Leviticus 16:29-34

THE SOLEMNITY OF THE DAY 16:29-34
TEXT 16:29-34

29

And it shall be a statute for ever unto you: in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and shall do no manner of work, the home-born, or the stranger that sojourneth among you:

30

for on this day shall atonement be made for you, to cleanse you; from all your sins shall ye be clean before Jehovah.

31

It is a sabbath of solemn rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls; it is a statute for ever.

32

And the priest, who shall be anointed and who shall be consecrated to be priest in his father's stead, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen garments, even the holy garments:

33

and he shall make atonement for the holy sanctuary; and he shall make atonement for the tent of meeting and for the altar; and he shall make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly.

34

And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make atonement for the children of Israel because of all their sins once in the year. And he did as Jehovah commanded Moses.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 16:29-34

364.

We learn here the day and month on which this day fell. To what month does it correspond on our calendar? What is meant by the expression afflict your souls?

365.

Does this text say the stranger or foreigner is to also observe the day of atonement?

366.

Why fast?

367.

It would seem so many ceremonies or acts were for the purpose of cleansing from sin. Why so many? (Cf. Hebrews 10:1-2; 1 John 1:7-9)

368.

Would the tenth day of the seventh month always be on Saturday? How then could it be a sabbath?

369.

What is included in the word forever or everlasting?

370.

Give in your own words the meaning of the 32nd verse.

371.

Specify just what was included in the atonement as in Leviticus 16:33.

372.

Do Jews still observe this day now? Discuss.

PARAPHRASE 16:29-34

This is a permanent law: You must do no work on the twenty-fifth day of September, but must spend the day in self-examination and humility. This applies whether you are born in the land or are a foreigner living among the people of Israel; for this is the day commemorating the atonement, cleansing you in the Lord's eyes from all of your sins. It is a Sabbath of solemn rest for you, and you shall spend the day in quiet humility; this is a permanent law. This ceremony in later generations, shall be performed by the anointed High Priest, consecrated in place of his ancestor Aaron; he shall be the one to put on the holy linen garments. And make atonement for the holy sanctuary, the Tabernacle, the altar, the priests, and the people. This shall be an everlasting law for you, to make atonement for the people of Israel once each year, because of their sins.

COMMENT 16:29-34

Leviticus 16:29-34 The law or the statute of eternity for the nation of Israel is that every tenth of October all of the meaning of this day is to be repeated again. Some feel Tishri corresponds to our September and not October. This seventh month is the month for important days: on the first day is the Feast of Trumpets (Cf. Leviticus 23:24); on the 10th, the Day of Atonement; on the 14th begins the Feast of Tabernacles which lasted two weeks.

The affliction of the soul or you shall afflict yourselves refers to fasting. This is very clear by comparing Leviticus 23:32 and Isaiah 58:3; Isaiah 58:5; Isaiah 58:10 and Psalms 35:13. This is the only public fast given in the Mosaic law although fasting for other reasons is discussed. From sundown on the 9th till sundown on the 10th no work was to be done and no food or drink was to be taken. This was done to cause the nation to enter into the spirit of the occasion and not to look upon the events as mere form. This day was to be considered as a sabbath regardless of which day of the week involved. This was a high sabbath i.e. an exceptional day of rest and worship. (Cf. Exodus 20:10; Exodus 12:49; Exodus 31:15) The presence of natives or foreigners was not to distractour friends must join us in God's service, but no politeness must lead us to leave God for them. To afflict (bow-humble) the soul, by restraining the earthly appetites, which have their seat in the soul, is the early Mosaic expression for fasting. (Cf. Judges 20:26; 1 Samuel 7:6; Psalms 35:13) By bowing his soul the Israelite was to place himself in an inward relation to the sacrifice, whose soul was given for his soul; and by this state of mind, answering to the outward proceedings of the day, he was to appropriate the fruit of it to himself, namely, the reconciliation of his soul, which passed through the animal's death. (Baumgarten)

This day would be perpetuated only when the son was consecrated in the place of the aging father. Successorship was made upon not only physical descent but also upon moral qualifications which were judged by the elders (i.e. according to tradition).

The return of every fresh year brought to Israel a fresh remembrance of their sins, for it was not possible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins (a direct reference to the Day of Atonement) (Hebrews 10:3-4). The high priesthood could not be continuous by reason of death, but the High Priest of our profession when He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God, having obtained eternal redemption for all who believe in Him, whether Jew or Gentile; and because He continueth ever hath an unchangeable priesthood, a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 10:28) (Newberry)

FACT QUESTIONS 16:29-34

378.

Upon what day of what month was the Day of Atonement to be observed?

379.

Name two other feasts in the seventh month.

380.

Why is fasting called afflicting the soul? Why was fasting commanded?

381.

In what sense was this day a sabbath?

382.

Show how Hebrews 10:3-4 relates to the Day of Atonement and to us.