New International Version It is a day of sabbath rest, and you must deny yourselves; it is a lasting ordinance. New Living Translation It will be a Sabbath day of complete rest for you, and you must deny yourselves. This is a permanent law for you. English Standard Version It is a Sabbath of solemn rest to you, and you shall afflict yourselves; it is a statute forever. Berean Standard Bible It is a Sabbath of complete rest for you, that you may humble yourselves; it is a permanent statute. Berean Literal Bible It is a Sabbath of complete rest for you⁺, and you⁺ shall afflict your⁺ souls; it is an everlasting statute. King James Bible It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever. New King James Version It is a sabbath of solemn rest for you, and you shall afflict your souls. It is a statute forever. New American Standard Bible It is to be a Sabbath of solemn rest for you, so that you may humble yourselves; it is a permanent statute. NASB 1995 “It is to be a sabbath of solemn rest for you, that you may humble your souls; it is a permanent statute. NASB 1977 “It is to be a sabbath of solemn rest for you, that you may humble your souls; it is a permanent statute. Legacy Standard Bible It is to be a sabbath of solemn rest for you, that you may humble your souls; it is a perpetual statute. Amplified Bible It is a Sabbath of solemn rest for you, and you shall humble yourselves; it is a permanent statute. Berean Annotated Bible It is a Sabbath of complete rest for you⁺, that you⁺ may humble yourselves; it is a permanent statute. Christian Standard Bible It is a Sabbath of complete rest for you, and you must practice self-denial; it is a permanent statute. Holman Christian Standard Bible It is a Sabbath of complete rest for you, and you must practice self-denial; it is a permanent statute. American Standard Version It is a sabbath of solemn rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls; it is a statute for ever. Contemporary English Version and from now on, it must be celebrated each year. Go without eating and make this a day of complete rest just like the Sabbath. English Revised Version It is a sabbath of solemn rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls; it is a statute for ever. GOD'S WORD® Translation This is the most important worship festival there is for you. You will humble yourselves. It is a permanent law. Good News Translation That day is to be a very holy day, one on which they fast and do no work at all. These regulations are to be observed for all time to come. International Standard Version It's the Sabbath of all Sabbaths for you, so humble yourselves. This is to be a perpetual statute. NET Bible It is to be a Sabbath of complete rest for you, and you must humble yourselves. It is a perpetual statute. New Heart English Bible It is a Sabbath of solemn rest to you, and you shall afflict your souls; it is a statute forever. Webster's Bible Translation It shall be a sabbath of rest to you, and ye shall afflict your souls by a statute for ever. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleIt is a Sabbath of complete rest for you, that you may humble yourselves; it is a permanent statute. World English Bible It is a Sabbath of solemn rest to you, and you shall afflict your souls. It is a statute forever. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionit [is] a Sabbath of rest for you, and you have humbled yourselves—a continuous statute. Berean Literal Bible It is a Sabbath of complete rest for you⁺, and you⁺ shall afflict your⁺ souls; it is an everlasting statute. Young's Literal Translation it is to you a sabbath of rest, and ye have humbled yourselves -- a statute age-during. Smith's Literal Translation And this is a Sabbath of Sabbath to you, and ye humbled your souls, a law forever. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor it is a sabbath of rest, and you shall afflict your souls by a perpetual religion. Catholic Public Domain Version For it is a Sabbath of rest, and you shall afflict your souls as a perpetual observance. New American Bible It shall be a sabbath of complete rest for you, on which you must humble yourselves—an everlasting statute. New Revised Standard Version It is a sabbath of complete rest to you, and you shall deny yourselves; it is a statute forever. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIt shall be a sabbath and a rest to you, and you shall humble yourselves; it is a statute for ever. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated A rest and tranquility are yours, and humble your souls: the Written Law to eternity. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917It is a sabbath of solemn rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls; it is a statute for ever. Brenton Septuagint Translation This shall be to you a most holy sabbath, a rest, and ye shall humble your souls; it is a perpetual ordinance. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Day of Atonement…30because on this day atonement will be made for you to cleanse you, and you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD. 31It is a Sabbath of complete rest for you, that you may humble yourselves; it is a permanent statute. 32The priest who is anointed and ordained to succeed his father as high priest shall make atonement. He will put on the sacred linen garments… Cross References It is a Sabbath of complete rest for you, Leviticus 23:3 For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a day of sacred assembly. You must not do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD. Exodus 35:2 For six days work may be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a Sabbath of complete rest to the LORD. Whoever does any work on that day must be put to death. Exodus 20:10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant or livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates. that you may humble yourselves; Leviticus 23:27 “The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. You shall hold a sacred assembly and humble yourselves, and present a food offering to the LORD. Leviticus 23:32 It will be a Sabbath of complete rest for you, and you shall humble yourselves. From the evening of the ninth day of the month until the following evening you are to keep your Sabbath.” Numbers 29:7 On the tenth day of this seventh month, you are to hold a sacred assembly, and you shall humble yourselves; you must not do any work. it is a permanent statute. Leviticus 3:17 This is a permanent statute for the generations to come, wherever you live: You must not eat any fat or any blood.” Numbers 19:21 This is a permanent statute for the people: The one who sprinkles the water of purification must wash his clothes, and whoever touches the water of purification will be unclean until evening. Exodus 12:17 So you are to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your divisions out of the land of Egypt. You must keep this day as a permanent statute for the generations to come. Hebrews 4:9-10 There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God. / For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His. 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 9:12 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 10:1-3 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. / Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, Hebrews 10:19-22 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, / and since we have a great priest over the house of God, … Hebrews 10:26-27 If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, / but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries. Colossians 2:16-17 Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. / These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ. Treasury of Scripture It shall be a sabbath of rest to you, and you shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever. Leviticus 23:32 It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath. Leviticus 25:4 But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the LORD: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard. Exodus 31:15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Jump to Previous Afflict Age-During Deny Everlasting Forever Humble Humbled Lasting Order Ordinance Permanent Pleasure Rest Solemn Souls Special Statute YourselvesJump to Next Afflict Age-During Deny Everlasting Forever Humble Humbled Lasting Order Ordinance Permanent Pleasure Rest Solemn Souls Special Statute YourselvesLeviticus 16 1. how the high priest must enter into the holy place11. The sin offering for himself 15. The sin offering for the people 20. The scapegoat 29. The yearly feast of the expiations It is a Sabbath of complete rest for you, The Day of Atonement required Israel to cease from ordinary labor and devote the day wholly to the Lord. Unlike the weekly Sabbath, this annual Sabbath centered on the cleansing of the sanctuary, the priesthood, and the people through the atoning sacrifices offered by the high priest. Rest from work acknowledged that reconciliation with God could not be achieved by human effort. God alone provided the sacrifice and the mediator. The appointed day also anticipates the saving work of Jesus Christ, whose once-for-all sacrifice brings believers into peace with God and the rest of faith. Lev 23:3 For six days work may be done, but the seventh day… that you may humble yourselves; Israel humbled itself through fasting and self-denial while the high priest carried out the rites of atonement. The people were to recognize the seriousness of sin, their dependence on God’s mercy, and their need for cleansing. Such humility was not mere outward sorrow but a repentance that submitted to God’s holiness and judgment. Believers likewise come before God without self-reliance, trusting the forgiveness secured through Christ. Lev 23:27 “The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement.”… it is a permanent statute. God commanded Israel to observe the Day of Atonement each year throughout the generations of the Mosaic covenant. Its repeated observance reminded the nation that sin required atonement and that access to a holy God depended upon His provision. The annual sacrifices could not finally remove sin, but they pointed forward to Christ, who entered the heavenly sanctuary by His own blood and obtained eternal redemption. Lev 3:17 This is a permanent statute for the generations to come,… Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe prophet and leader of the Israelites, who received the laws from God, including the instructions for the Day of Atonement. 2. Aaron The first high priest of Israel and brother of Moses, who performed the rituals of atonement as described in Leviticus 16. 3. Israelites The chosen people of God, who were commanded to observe the Day of Atonement as a day of rest and humility. 4. Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) A significant and solemn day in the Jewish calendar dedicated to atonement and repentance. 5. Tabernacle The portable dwelling place for the divine presence among the Israelites, where the high priest performed the atonement rituals. Teaching Points Sabbath of Solemn RestThe Day of Atonement is a day set apart for rest, reflecting the Sabbath principle of ceasing from work to focus on spiritual matters. Humility and Repentance The command to "humble yourselves" underscores the importance of approaching God with a contrite heart, acknowledging our sins and need for His mercy. Permanent Statute The Day of Atonement is described as a "permanent statute," indicating its enduring significance and the timeless need for atonement and reconciliation with God. Spiritual Reflection This day serves as an opportunity for deep spiritual reflection, encouraging believers to examine their lives and align themselves with God's will. Christ as Our Atonement For Christians, the Day of Atonement points to Jesus Christ, who provides the ultimate atonement for sin, inviting believers to rest in His finished work. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Leviticus 16:31?2. How does Leviticus 16:31 emphasize the importance of rest and humility before God? 3. What role does the Sabbath play in deepening our relationship with God today? 4. How can we apply the principle of "a Sabbath of complete rest" in our lives? 5. How does Leviticus 16:31 connect with Jesus' teachings on rest in Matthew 11:28? 6. Why is self-denial important in our spiritual growth according to Leviticus 16:31? 7. What does Leviticus 16:31 mean by "a Sabbath of solemn rest"? 8. How does Leviticus 16:31 relate to the Day of Atonement? 9. Why is self-denial emphasized in Leviticus 16:31? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 16? What Does Leviticus 16:31 Mean It is a Sabbath of complete rest for you“‘It is a Sabbath of complete rest for you…’” (Leviticus 16:31) • The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) is declared a true Sabbath, a day when every form of regular work ceases (cf. Leviticus 16:29; 23:28). • Like the weekly Sabbath of Exodus 20:8-11, it calls God’s people to imitate His rest after creation (Genesis 2:2-3). • Resting underscores that atonement is God’s work, not ours (Hebrews 4:9-10). • By stopping ordinary activities, Israel was to turn undivided attention to the holy rituals of the day (Leviticus 16:17, 34). that you may humble yourselves “…that you may humble yourselves…” (Leviticus 16:31) • “Humble yourselves” (elsewhere “afflict your souls,” e.g., Leviticus 23:27) includes fasting, mourning for sin, and heartfelt repentance (Psalm 35:13; Isaiah 58:3-7). • Humility recognizes personal guilt and the need for the blood of the substitute goat (Leviticus 16:15-16) and the scapegoat that carries sins away (16:21-22). • Such self-denial teaches dependence on God’s mercy, echoing Ezra 8:21 and anticipating the call of James 4:8-10 to grieve over sin and be lifted up by the Lord. it is a permanent statute “…it is a permanent statute.” (Leviticus 16:31) • “Permanent” (also “lasting” or “forever”) means the ordinance stands for every generation of Israel (Leviticus 23:31; Exodus 12:14). • While the sacrificial system found its once-for-all fulfillment in Christ (Hebrews 9:11-12, 26-28), the moral call to rest in God’s provision and to humble ourselves remains (Matthew 5:17; 1 Peter 5:6). • The continuity of the statute points to God’s unchanging holiness and the abiding need for atonement. summary Leviticus 16:31 teaches that the Day of Atonement is • a God-ordained Sabbath, mandating complete rest so nothing distracts from His atoning work, • an occasion for sincere self-humbling, fasting, and repentance, and • a permanent directive that reveals the timeless character of God’s redemptive plan. By resting from our works and humbling ourselves, we honor the everlasting provision He has made for sin. (31) It shall be a Sabbath of rest unto you.—Literally, a resting day of solemn resting, a Sabbath of Sabbaths, i.e., a day of complete and perfect rest. This phrase, which occurs six times in the Bible, is only applied to weekly Sabbaths (Exodus 16:23; Exodus 31:15; Exodus 35:2; Leviticus 23:3), the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:31; Leviticus 23:32...Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Itהִיא֙ (hî) Pronoun - third person feminine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are is a Sabbath שַׁבַּ֨ת (šab·baṯ) Noun - common singular construct Strong's 7676: Intermission, the Sabbath of solemn rest שַׁבָּת֥וֹן (šab·bā·ṯō·wn) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7677: Sabbath observance, sabbatism for you, לָכֶ֔ם (lā·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural Strong's Hebrew that you may humble וְעִנִּיתֶ֖ם (wə·‘in·nî·ṯem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 6031: To be bowed down or afflicted your souls; נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶ֑ם (nap̄·šō·ṯê·ḵem) Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion it is a permanent עוֹלָֽם׃ (‘ō·w·lām) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5769: Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always statute. חֻקַּ֖ת (ḥuq·qaṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 2708: Something prescribed, an enactment, statute Additonal Resources Leviticus 16:31 Blue Letter BibleLeviticus 16:31 Bible Gateway Leviticus 16:31 Bible.com Leviticus 16:31 NIV |
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