What does Aaron's change of garments symbolize in Leviticus 16:23? Context of Leviticus 16:23 “Then Aaron shall go into the Tent of Meeting, take off the linen garments he put on when he went into the Holy Place, and leave them there.” (Leviticus 16:23) On the Day of Atonement Aaron first wore simple linen attire (Leviticus 16:4) to enter the Most Holy Place, sprinkle the blood, and make atonement. Only after finishing that work did he return to the Tent of Meeting, remove the linen garments, and put back on his ornate high-priestly clothes (Exodus 28:2, Leviticus 16:24). Aaron’s Two Sets of Garments • Linen garments – plain, white, humble, used only inside the sanctuary for the atonement rites (Leviticus 16:4) • “Golden” high-priestly garments – richly embroidered ephod, breastpiece with twelve stones, turban plate of gold reading “Holy to Yahweh” (Exodus 28) Symbolic Meaning of the Change • Humility before glory – Linen speaks of purity and humility; Aaron sets aside visible splendor while bearing the people’s sin (cf. Philippians 2:7). – After atonement is complete, glory returns; his resumption of the ornate garments proclaims accepted sacrifice and restored fellowship. • Identification with the people – Plain linen aligns Aaron with Israel’s common worshiper, showing that sin levels everyone (Leviticus 6:10-11). – Changing back distinguishes the mediator from the people again, affirming his restored representative role. • Removal and separation from sin – The linen garments symbolically absorb the uncleanness he carried into the sanctuary (Leviticus 16:21-22). – Leaving them in the Tent of Meeting dramatizes sin left behind, never to re-enter God’s presence (Psalm 103:12). • Completion of atonement – The change marks a clear “before” and “after”: once blood has been presented, atonement is finished, and normal priestly ministry resumes (Hebrews 9:7-12). • Foreshadowing Christ – Jesus humbled Himself, took on “the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:5-8), bore sin, then was exalted and “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3). – Like Aaron’s discarded linen, the grave clothes stayed in the tomb while the risen Lord emerged in resurrection glory (John 20:6-7). Living the Truth Today • Sin is truly removed; we need not pick it up again (Hebrews 10:17-18). • Humility precedes exaltation in God’s order (1 Peter 5:6). • Our High Priest now serves in glory; we approach with confidence, clothed in “garments of salvation” and a “robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10). |
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