MPV Commentary

1. After the deaths of Nadab and Abihu, Aaron was filled with painful apprehensions that their guilt might be entailed on his house. To alleviate these concerns, God established a law to ensure the Aaronic order would be securely maintained in the priesthood.

2. Speak to Aaron, your brother, that he not enter the holy place within the veil at all times. Only the high priest was allowed to enter this sacred area once a year with great care and solemnity. This arrangement was designed to inspire reverence for the most holy place, as the presence of God was indicated by sensible symbols.

The cloud that appeared in the smoke of incense signified God's presence on the mercy seat.

3-4. Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place: he will bring a young bullock and a ram as sacrifices. He is to wear plain linen clothes, like those worn by common Levites, rather than his ornate priestly robes. This humble attire signifies that when all appear as sinners, there is no distinction of persons with God.

5-10. Aaron shall take two kids of the goats and one ram from the congregation. The bullock and goats are for sin offerings, while the rams are for burnt offerings. The disposal of the goats was determined by lot, which Jewish writers describe as follows: the priest placed one goat on his right hand and the other on his left, then cast two pieces of gold into an urn with different inscriptions. He took up a lot in each hand, putting it on the head of the corresponding goat.

11-19. Aaron shall bring the bullock for himself and the priests as a sin offering. The high priest killed the victim while taking its blood into a vessel. He then crossed the porch and holy place, opened the outer veil, and entered the holy of holies. There, he deposited coals on the floor, poured incense on them, and sprinkled the blood seven times before the mercy seat.

The high priest also made similar sprinklings with the blood of the goat assigned as a sin offering for the people. The sanctuary was thus ceremonially purified, and the people reconciled by the blood of the consecrated victim. The Lord continued to dwell in their midst, honoring them with His gracious presence.

20-22. Aaron shall bring the live goat, which had already been presented before the Lord. He placed his hands on its head, confessing over it all the iniquities and transgressions of Israel. This act transferred their sins to the goat as a substitute. The goat was then led away into a distant place, where it would escape for its life.

Commentators have differed widely about the character and purpose of this ceremony. Some consider "Azazel" to mean "the scapegoat," while others think it designates Satan or a lofty rock. This view is supported by Zechariah 3:1-10, which presents a striking commentary on this passage. Whether there was any reference to an Egyptian superstition about Typhon, the spirit of evil, inhabiting the wilderness, it is impossible to say.

23-28. Aaron shall come into the tabernacle and put off his linen garments, bathing himself in water before assuming his pontifical dress. He then presented the burnt offerings prescribed for himself and the people, consisting of the two rams that had been brought with the sin offerings but reserved till now.

29-34. This day of annual expiation shall be observed as a solemn fast, where all persons afflict their souls. It was reckoned a sabbath, kept as a season of holy convocation or assembling for religious purposes. All labor performed on this day was subject to the penalty of death. The rehearsal of these passages appointing the solemn ceremonial was very appropriate and produced salutary impressions both of sin and duty that would not be soon effaced.