“And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times.”
Context: Leviticus 16 describes the Day of Atonement, which was an annual event in the Israelite calendar. This chapter outlines the specific rituals and sacrifices the high priest had to perform on that day to make atonement for the sins of the people.
The High Priest: The verse refers to “he,” who is the high priest. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest alone had the privilege and responsibility to enter the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle or later the temple, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. This was the innermost sanctuary, and access was restricted throughout the year.
The Blood of the Bull: The verse mentions the blood of a bullock (bull). The high priest had to sacrifice a bull as a sin offering for himself and his household before he could intercede for the sins of the people. The blood of the bull was an essential part of the atonement process.
Sprinkling the Blood: The high priest took some of the bull’s blood and sprinkled it with his finger upon the mercy seat, which was the golden cover on top of the Ark of the Covenant. The sprinkling of blood represented the atonement for sin and symbolized the forgiveness and reconciliation between God and the people.
Eastward and Seven Times: The verse specifies that the blood was to be sprinkled eastward before the mercy seat and that the high priest would sprinkle it seven times. The eastward direction signifies the holiness and divine presence of God. The number seven is often associated with completion and perfection in the Bible, suggesting the thoroughness and completeness of the atonement achieved through this act.
Symbolism and Fulfillment: The rituals and sacrifices described in Leviticus, including the Day of Atonement, were part of the Old Covenant and served as temporary measures until the coming of Jesus Christ. The high priest’s actions and the sprinkling of blood foreshadowed the ultimate atonement and redemption brought by Jesus through His sacrificial death on the cross. The New Testament connects the symbolism in Leviticus with the work of Christ as our High Priest and the perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 9:11-14, 22-28; 10:1-4).
In summary, Leviticus 16:14 portrays the high priest’s role in the Day of Atonement and the sprinkling of blood on the mercy seat. This act represented the atonement for sin and symbolized the reconciliation between God and His people. While the rituals of the Old Covenant were fulfilled in Jesus Christ, understanding the Old Testament sacrificial system helps us grasp the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice and the redemption we have through Him.
