Bible Strands

Leviticus 16:33

and make atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting, and the altar, and for the priests and all the people of the assembly.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The anointed high priest concludes the Day of Atonement ritual by declaring the full scope of the cleansing. He acts as the designated mediator for the sanctuary, the tabernacle, the altar, the priesthood, and the entire assembly of Israel.

The words — The Hebrew verb כִּפֶּר (kipper) translates literally as “he will make atonement” and governs the direct objects marked by the accusative particle אֵת (’et). The noun מִקְדַּשׁ (miqdaš) denotes the sanctuary or holy place, anchoring the ritual’s primary focus.

The thread — This atonement scope repeats the pattern of Leviticus 16:16, which specifies cleansing the Most Holy Place from Israelite impurities. The priest’s work parallels Leviticus 16:6, where Aaron initially atones for himself and his household before extending the ritual to the assembly.

Why it lands — The text commands the high priest to systematically purify sacred spaces and people, establishing a structured boundary between holiness and the community. The reader must recognize that the ritual’s efficacy depends on the priest’s obedience to the precise sequence and scope outlined in the passage.

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 make an atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation, and for the altar, and he shall make an atonement for the priests, and for all the people of the congregation.

Cross-references