What is the meaning of Leviticus 16:20? When Aaron has finished purifying Leviticus 16 lays out a literal, historical Day of Atonement ceremony. Aaron the high priest first completes every step of cleansing with the blood of the sin offering. Only when that work is finished may he advance to the next action. Cross references: Leviticus 16:17–19 shows the order; Hebrews 9:7 explains that only the high priest entered “once a year” with blood; John 19:30 reminds us how Jesus, the greater High Priest, declared “It is finished,” signaling the completion of His atoning work. the Most Holy Place This innermost room—separated by the veil—symbolizes God’s throne of holiness. The sprinkling of blood here satisfies divine justice at the very seat of mercy (Exodus 26:34; Hebrews 9:3–4). Because the place is now purified, Israel can be assured that God’s presence remains among them. Picture language: • The blood touches the ark’s cover— foreshadowing Christ’s once-for-all offering (Romans 3:25). • Access is still restricted, teaching reverence and the need for mediation (1 Timothy 2:5). the Tent of Meeting Moving outward, Aaron sprinkles blood in the holy place, the area where priests serve daily (Exodus 29:4; Numbers 1:1). Cleansing here reminds the nation that even their most sacred service needs atonement. Hebrews 9:21 remarks that “in the same way, he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of ministry.” God provides a covering for everything His people touch. and the altar Finally, Aaron purifies the bronze altar in the courtyard (Exodus 29:36–37; Leviticus 4:7). Though constant sacrifices burn there, sin still contaminates. Purifying the altar highlights two truths: • Sin defiles even the means God ordains. • God graciously makes provision to restore what sin corrupts (Ezekiel 43:20). he is to bring forward With every sanctuary object cleansed, Aaron turns his attention to the live goat. The timing matters: guilt is dealt with before the scapegoat carries sin away, underscoring God’s orderly righteousness (1 Corinthians 14:40). Nothing is left half-done; all steps converge toward complete reconciliation. the live goat This goat, kept alive until now, embodies substitution and removal. Aaron will “confess over it all the iniquities of the Israelites” before sending it into the wilderness (Leviticus 16:10, 21-22). The scene anticipates: • “The LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). • “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). • “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf” (2 Corinthians 5:21). As the goat disappears from sight, Israel sees a living picture of sins removed “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12). summary Leviticus 16:20 records the moment when every sacred space—inner sanctuary, holy place, and altar—has been cleansed. Only then does Aaron advance to the live goat, dramatizing the full removal of Israel’s sin. Step by step, God teaches that atonement is deliberate, complete, and originates with Him. The entire sequence points directly to Jesus Christ, whose finished work cleanses the true sanctuary of our hearts and carries every sin away forever. |
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