The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 273

the most e888ntial characteristic of the Day thus visibly manifested (see 1 Kings viii. in the judgment of the legislator is that of I0_-;-12), and not, BB they _have strangely been its serving BB the occasion and the means of m1smterpreted, to the cloud of smoke raised "making an atonement for the holy sanctuary, by the incense burnt by the high priest on and making an atonement for the tabernacle his entrance. They do not, however, prove that the manirestation wu constantly there, of the congregation, and for the altar, and for still less that it was continued, according making an atonement for the priests, and for to Jewish tradition, in later times. " The all the people of the congregation" ( ver. 33). reason for the prohibition of Aaron's Annually there gathered over the camp, entrance at hie own pleasure, or without the and over the sa.nctuary as situated in the expiatory blood of sacrifice, is to be found in the fact that the holiness communicated to midst of the camp, a mus of defilement, the priest did not cancel the sin of his arising in part from sins whose guilt had nature, but only covered it over for the per- not been removed by the punishment of the formance of his official duties; and so long offenders, and in part from uncleannesses as the Law, which produced only the know- which_had not been cleansed by SBCri.fices and ledge of sin, and not its forgi veneee and remove.I, we.a not abolished by the complete the prescribed ceremonial rites. Annually atonement, the holy God we.a and remained this defilement had to be atoned for or covered to mortal and sinful man a consuming fire, away from the sight of God. This waa done before which no one conld stand" (Keil). by the solemn observance of the great Day Ver. 3.-Th11.11 ■hall Aaron oome into the of .Atonement, e.nd specially by the high holy place. "Thns" would be translated more literally by With this. He must priest's carrying the blood of the sacrifices come supplied with the specified offerings, into the holy of holies, into whioh he might dressed in the appointed manner and enter on no other day of the year; while the using the ceremonial here designated. The consoiousnese of deliverance from the guilt efficacy of the acts of the high priest on this of sin was quickened on the part of the day and throughout his ministrations de- people by their seeing the scapegoat "bear pended not upon his indi'l'idue.l but on his officio.I ohare.cter, and on his obedience to away upon him all their iniquitie, unto a the various commandments positively en- land not inhabited" (ver. 22). joined. Personal worthiness wonld not Ver. 2.-Speak unto Aaron thy brother, qualify him for his service, nor personoJ. un- that he oome not at all times into the holy worthiness hinder the effect of hi.a liturgical place within the vail before the meroy seat, acts (er. Art. XXVI., • Of the UnworthineBB whioh is upon the ark; the.t he die not. of the Ministers, which hinders not the effect Ne.dab and Abihu having died for their rash of the Sacrament'). Aaron's special offer- presumption in venturing unbidden into the ings for himself on this great day are to be taberne.ole, it was naturoJ. that Aaron, who e. young bullook for a Bin offering, and a ram had e.s yet but once penetrated into the for a burnt offering. holy of holies, should be struck with fear, Ver. 4.-His special garments for the and that he should desire Divine instruc- occasion are the holy linen coat, ... the linen tion as to the times and manner in which breeches, ... a linen girdle, ... and the linen he wns to e.ppee.r before the Lord, lest he mitre. In tho original the definite nrtiolo is should be struck dead like his sons. If the not expressed. The reailing should therefore attempt to enter the outer chamber or the be, He shall put on a holy linen coat, and he tabernacle had been so fate.I to them, what shall have linen breeches upon his flesh, and might not be the result to him of entering shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with within the vail which hung before the mercy- a linen mitre shall be attired. The clothing seat which is upon the ark 1 The mercy-seat was white from head to foot, differing therein -capporeth, />..au.-f,p,ov, propitiatorium- from the dress of the ordinary priest, inas- formed the top of the ark, and was the place much as the sash or girdle of the latter wu where God specie.Hy exhibited his Pre- of variegated materials, and differing also sence, on the occasions of his manifestation, in the shape of the mitre. The white by tbe bright cloud which then rested upon olothing we.a not intended to symbolize it between the cherubim. It we.a this Pre- humility and penitence, as some have sence which me.de it perilous for Aaron to thought, for white is not the colour in which appear within the ve.il unbidden or without penitents a.re naturally dreBSed. Rather it the becoming ritual; for man might not meet was symbolical of the purity and holinese God unless he were se.nctifted for the purpose which the ceremonies of the do.y sym- (Exod. xii:. H, 21-24 ; 1 Sam. vi. 19). The bolically effected, and which was specially words, for I will appear in the cloud npon needed to be exhibited in the person of the the mercy 1eat, refer to the Di vine Presence high priest. l.n. the visions of Ezekiel and  238 THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. [OH. XVI. 1-34.