Leviticus 16:18
Then he shall go out to the altar that is before the LORD and make atonement for it, and shall take some of the blood of the bull and some of the blood of the goat, and put it on the horns of the altar all around.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This isn't just about cleansing the sanctuary; it's about the altar itself needing atonement. It highlights that even the sacred instruments of worship can become tainted by human sin and require cleansing through sacrifice, mirroring how our own worship needs the blood of Christ.
After sprinkling blood inside the Most Holy Place and making atonement for the Tabernacle itself, the high priest now exits the inner sanctuary. He proceeds to the altar, taking blood from both the bull and the goat sacrificed earlier, to smear it on the horns of this altar, signifying atonement for it as well. This act completes the cleansing of the sacred spaces.
Why would an altar, a place meant for sacrifice, need atonement itself? It wasn't just a piece of furniture, but a focal point of sin's reality.
After ministering within the Holy of Holies and the Holy Place, the high priest emerges to the altar. This isn't just any altar; it's the altar 'before the LORD,' a place constantly exposed to sin's effects through the sacrifices offered there. Even sacred objects can become tainted by the sin they are meant to address.
A Place Implicated by Sin
Think of it this way: every sin offering brought to this altar represented the people's unholiness. While the altar itself was consecrated, the cumulative weight of sin's presence meant it too needed cleansing. This step highlights that everything in God's presence, even the instruments of worship, must be purified from the defilement that sin brings.
The blood of both the bull and the goat is used here. Why bring two different sacrifices to this final act of atonement?
The high priest takes blood from both the bull (his own sin offering) and the goat (the people's sin offering) and applies it to the altar's horns. This isn't arbitrary; it signifies the comprehensive nature of atonement required.
Covering All Sin
By mingling and applying both, the rite powerfully declares that atonement is necessary for both the leaders and the led, for those serving within the sanctuary and for the community outside. It's a complete covering for sin, acknowledging its pervasive reach.
Understand the original words
mizbeah · Hebrew Noun
An elevated structure used for animal sacrifices; it signifies the place where humanity meets God through the shedding of blood for the forgiveness of sin.
dam · Hebrew Noun
The life-force of a creature; in biblical theology, its shedding represents the required payment or propitiation for sin, as 'the life of the flesh is in the blood.'
qeren · Hebrew Noun
The protruding corners of the altar; they symbolize the power and reach of the sacrifice, serving as the points of contact for the most efficacious application of the blood.
This passage directly prefigures the need for atonement on the altar, specifically mentioning the altar of incense and its yearly cleansing, which is a key part of the ritual described in Leviticus 16.
Hebrews 9:12The New Testament author, likely drawing a parallel to the Day of Atonement ritual, explains how Christ, through His own blood, entered the heavenly sanctuary once and for all to secure eternal redemption, highlighting the ultimate fulfillment of this Old Testament atonement.
Hebrews 9:22This verse emphasizes that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness, underscoring the critical role of blood atonement on the altar, as vividly depicted in the Leviticus passage.
1 Corinthians 10:16The Apostle Paul connects the cup of blessing and the bread we break to the blood and body of Christ, mirroring how the blood of the sacrifices on the altar in Leviticus symbolized participation in Christ's atoning work.
Psalm 51:17This psalm speaks of 'a broken and contrite heart' as the sacrifice God desires, pointing to the spiritual reality behind the physical blood atonement on the altar – the need for true repentance and a humbled spirit.
bensonLeviticus 16:18: "And he shall go out unto the altar that is before the LORD, and make an atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about."
Leviticus 16:18 . The altar before the Lord — That is, the altar of incense, where the blood of sacrifices was to be put, particularly the blood of the sin- offerings offered upon this day of atonement, and which is most properly said to be before the Lord; that i…
calvinLeviticus 16:1-34: "And the LORD spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered before the LORD, and died;"
And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.
Dixitque Jellova ad Mosen, Loquere ad Aharon fratrem tuum, ut ne ingrediatnr omni tempore sanctuarium intra velum…
This isn't just about cleansing the sanctuary; it's about the altar itself needing atonement. It highlights that even the sacred instruments of worship can become tainted by human sin and require cleansing through sacrifice, mirroring how our own worship needs the blood of Christ.
After sprinkling blood inside the Most Holy Place and making atonement for the Tabernacle itself, the high priest now exits the inner sanctuary. He proceeds to the altar, taking blood from both the bull and the goat sacrificed earlier, to smear it on the horns of this altar, signifying atonement for it as well. This act completes the cleansing of the sacred spaces.
After sprinkling blood inside the Most Holy Place and making atonement for the Tabernacle itself, the high priest now exits the inner sanctuary. He proceeds to the altar, taking blood from both the bull and the goat sacrificed earlier, to smear it on the horns of this altar, signifying atonement for it as well. This act completes the cleansing of the sacred spaces.
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Why apply the blood specifically to the 'horns' of the altar? What's so significant about these prominent points?
The blood isn't just poured out; it's deliberately placed on the four horns of the altar. In the ancient world, horns often symbolized strength, power, and refuge. By smearing the blood on these points, the high priest is symbolically extending God's mercy and the power of atonement to the very extremities and corners of the altar.
A Symbol of Protection and Claim
This detail emphasizes that God's atonement isn't a half-measure; it's a complete reclamation, extending to every aspect of the sacred space dedicated to Him.
"Then he shall go out to the altar that is before the LORD and make atonement for it, and shall take some of the blood of the bull and some of the blood of the goat, and put it on the horns of the altar all around." — This isn't just about cleansing the sanctuary; it's about the altar itself needing atonement. It highlights that even the sacred instruments of worship can become tainted by human sin and require cle…
