Leviticus 16:16
New International Version
In this way he will make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the uncleanness and rebellion of the Israelites, whatever their sins have been. He is to do the same for the tent of meeting, which is among them in the midst of their uncleanness.

New Living Translation
Through this process, he will purify the Most Holy Place, and he will do the same for the entire Tabernacle, because of the defiling sin and rebellion of the Israelites.

English Standard Version
Thus he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleannesses of the people of Israel and because of their transgressions, all their sins. And so he shall do for the tent of meeting, which dwells with them in the midst of their uncleannesses.

Berean Standard Bible
So he shall make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the impurities and rebellious acts of the Israelites in regard to all their sins. He is to do the same for the Tent of Meeting which abides among them in the midst of their impurities.

King James Bible
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 remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness.

New King James Version
So he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions, for all their sins; and so he shall do for the tabernacle of meeting which remains among them in the midst of their uncleanness.

New American Standard Bible
He shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the impurities of the sons of Israel and because of their unlawful acts regarding all their sins; and he shall do so for the tent of meeting which remains with them in the midst of their impurities.

NASB 1995
“He shall make atonement for the holy place, because of the impurities of the sons of Israel and because of their transgressions in regard to all their sins; and thus he shall do for the tent of meeting which abides with them in the midst of their impurities.

NASB 1977
“And he shall make atonement for the holy place, because of the impurities of the sons of Israel, and because of their transgressions, in regard to all their sins; and thus he shall do for the tent of meeting which abides with them in the midst of their impurities.

Legacy Standard Bible
So he shall make atonement for the holy place because of the uncleanness of the sons of Israel and because of their transgressions in regard to all their sins; and thus he shall do for the tent of meeting which abides with them in the midst of their uncleanness.

Amplified Bible
So he shall make atonement for the Holy Place (Holy of Holies) because of the uncleanness and transgressions of the Israelites, for all their sins. He shall also do this for the Tent of Meeting which is among them in the midst of their uncleanness (impurities).

Christian Standard Bible
He will make atonement for the most holy place in this way for all their sins because of the Israelites’ impurities and rebellious acts. He will do the same for the tent of meeting that remains among them, because it is surrounded by their impurities.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He will purify the most holy place in this way for all their sins because of the Israelites’ impurities and rebellious acts. He will do the same for the tent of meeting that remains among them, because it is surrounded by their impurities.

American Standard Version
and he shall make atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleannesses of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions, even all their sins: and so shall he do for the tent of meeting, that dwelleth with them in the midst of their uncleannesses.

Contemporary English Version
By doing this, you will take away the sins that make both the most holy place and the people of Israel unclean. Do the same for the sacred tent, which is here among the people.

English Revised Version
and he shall make atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleannesses of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions, even all their sins: and so shall he do for the tent of meeting, that dwelleth with them in the midst of their uncleannesses.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So he will make peace with the LORD for all the sins the Israelites committed against the holy place. These sins happened because the Israelites were unclean and because they committed rebellious acts. He will do the same for the tent of meeting which is among an unclean people.

Good News Translation
In this way he will perform the ritual to purify the Most Holy Place from the uncleanness of the people of Israel and from all their sins. He must do this to the Tent, because it stands in the middle of the camp, which is ritually unclean.

International Standard Version
Then he is to make atonement on the sacred place on account of the uncleanness of the Israelis, their transgressions, and all their sins. This is how he is to act in the Tent of Meeting, which will remain with them in the middle of their uncleanness.

Majority Standard Bible
So he shall make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the impurities and rebellious acts of the Israelites in regard to all their sins. He is to do the same for the Tent of Meeting which abides among them in the midst of their impurities.

NET Bible
So he is to make atonement for the holy place from the impurities of the Israelites and from their transgressions with regard to all their sins, and thus he is to do for the Meeting Tent which resides with them in the midst of their impurities.

New Heart English Bible
and 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.

Webster's Bible Translation
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 remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness.

World English Bible
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 middle of their uncleanness.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he has made atonement for the holy place because of the uncleanness of the sons of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins; and so he does for the Tent of Meeting which is dwelling with them in the midst of their uncleannesses.

Young's Literal Translation
and he hath made atonement for the sanctuary because of the uncleanness of the sons of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins; and so he doth for the tent of meeting which is tabernacling with them in the midst of their uncleannesses.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he expiated for the holy place from the uncleanness of the sons of Israel, and from their transgression for all their sins: and so shall he do for the tent of appointment, dwelling with them in the midst of their uncleanness.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And may expiate the sanctuary from the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and from their transgressions, and all their sins. According to this rite shall he do to the tabernacle of the testimony, which is fixed among them in the midst of the filth of their habitation.

Catholic Public Domain Version
and so that he may expiate the Sanctuary from the uncleanness of the sons of Israel, and from their prevarications and every one of their sins. According to this rite, he shall act toward the tabernacle of the testimony, which is fixed among them in the midst of the filth of their habitation.

New American Bible
Thus he shall purge the inner sanctuary of all the Israelites’ impurities and trespasses, including all their sins. He shall do the same for the tent of meeting, which is set up among them in the midst of their uncleanness.

New Revised Standard Version
Thus he shall make atonement for the sanctuary, because of the uncleannesses of the people of Israel, and because of their transgressions, all their sins; and so he shall do for the tent of meeting, which remains with them in the midst of their uncleannesses.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
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 which remains among them in the midst of their uncleanness.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he shall make atonement for the holy place from the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and from their evil and from all of their sins, and thus he shall do for the Time Tent that remains with them in their uncleanness.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he shall make atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleannesses of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions, even all their sins; and so shall he do for the tent of meeting, that dwelleth with them in the midst of their uncleannesses.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and he shall make atonement for the sanctuary on account of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and for their trespasses in the matter of all their sins; and thus shall he do to the tabernacle of witness established among them in the midst of their uncleanness.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Sin Offering for the People
15Aaron shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and bring its blood behind the veil, and with its blood he must do as he did with the bull’s blood: He is to sprinkle it against the mercy seat and in front of it. 16So he shall make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the impurities and rebellious acts of the Israelites in regard to all their sins. He is to do the same for the Tent of Meeting which abides among them, because it is surrounded by their impurities. 17No one may be in the Tent of Meeting from the time Aaron goes in to make atonement in the Most Holy Place until he leaves, after he has made atonement for himself, his household, and the whole assembly of Israel.…

Cross References
Hebrews 9:7
But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.

Hebrews 9:11-12
But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation. / He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.

Hebrews 9:22
According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

Hebrews 10:19-20
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, / by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body,

Hebrews 10:4
because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Hebrews 9:24
For Christ did not enter a man-made copy of the true sanctuary, but He entered heaven itself, now to appear on our behalf in the presence of God.

Hebrews 9:25-26
Nor did He enter heaven to offer Himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. / Otherwise, Christ would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But now He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

Hebrews 10:1-2
For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. / If it could, would not the offerings have ceased? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt the guilt of their sins.

Romans 3:25
God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice in His blood through faith, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand.

1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 2:2
He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 John 4:10
And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Exodus 30:10
Once a year Aaron shall make atonement on the horns of the altar. Throughout your generations he shall make atonement on it annually with the blood of the sin offering of atonement. The altar is most holy to the LORD.”

Exodus 29:36-37
Sacrifice a bull as a sin offering each day for atonement. Purify the altar by making atonement for it, and anoint it to consecrate it. / For seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will become most holy; whatever touches the altar will be holy.

Numbers 19:20
But if a person who is unclean does not purify himself, he will be cut off from the assembly, because he has defiled the sanctuary of the LORD. The water of purification has not been sprinkled on him; he is unclean.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

an atonement

Leviticus 16:18
And he shall go out unto 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 upon the horns of the altar round about.

Leviticus 8:15
And he slew it; and Moses took the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about with his finger, and purified the altar, and poured the blood at the bottom of the altar, and sanctified it, to make reconciliation upon it.

Exodus 29:36,37
And thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement: and thou shalt cleanse the altar, when thou hast made an atonement for it, and thou shalt anoint it, to sanctify it…

remaineth [heb] dwelleth

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Abides Atonement Children Congregation Dwelleth Dwells Free Holy Impurities Israel Israelites Meeting Midst Rebellion Regard Sins Tabernacle Tent Transgressions Unclean Uncleanness Uncleannesses Way Whatever
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Abides Atonement Children Congregation Dwelleth Dwells Free Holy Impurities Israel Israelites Meeting Midst Rebellion Regard Sins Tabernacle Tent Transgressions Unclean Uncleanness Uncleannesses Way Whatever
Leviticus 16
1. how the high priest must enter into the holy place
11. The sin offering for himself
15. The sin offering for the people
20. The scapegoat
29. The yearly feast of the expiations














So he shall make atonement for the Most Holy Place
The Most Holy Place, or Holy of Holies, was the innermost and most sacred area of the Tabernacle, later the Temple, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. Only the high priest could enter this space, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). This act of atonement was necessary to cleanse the sanctuary from the defilement caused by the sins of the people. The high priest's actions prefigure the ultimate atonement made by Jesus Christ, who entered the heavenly sanctuary once for all, as described in Hebrews 9:11-12.

because of the impurities and rebellious acts of the Israelites
The impurities refer to both ceremonial uncleanness and moral transgressions. Rebellious acts highlight the willful disobedience of the Israelites against God's commandments. This phrase underscores the need for atonement due to the pervasive nature of sin, which affects not only individuals but also the community and the sacred space itself. The sacrificial system was a temporary measure pointing to the need for a perfect and final atonement.

in regard to all their sins
This comprehensive phrase indicates that the atonement covered all types of sins, whether intentional or unintentional. It reflects the holistic nature of the sacrificial system, which aimed to restore the relationship between God and His people. The concept of sin in the Old Testament includes both actions and the inherent sinful nature of humanity, which is ultimately addressed through the sacrifice of Christ, as seen in Romans 3:23-25.

He is to do the same for the Tent of Meeting
The Tent of Meeting, or Tabernacle, was the portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites. It was the center of worship and the place where God communicated with Moses and the priests. The need for atonement for the Tent of Meeting signifies that even the place of divine encounter required purification due to the presence of sin. This foreshadows the cleansing work of Christ, who purifies not only individuals but also the community of believers, as described in Ephesians 5:25-27.

which abides among them in the midst of their impurities
God's presence among the Israelites, despite their impurities, highlights His grace and desire for relationship with His people. The Tabernacle was a constant reminder of God's holiness and the need for His people to be holy. This abiding presence is fulfilled in the New Testament through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers, as seen in 1 Corinthians 3:16, emphasizing that God dwells with His people even amidst their imperfections.

Persons / Places / Events
1. High Priest
The central figure in the Day of Atonement rituals, responsible for making atonement for the people of Israel.

2. Most Holy Place
The innermost part of the Tabernacle, where God's presence dwelt, and where the High Priest entered once a year to make atonement.

3. Israelites
The people of God, whose sins and impurities necessitated the atonement process.

4. Tent of Meeting
The Tabernacle, a portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites.

5. Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)
An annual event where the High Priest made atonement for the sins of the people and the sanctuary.
Teaching Points
The Necessity of Atonement
Sin creates a barrier between humanity and God, necessitating a means of reconciliation. The Day of Atonement foreshadows the ultimate atonement through Christ.

The Holiness of God
God's holiness requires that the place of His dwelling be purified from the impurities of the people. This underscores the seriousness of sin and the need for holiness in our lives.

The Role of the Mediator
The High Priest serves as a mediator between God and the people, pointing to Jesus Christ as our ultimate High Priest who intercedes on our behalf.

The Community Impact of Sin
The impurities and sins of the Israelites affected the entire community and the sanctuary, reminding us that our sins have broader implications beyond ourselves.

The Call to Repentance and Cleansing
Just as the Israelites needed atonement, we are called to seek forgiveness and cleansing through Christ, maintaining a pure relationship with God.(16) Make an atonement for the holy place.--The transgressions of the Israelites during the year not only defiled them, but also drew defilement upon the very sanctuary with its utensils, which was pitched in the midst of them. For this purpose the high priest during the second Temple thoroughly mixed the blood of the bullock with that of the goat, and went out into the Holy place which he inspected first.

And so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation.--Better, and so shall he do for the tent of meeting. He next cleansed by the same process the tent of meeting, or the court of the sanctuary, where the Israelites were usually admitted; that is, the high priest sprinkled the court and the altar of burnt offering which was in it eight times with the mingled blood of the bullock and goat.

Verse 16. - The two sprinklings, first with the bullock's blood, then with the goat's blood, on the front of the ark and on the ground before it, effected the symbolical atonement which was required annually even for the holy of holies because it was pitched in the midst of sinful men. There remained the outer chamber of the tabernacle and the altar of burnt sacrifice to be atoned for. Accordingly, the high priest proceeds to do so for the tabernacle of the congregation, that is, to make a similar atonement by similar means outside the vail as he had made inside it. He would therefore have made one sprinkling with the blood upon the vail, and seven sprinklings before it, after which he placed the blood upon the horns of the altar of incense, according to the command given in Exodus 30:10. In later times it became customary also to sprinkle the top of the altar of incense seven times.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So he shall make atonement
וְכִפֶּ֣ר (wə·ḵip·per)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3722: To cover, to expiate, condone, to placate, cancel

for
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the Most Holy Place
הַקֹּ֗דֶשׁ (haq·qō·ḏeš)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

because of the impurities
מִטֻּמְאֹת֙ (miṭ·ṭum·’ōṯ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 2932: Religious impurity

and rebellious acts
וּמִפִּשְׁעֵיהֶ֖ם (ū·mip·piš·‘ê·hem)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6588: Transgression

of the Israelites
בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

in regard to all
לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

their sins.
חַטֹּאתָ֑ם (ḥaṭ·ṭō·ṯām)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2403: An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender

He is to do
יַעֲשֶׂה֙ (ya·‘ă·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

the same
וְכֵ֤ן (wə·ḵên)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

for the Tent
לְאֹ֣הֶל (lə·’ō·hel)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 168: A tent

of Meeting
מוֹעֵ֔ד (mō·w·‘êḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4150: Appointed time, place, or meeting

which abides
הַשֹּׁכֵ֣ן (haš·šō·ḵên)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7931: To settle down, abide, dwell

among them,
אִתָּ֔ם (’it·tām)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

because it is surrounded by
בְּת֖וֹךְ (bə·ṯō·wḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

their impurities.
טֻמְאֹתָֽם׃ (ṭum·’ō·ṯām)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2932: Religious impurity


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OT Law: Leviticus 16:16 And he shall make atonement (Le Lv Lev.)
Leviticus 16:15
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