Bible Strands
Leviticus 16:13
He is to put the incense on the fire before the LORD, and the cloud of incense will cover the mercy seat above the Testimony, so that he will not die.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — God commands Moses to instruct Aaron on the exact procedure for entering the inner sanctuary. This directive occurs at the moment Aaron has already brought the censer and incense past the veil.
The words — וְ/כִסָּ֣ה (ve./khi.Sah) translates literally as "and it will cover," describing the incense cloud's action over the mercy seat. The verb specifies the physical barrier that must exist before the high priest can stand before the Testimony.
The thread — The placement of the mercy seat atop the ark is first commanded in Exodus 25:21. The regular burning of fragrant incense by Aaron is established in Exodus 30:1 and Exodus 30:7.
Why it lands — The text states that the incense cloud prevents the priest from dying while approaching the mercy seat. A reader must accept that proximity to the divine presence requires strict adherence to the prescribed ritual covering.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not:
Cross-references
- Exodus 25:21 Set the mercy seat atop the ark and put the Testimony that I will give you into the ark.
- Exodus 30:1 “You are also to make an altar of acacia wood for the burning of incense.
- Exodus 30:7 And Aaron is to burn fragrant incense on it every morning when he tends the lamps.
- 1 John 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
- Exodus 28:43 Aaron and his sons must wear them whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they will not incur guilt and die. This is to be a permanent statute for Aaron and his descendants.
- Leviticus 22:9 The priests must keep My charge, lest they bear the guilt and die because they profane it. I am the LORD who sanctifies them.
- Numbers 16:7 and tomorrow you are to place fire and incense in them in the presence of the LORD. Then the man the LORD chooses will be the one who is holy. It is you sons of Levi who have taken too much upon yourselves!”
- Numbers 16:18 So each man took his censer, put fire and incense in it, and stood with Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
- Numbers 16:46 Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, place fire from the altar in it, and add incense. Go quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, because wrath has come out from the LORD; the plague has begun.”
- Hebrews 4:14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess.