Leviticus 16:34
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The verse emphasizes that this annual atonement is an "everlasting statute," highlighting its perpetual significance. This isn't just about a yearly ritual, but points to a timeless truth that God's provision for sin's removal is a permanent, foundational aspect of His relationship with humanity, fulfilled ultimately in Christ.
And this shall be a statute forever for you, that atonement may be made for the people of Israel once in the year because of all their sins.” And Aaron did as the LORD commanded Moses.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage concludes the detailed instructions for the Day of Atonement, the most sacred day in Israel's calendar. After outlining the intricate ritual involving sacrifices, blood sprinkling, and the symbolic sending away of the scapegoat, it establishes this annual atonement as a perpetual ordinance. The text emphasizes that Aaron, the High Priest, meticulously followed all these divine commands given through Moses, ensuring the atonement for the people's sins was carried out precisely as God ordained.
Why does Leviticus call this annual ritual an "everlasting statute"? It's a clue pointing beyond the ceremony itself to something far greater.
The text repeatedly calls this Day of Atonement an "everlasting statute" (Leviticus 16:34). This wasn't just a temporary fix for ancient Israel; it was designed to point forward. The commentators highlight that this annual, ritualistic atonement was a shadow, a type, of the one, perfect, and eternal atonement made by Jesus Christ. Just as the High Priest entered the Most Holy Place once a year with the blood of animals, Jesus, our true High Priest, entered the very presence of God once, with His own blood, to secure our eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:11-12). The "everlasting" nature of the statute wasn't in the ritual itself, but in the eternal reality it represented.
The Day of Atonement was meant to cover Israel's sins, but what does "atonement" truly mean in this context?
The purpose of this day was "to make an atonement for the people of Israel because of all their sins" (Leviticus 16:34). It's crucial to understand that these rituals, including the sacrifices and the scapegoat, were about covering sins from God's sight for a limited time. As the commentaries note, this atonement primarily applied to sins of ignorance and was contingent on repentance. It didn't erase the sin in a way that permanently removed its penalty or the inclination to sin. The blood of animals could only temporarily shield the people. True cleansing and permanent removal of sin's power and penalty would only come through Christ, who bore the full weight of our iniquities.
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The verse ends with a simple statement of action. What does this final clause reveal about the nature of God's commands?
The final phrase, "And Aaron did as the LORD commanded Moses" (Leviticus 16:34), might seem like a simple concluding remark. However, it underscores a vital principle: obedience. For Aaron, the High Priest, and for all Israel, these commands were not suggestions. They were direct instructions from God, carrying immense weight. The commentators emphasize that Aaron's action was a model of faithful compliance. This wasn't just about performing a ritual; it was about submitting to God's authority and trusting His prescribed way of dealing with sin. This obedience, even in the carrying out of a yearly, imperfect ritual, sets the stage for our own response to God's ultimate provision in Christ.
Understand the original words
chatta'ah · Hebrew Noun
Any thought, word, or action that transgresses God's law or fails to meet His standard of holiness. It creates a barrier between humanity and God, necessitating divine intervention for forgiveness.
This passage describes the High Priest's single annual entry into the Most Holy Place, directly paralleling the ritual described in Leviticus 16 and highlighting its symbolic nature for future redemption.
Hebrews 9:12This verse explains that Christ, through His own blood, obtained eternal redemption, fulfilling the temporary atonement provided by the Levitical sacrifices. This shows the ultimate antitype to the annual Day of Atonement.
Isaiah 53:4-6This prophetic passage describes the Suffering Servant bearing the iniquities of many, which directly relates to the concept of atonement for sins, as typified by the scapegoat bearing the sins of Israel into the wilderness.
1 Peter 3:18This verse states that Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to God. This reflects the finality and sufficiency of Christ's atoning work compared to the yearly ritual.
Colossians 1:21-22This passage speaks of believers being reconciled to God through Christ's death, leading to a holy and blameless standing. It echoes the purpose of the Day of Atonement: cleansing and reconciliation with God.
bensonLeviticus 16:34: "And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the LORD commanded Moses."
Leviticus 16:34 . This shall be an everlasting statute — By which were typified the two great gospel privileges; remission of sins and access to God, both which we owe to the mediation of the Lord Jesus. He shall make an atonement — for all their sins — Meaning all such sins as could be expiated by the law,…
gillLeviticus 16:34: "And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the LORD commanded Moses."
And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you,.... Which is the third time of its being observed, see Leviticus 16:29 , to show that this was a law of considerable moment, and to be taken notice of, and strictly and closely kept by the priests, to whom these words are directed, and on whom the chief serv…
The verse emphasizes that this annual atonement is an "everlasting statute," highlighting its perpetual significance. This isn't just about a yearly ritual, but points to a timeless truth that God's provision for sin's removal is a permanent, foundational aspect of His relationship with humanity, fulfilled ultimately in Christ.
This passage concludes the detailed instructions for the Day of Atonement, the most sacred day in Israel's calendar. After outlining the intricate ritual involving sacrifices, blood sprinkling, and the symbolic sending away of the scapegoat, it establishes this annual atonement as a perpetual ordinance. The text emphasizes that Aaron, the High Priest, meticulously followed all these divine commands given through Moses, ensuring the atonement for the people's sins was carried out precisely as God ordained.
This passage concludes the detailed instructions for the Day of Atonement, the most sacred day in Israel's calendar. After outlining the intricate ritual involving sacrifices, blood sprinkling, and the symbolic sending away of the scapegoat, it establishes this annual atonement as a perpetual ordinance. The text emphasizes that Aaron, the High Priest, meticulously followed all these divine commands given through Moses, ensuring the atonement for the people's sins was carried out precisely as God ordained.
"And this shall be a statute forever for you, that atonement may be made for the people of Israel once in the year because of all their sins.” And Aaron did as the LORD commanded Moses." — The verse emphasizes that this annual atonement is an "everlasting statute," highlighting its perpetual significance. This isn't just about a yearly ritual, but points to a timeless truth that God's…
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Last reviewed October 2026
