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Leviticus 8:14-17
And he brought the bullock for the sin offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the bullock for the sin offering…

Hebrews 9:7
But into the secondwent the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, andfor the errors of the people:

an atonement for himself

Leviticus 9:7
And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the LORD commanded.

Ezra 10:18,19
And among the sons of the priests there were found that had taken strange wives:namely, of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren; Maaseiah, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gedaliah…

Job 1:5
And it was so, when the days oftheir feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offeringsaccording to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

and make atonement for himself
Before Aaron could intercede for the people, he had to be cleansed of his own sins. This requirement emphasizes the holiness required to approach God and the imperfection of the Levitical priesthood, which contrasts with the sinless nature of Christ, our eternal High Priest (Hebrews 7:26-27). The need for Aaron to atone for himself highlights the temporary and repetitive nature of the Old Covenant sacrifices, pointing to the necessity of a perfect and final atonement through Jesus.

and his household
The inclusion of Aaron's household in the atonement process reflects the communal aspect of sin and the need for collective purification. It also underscores the responsibility of the priestly family to maintain holiness, as they were set apart for service to God. This mirrors the New Testament teaching that believers, as a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), are called to live lives of holiness and intercession for others. The concept of household atonement can also be seen as a type of the broader atonement Christ provides for His spiritual household, the Church (Ephesians 5:25-27).

-Leviticus 16 opens by naming Aaron, the first high priest, as the mediator between the holy God and sinful Israel.

- AsHebrews 5:1–3 reminds us, “Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins… he himself is beset by weakness.” Aaron’s inclusion highlights that even spiritual leaders need cleansing before representing the people.

-Exodus 28:1–3 shows God’s prior choice of Aaron for this sacred office, underscoring that ministry begins with God’s call, not human ambition.

- “Present” pictures Aaron bringing the sacrificial animal to the entrance of the tent of meeting (Leviticus 1:3).

- The bull—costly and powerful—signals the seriousness of sin (compareNumbers 29:8 with the lesser offerings for individuals).

- This act demonstrates obedience: God set the terms, and Aaron follows them precisely (Leviticus 16:34).

- Before Aaron can intercede for Israel, he must deal with his own guilt (Leviticus 4:3).

- The bull functions as a substitutionary sacrifice, its life given in place of the priest’s (Leviticus 17:11;Hebrews 9:22).

- By labeling it “his sin offering,” Scripture insists that leadership does not exempt anyone from accountability (James 3:1).

- “Atonement” (covering, reconciliation) points to God’s gracious provision that shields sinners from deserved wrath (Leviticus 23:27;Romans 3:25).

- Blood sprinkled on the mercy seat (Leviticus 16:14) visually declares, “Payment has been made.”

- These ceremonies foreshadow Christ, our ultimate High Priest, who “entered the Most Holy Place once for all” (Hebrews 9:12).

- Aaron must first be cleansed personally (Leviticus 9:7). Spiritual leaders cannot lead others where they have not gone.

-1 Timothy 4:16 echoes this principle: “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching.”

- Personal holiness precedes public ministry; God values integrity over activity.

- The priest’s family shares in both privilege and responsibility (Leviticus 22:9 – 13).

-Joshua 24:15 states, “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD,” highlighting household solidarity in covenant life.

- The inclusion of Aaron’s household underlines that sin’s reach—and grace’s reach—extends to those closest to us (Acts 16:31).

Leviticus 16:6 stresses that even the high priest needs cleansing before approaching God on behalf of others. Aaron’s costly bull offering illustrates sin’s gravity and God’s mercy. Atonement must begin with personal repentance, extend to family, and then overflow to the wider community. Ultimately, the verse looks forward to Jesus Christ, the sinless High Priest who makes perfect, once-for-all atonement for Himself? None was needed—yet for us and our households, forever.

For himself, and for his house.--By this is meant that the atonement was for his own sins, for those of his family and for all the priests, the sons of Aaron. The ritual at this pontifical sacrifice during the second Temple was most solemn and impressive.

By the side of the victim, which was placed between the porch and the altar towards the east, stood the high priest, arrayed in his white robes, with his face towards the west. In this attitude of a penitent sinner, the pontiff laid both his hands upon the sacrifice and confessed his sins in an audible voice in the sight of God and the assembled congregation as follows: "O Lord, I have sinned, I have committed iniquity, I have transgressed before thee, I and my house. O Lord, I beseech thee cover over my sins, iniquities, and transgressions which I have committed before thee, I and my house, even as it is written in the Law of Moses thy servant--For on that day He will cover over for you and cleanse you from all your sins," &c. To this the congregation replied: "Blessed be the name of His glorious kingdom for ever and ever." Whereupon the high priest repeated this confession a second time, including in it the children of Aaron, God's holy people. (SeeLeviticus 16:11.)