Leviticus 16:18

Arabic Bible ERV 2009

ثُمَّ يَخرُجُ هارُونُ إلَى المَذبَحِ الَّذِي فِي حَضْرَةِ اللهِ، وَيُكَفِّرُ عَنهُ. فَيَأخُذُ مِنْ دَمِ الثَّورِ وَدَمِ التَّيسِ وَيَضَعُهُ عَلَى زَوايا المَذبَحِ مِنْ كُلِّ الجِهاتِ.

What Does This Mean?

This verse describes a priest making atonement for the altar by placing the blood of a bull and a goat on the altar's horns. This act is part of a larger ritual for cleansing the sanctuary. The key message is about the necessity of sacrifice for forgiveness and restoration.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a special toy that needs cleaning. Just like how you might use soap to clean it, the priest uses blood to clean the altar. This blood comes from two animals, a bull and a goat, and it's spread all around the altar to make it clean and ready for God.

Historical Background

This passage is from the Book of Leviticus, traditionally attributed to Moses, and was written around 1400-1200 BCE. It details the rituals and sacrificial practices of the Israelites, aimed at maintaining their covenant with God. The audience was primarily the Israelite community, and the cultural context included a deep emphasis on purity and divine favor.

Living It Out Today

In modern life, we can see this as a metaphor for the need to cleanse ourselves of our sins. Just like the priest cleanses the altar, we must seek forgiveness and make changes in our lives to stay close to God. This can be as simple as apologizing for a mistake and committing to do better in the future.

Topics

• atonement
• sacrifice
• forgiveness
• altar
• covenant
• ritual

Related Verses

• Leviticus 9:18
• Exodus 29:12
• Hebrews 9:13-14
• Leviticus 17:11
• 1 John 1:7

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are the horns of the altar important?

The horns of the altar were considered the holiest part and often served as a place for the blood to be placed, signifying the fullness of the sacrifice and its power to cleanse and atone.

What does the act of atonement symbolize?

The act of atonement symbolizes the cleansing of sin and the restoration of a right relationship with God. It's a physical representation of the spiritual act of forgiveness.

How does this relate to Jesus?

Many Christians see the sacrificial system as a foreshadowing of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, where His blood is seen as the ultimate atonement for sins.

What does the blood of the animals represent?

The blood of the animals represents life and is used as a substitute for the life of the sinner. It is a physical symbol of the life given to make atonement and cleanse from sin.