Leviticus 16:16and he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions, even all their sins; and so he shall do for the Tent of Meeting, that dwells with them in the midst of their uncleanness.
The setting
Mount Sinai, ~1445 BC. Moses receives the most sacred ritual instructions. Modern Israel/Egypt border region.
The emotion here: reverent awe recording the holiest instructions ever given
The original word
kipper (כִּפֵּר) — to cover over, atone, literally 'to wipe away'
Why it matters
The High Priest could only enter the Holy of Holies once per year on this day
Read with care
What most readers miss in Leviticus 16:16
This covered ALL sins — even unknown ones the people had committed
Common misconceptionPeople think this was about individual forgiveness, but it cleansed the entire sanctuary that had been contaminated by a year's worth of the nation's sins.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Leviticus 16:16
Bible Genome reading
Leviticus 16:16 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Leviticus 16:16 comes from the book of Leviticus, written during the exodus period. These words are attributed to God. The dominant emotion in this verse is seeking, with a comfort power of 80% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the teaching genre of biblical literature. Key themes include purification, corporate sin. Notable phrases: make atonement; uncleanness; transgressions. This verse contains a command.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same seeking
“Pray without ceasing.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:17
“But let justice roll on like rivers, and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
— Amos 5:24
“Be it far from you to do things like that, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be like the wicked. May that …”
— Genesis 18:25
“Call to me, and I will answer you, and will show you great things, and difficult, which you don't know.”
— Jeremiah 33:3
“Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evi…”
— Luke 11:4
Your reflection
What does Leviticus 16:16 mean to you, today?
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