What role does the high priest play in Leviticus 16:33's atonement process? Verse spotlight: Leviticus 16:33 “He is to make atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting, and the altar; and he shall make atonement for the priests and all the people of the assembly.” Who is the “he”? The high priest—on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)—stands at the center of this verse. Everything hinges on his God-appointed actions. Core roles the high priest fulfills • Mediator: Stands between a holy God and sinful Israel (Exodus 28:36-38). • Sacrificial agent: Applies the blood of substitutionary offerings (Leviticus 16:14-15). • Sanctifier of sacred space: Purges defilement from the Most Holy Place, Tent of Meeting, and altar. • Representative intercessor: Makes atonement “for the priests and all the people” (see also Hebrews 5:1). Step-by-step actions woven into Leviticus 16 1. Personal purification – Bathes and dons linen garments (Leviticus 16:4). 2. Sin offering for himself and his household – Slaughters the bull, carries its blood behind the veil (16:11). 3. Incense cloud – Places incense on coals so a cloud covers the mercy seat (16:12-13). 4. Atonement inside the veil – Sprinkles blood on and before the mercy seat (16:14). 5. Sin offering for the nation – Slaughters the people’s goat; repeats the blood-sprinkling (16:15). 6. Cleansing holy places and altar – “He shall make atonement for the Most Holy Place…Tent…altar” (16:16-19; echoed in 16:33). 7. Scapegoat ceremony – Confesses Israel’s sins over the live goat and sends it away (16:20-22). 8. Final burnt offerings and disposal of remains (16:23-28). Why the high priest alone? • God assigned him exclusive access behind the veil (Numbers 18:7). • He carries the tribal names on his breastpiece, bearing them “before the LORD continually” (Exodus 28:29). • His obedience preserves Israel from divine wrath (Leviticus 10:1-3 shows the danger of unauthorized approach). Foreshadowing a greater High Priest • Hebrews 9:11-12—“Christ appeared as high priest…by His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having secured eternal redemption.” • Hebrews 10:19-22 encourages believers to draw near because the true High Priest opened a “new and living way.” Key takeaways for today • Atonement requires a God-approved mediator with sacrificial blood. • Sin defiles people and places; only blood purifies (Leviticus 17:11). • The earthly high priest points to Jesus, who fulfills and surpasses the Levitical pattern with a once-for-all atonement. |
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