Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once a year. With the blood of the sin offering of atonement he shall make atonement for it once in the year throughout your generations. It is most holy to the LORD.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "blood of the sin offering of atonements" highlights that the atonement ritual wasn't just a symbolic act; it required the actual blood from a sacrifice designated specifically for covering sin. This points to the serious nature of sin and the weighty reality that true atonement always involves sacrifice. It also emphasizes that this altar, the site of prayer, was made holy by this very sacrifice.
Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once a year. With the blood of the sin offering of atonement he shall make atonement for it once in the year throughout your generations. It is most holy to the LORD.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following detailed instructions for building the altar of incense, this verse specifies a crucial, once-a-year ritual to purify the altar itself. This act, performed with the blood of a sin offering on the Day of Atonement, cleanses it from the impurities of Israel and reinforces its sacred status before the Lord.
You might think the altar of incense, where sweet aromas rose daily, was always pure. But Scripture reveals a surprising annual cleansing.
The altar of incense wasn't exempt from the need for atonement. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, Aaron was to apply the blood of the sin offering to its horns. This ritual (described more fully in Leviticus 16) served to cleanse and hallow the altar itself from the 'uncleanness of the children of Israel.' This highlights that even the most sacred instruments and services require cleansing from sin's effects, pointing to a deeper, ongoing need for purification in our worship.
The fragrant smoke rising daily from this altar was more than just a pleasant smell. It was a powerful symbol pointing to something vital for us today.
The altar of incense is often seen as a beautiful picture of prayer. The daily burning of sweet incense by the priest symbolized the prayers of God's people rising to heaven. But the text doesn't stop there. The fact that this altar required atonement by blood shows that our prayers, though precious, are flawed and sinful. They are only made acceptable to God because of the atoning work of Christ. This altar, placed before the veil leading to the Holy of Holies, points to Christ's constant intercession for us in God's presence, making our prayers 'sweet-smelling offerings' through Him.
Understand the original words
Ask a follow-up
kaphar · Hebrew Verb
An act of expiation or reconciliation whereby the guilt of sin is covered or removed, making it possible for a sinful person to stand in the presence of a holy God.
qeren · Hebrew Noun
The protruding corners of the altar, which were considered the most sacred part of the structure; blood was applied to them to consecrate the altar and provide atonement.
chattath · Hebrew Noun
A sacrifice offered to make reparation for sins, specifically prescribed to restore the relationship between God and the community or individual after a transgression.
qodesh · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
A state of being set apart exclusively for God's use, separated from common or profane use, and bearing the character of God's own purity.
This passage describes the High Priest's actions on the Day of Atonement, directly referencing the application of blood to the horns of the altar of incense to make atonement for it, as mandated in Exodus.
Leviticus 16:19This verse further details the purpose of applying the blood to the altar of incense: to cleanse it and hallow it from the uncleanness of the Israelites, highlighting the need for ritual purification of even sacred objects.
Psalm 141:2The Psalmist prays, 'Let my prayer be set forth before you as incense,' drawing a direct parallel between the daily burning of incense on the altar and the acceptance of prayer before God, echoing the symbolic significance of the altar of incense.
Hebrews 9:7This New Testament passage contrasts the Old Testament tabernacle's services with Christ's ultimate sacrifice, mentioning the daily burning of incense and the annual atonement ritual, underscoring the symbolic nature of these Old Testament practices.
Hebrews 9:22The writer emphasizes that 'without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness,' a foundational principle that underpins the entire sacrificial system, including the atonement made on the altar of incense with blood.
gillExodus 30:10: "And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the LORD."
And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year,.... On the day of atonement, as the Targum of Jonathan, and so Jarchi and Aben Ezra explain it; and the atonement here referred to seems to be an atonement for the altar itself, see L…
clarkeExodus 30:10: "And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the LORD."
An atonement - once in a year - On the tenth day of the seventh month. See Leviticus 16:18 (note), etc., and the notes there. See Clarke on Leviticus 16:21 (note), etc.
The phrase "blood of the sin offering of atonements" highlights that the atonement ritual wasn't just a symbolic act; it required the actual blood from a sacrifice designated specifically for covering sin. This points to the serious nature of sin and the weighty reality that true atonement always involves sacrifice. It also emphasizes that this altar, the site of prayer, was made holy by this very sacrifice.
Following detailed instructions for building the altar of incense, this verse specifies a crucial, once-a-year ritual to purify the altar itself. This act, performed with the blood of a sin offering on the Day of Atonement, cleanses it from the impurities of Israel and reinforces its sacred status before the Lord.
Following detailed instructions for building the altar of incense, this verse specifies a crucial, once-a-year ritual to purify the altar itself. This act, performed with the blood of a sin offering on the Day of Atonement, cleanses it from the impurities of Israel and reinforces its sacred status before the Lord.
"Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once a year. With the blood of the sin offering of atonement he shall make atonement for it once in the year throughout your generations. It is most holy to the LORD.”" — The phrase "blood of the sin offering of atonements" highlights that the atonement ritual wasn't just a symbolic act; it required the actual blood from a sacrifice designated specifically for cover…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026