" target="_top">BibleSupport.com</a>. 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