And he shall put the incense vpon the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of the incense may couer the mercie seate that is vpon the testimonie, that he die not. Leviticus 16:13 (KJV)
This verse is part of the instructions given by God to Moses concerning the Day of Atonement, a significant annual observance in ancient Israel when the high priest performed specific rituals to atone for the sins of the people and seek forgiveness from God. The “he” referred to in the verse is the high priest, the only person allowed to enter the Most Holy Place of the tabernacle, also known as the Holy of Holies. He was to take a censer, put fire therein and put incense therein, and then put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, bringing it within the veil into the presence of the LORD, before the mercy seat, so that the incense would create a cloud that covered the mercy seat. The purpose of the burning incense was to produce a sweet savour and a covering for the mercy seat, which was the golden cover of the Ark of the Covenant that held the testimony. The cloud of incense represented the presence of God, and the mercy seat signified His throne of grace and forgiveness. The phrase “that he die not” indicates that precise performance of the ritual protected the priest from death, underscoring the seriousness of the duty. The act of covering the mercy seat with incense demonstrated the high priest’s reverence for God’s holiness and his recognition of the need for divine mercy and forgiveness for the sins of the people. In Christian theology this ritual is understood as a typological foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, the great High Priest, whose intercession before the Father covers believers’ sins with His righteousness and who offers Himself as the ultimate atoning sacrifice for all humanity. In summary, Leviticus 16:13 illustrates the intricate details of the Day of Atonement, emphasizing reverence, obedience, and the recognition of God’s holiness, while also pointing forward to Christ as the perfect sacrifice and mediator.
