Main Reading: Leviticus 16
Theme: Cleansing, Forgiveness, and the Holiest Access to God
Messianic Focus: Yeshua as Our High Priest and Eternal Atonement

🌿 Overview

Leviticus 16 describes Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Israel’s calendar.

יוֹם כִּפּוּר — Yom Kippur

• Pronounced: Yohm kee-POOR
• Meaning: “Day of Atonement”

This is the only day each year when the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) may enter the Holy of Holies — the innermost place of God’s presence.

כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל — Kohen Gadol

• Pronounced: KOH-hen gah-DOHL
• Meaning: “High Priest”

Yom Kippur is about:

• cleansing
• covering
• forgiveness
• restoration
• access

It is God’s gracious provision for the cleansing of both people and sanctuary.

This day also introduces two powerful symbols:

• the sin offering
• the scapegoat carrying away the sins of the people

Through these, God teaches Israel the cost of sin — and His desire to forgive.

🌿 Key Scriptures

🌿 Supporting Readings

• Prophets / Writings: Isaiah 53; Psalm 103:10–14
• Messianic Writings: Hebrews 9–10; Romans 3:21–26; 1 John 2:1–2

🌿 Hebrew Notes (Integrated)

1. Kippur — כִּפּוּר — “Atonement / covering”

From kafar (כָּפַר) meaning to cover, cleanse, purify, make right.

2. Kohen Gadol — כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל — “High Priest”

Only he may enter the Holy of Holies — and only with blood.

3. Azazel — עֲזָאזֵל — “Goat that goes away”

Often translated “scapegoat.”
Symbolizes sins being carried far away.

4. Adamah — אֲדָמָה — “Ground / earth”

The scapegoat is sent “into the wilderness” — away from the community, back to the dust.

🌿 Messianic Connection

The book of Hebrews explains that Yeshua fulfills Yom Kippur perfectly and eternally.

1. Yeshua is our Kohen Gadol (High Priest)

He enters not an earthly tent, but the heavenly one (Hebrews 9:11–12).

2. He offers His own blood

Not the blood of bulls and goats, but His own — once for all.

3. He is both offerings

• Sin offering → His blood cleanses the altar of our hearts.
• Scapegoat (Azazel) → He carries our sins away “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12).

4. He provides permanent access

“The veil was torn.”
Through Messiah, every believer may now enter the holy presence of God with confidence (Hebrews 10:19–22).

5. He completes the prophecy of Isaiah 53

“The LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

Yeshua is the fullness of Yom Kippur.
Every detail finds its completion in Him.

🌿 Moral and Spiritual Application

• God takes sin seriously — but He provides real cleansing.
• Confession and repentance renew our relationship with God.
• Sin must be dealt with, not ignored or hidden.
• Messiah removes both guilt (blood offering) and shame (scapegoat).
• We now live as a people with access — we come boldly, not fearfully.
• Holiness is possible because God cleanses us from the inside out.

🕎 7-Day Devotional (gentle Hebrew integrated)

🌿 Discussion Questions

1. What does “atonement” (kippur) truly mean?
2. How do the two goats (sin offering and scapegoat) reveal different aspects of forgiveness?
3. Why could only the High Priest enter the Holy of Holies?
4. How does Yeshua fulfill the role of both priest and offering?
5. What does it mean for you personally that you now have access to God?

🌿 Prayer Focus

Ask God to cleanse your heart deeply.
Thank Him for sending Messiah as your High Priest and perfect sacrifice.
Invite Him to restore anything in your life that needs cleansing or renewal.

🌿 Memory Verse

Leviticus 16:30 — “For on this day shall atonement be made for you, to cleanse you; and you shall be clean before the LORD.”