Leviticus 16:18

And he shall go out unto the altar that is before the Lord, and make an atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about.

Leviticus 16:18 (KJV)

Context

Leviticus 16 gives the instructions for the Day of Atonement, the most important day in the Israelite religious calendar. Once each year, the high priest entered the Most Holy Place to make atonement for the sins of the people. This verse describes a later step in that ceremony, when the priest came out to the altar in the courtyard.

Meaning

The altar “before the LORD” is the bronze altar of burnt offering, standing in the courtyard of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. It was the place where sacrifices were offered to God. The high priest was to make atonement for this altar itself, because the sins of the people had defiled even the place of worship. The blood of the bull and the blood of the goat were mixed together and put on the horns of the altar round about. The horns were the four projections at the corners of the altar, and applying blood to them symbolized purification and consecration. The bull was the sin offering for the priest and his household, while the goat was the sin offering for the people. Mixing the two bloods showed that the atonement for the priest and the people was joined together. This act cleansed the altar from the uncleanness that clung to holy things, emphasizing that even the place of worship needed purification because of the sins committed in the sanctuary.

Biblical connections

This ritual points to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The high priest made atonement year after year, but Jesus offered Himself once as the perfect sacrifice. His shed blood cleanses believers from sin and reconciles them to God. The need to purify the altar reminds us that sin affects every part of worship, and only blood atonement can bring cleansing. Through faith in Christ, believers are cleansed and made holy in God’s sight, providing comfort and assurance.

Application

Because Christ fulfilled the sacrificial system, believers no longer offer animal sacrifices. Yet this passage still teaches important truths. It shows the seriousness of sin and the cost of forgiveness. It also calls us to approach God with reverence, knowing that our worship is made acceptable only through the blood of Christ. The cleansing of the altar reminds us that God cares about the purity of our worship, not just our outward actions. Just as the altar needed cleansing, our hearts and our gatherings need the continual cleansing that comes from Christ.

Reflection

Consider how sin can cling to the places and practices of worship. Just as the altar needed cleansing, our hearts and our gatherings need the continual cleansing that comes from Christ. His once-for-all sacrifice provides complete forgiveness, and through faith we are made holy in God’s sight. This gives comfort and assurance, and it calls us to live in grateful obedience.