1._And the Lord spake unto Moses. _A copious description is here given of what we have recently adverted to cursorily, as it were, _i.e., _the solemn atonement which was yearly made in the seventh month; for when Moses was instructing them as to what sacrifices were to be offered on each of the fest... [ Continue Reading ]
2._Speak unto Aaron. _The sum of the law is, that the priest should not frequently enter the inner sanctuary, but only once a year, _i.e., _on the feast of the atonement, in the month of September. The cause of this was, lest a more frequent entrance of it should produce indifference; for if he had... [ Continue Reading ]
3._Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place. _The rites and formality are now described; first, that Aaron should put on the holy garments, and wash his person; secondly, that he should offer a bullock and ram for a burnt-offering; thirdly, that he should take two goats from the people, one of whic... [ Continue Reading ]
7._And he shall take the two goats. _A twofold mode of expiation is here presented to us; for one of the two goats was offered in sacrifice according to the provisions of the Law, the other was sent away to be an outcast, or offscouring ( κάθαρμα _vel _ περίψημα (242)) The fulfillment of both figure... [ Continue Reading ]
12._And he shall take a censer full. _Before he takes the blood into the sanctuary, (the priest) is commanded to offer incense. There was, as we have seen, an altar of incense, on which the priest burnt it, but without the veil; but now he is ordered to go within the veil, to make (246) an incense-o... [ Continue Reading ]
16._And he shall make an atonement for the holy place. _The cleansing of the sanctuary might seem absurd, as if it were in man’s power to pollute what God Himself had consecrated; for we know that God remains true, although all’ the world be unholy, and consequently that whatever God has appointed c... [ Continue Reading ]
17._And there shall be no man. _The driving away of all men from approaching the tabernacle during the act of atonement is a sort of punishment by temporary banishment, that they may perceive themselves to be driven from God’s face, whilst the place is purified which had been defiled by their sins.... [ Continue Reading ]
20._And when he hath made an end of reconciling. _The mode of expiation with the other goat is now more clearly explained, viz., that it should be placed before God, and that the priest should lay his hands on its head, and confess the sins of the people, so that he may throw the curse on the goat i... [ Continue Reading ]
26._And he that let the goat go. _Since this goat was the outcast ( κάθαπμα) of God’s wrath, and devoted to His curse, he who led it away is commanded to wash his person and his clothes, as if he were a partaker in its defilement. By this symbol the faithful were reminded how very detestable is thei... [ Continue Reading ]
29._And this shall be a statute for ever. _This day of public atonement is now finally mentioned in express terms, and the affliction of souls, of which fuller notice is taken in chap. 23, is touched upon, that they may more diligently exercise themselves in more serious penitential meditations, nor... [ Continue Reading ]