King James Version

What Does Leviticus 16:2 Mean?

Leviticus 16:2 in the King James Version says “And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.”

Leviticus 16:2 · KJV

Context

1

And the LORD spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered before the LORD, and died;

2

And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.

3

Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place: with a young bullock for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering.

4

He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on.

Read Leviticus 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.

This verse falls within the section on Day of Atonement. The most sacred day in Israel's calendar, when the high priest entered the Holy of Holies to make atonement for all Israel's sins.

The central theme of Leviticus is God's holiness and the call for His people to be holy. The Hebrew word qadosh (קָדוֹשׁ) means 'set apart' or 'sacred,' emphasizing both separation from sin and consecration to God's purposes. The Aaronic priesthood mediated between God and Israel, offering sacrifices and maintaining the tabernacle. This prefigured Christ's superior priesthood after the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 9-10 explains how Christ's once-for-all sacrifice supersedes the repeated Levitical offerings, providing permanent cleansing from sin.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The most sacred day in Israel's calendar, when the high priest entered the Holy of Holies to make atonement for all Israel's sins. The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) described in chapter 16 became Israel's most sacred day. Only on this annual day could the high priest enter the Holy of Holies, making atonement for the entire nation. This ceremony, still observed in Judaism, found ultimate fulfillment in Christ's entrance into heaven itself (Hebrews 9:11-12). Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. The tabernacle's design parallels ancient Near Eastern temple architecture, yet its portable nature and absence of divine images distinguished it from pagan temples.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's holiness, as revealed in this verse, shape your understanding of worship, obedience, and daily living?
  2. How does Christ's superior priesthood, prefigured in this verse, assure you of access to God and effective intercession?
  3. In what practical ways should this verse influence your church life, family relationships, or personal integrity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 29

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֜ה2 of 29

“And the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶל3 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֹשֶׁ֗ה4 of 29

“unto Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

דַּבֵּר֮5 of 29

“Speak”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֶל6 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַֽהֲרֹ֣ן7 of 29

“unto Aaron”

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

אָחִיךָ֒8 of 29

“thy brother”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

וְאַל9 of 29
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

יָבֹ֤א10 of 29

“that he come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בְכָל11 of 29
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עֵת֙12 of 29

“not at all times”

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

אֶל13 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ14 of 29

“into the holy”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

מִבֵּ֖ית15 of 29

“place within”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

לַפָּרֹ֑כֶת16 of 29

“the vail”

H6532

a separatrix, i.e., (the sacred) screen

אֶל17 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

פְּנֵ֨י18 of 29

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הַכַּפֹּֽרֶת׃19 of 29

“the mercy seat”

H3727

a lid (used only of the cover of the sacred ark)

אֲשֶׁ֤ר20 of 29
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עַל21 of 29
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָֽאָרֹן֙22 of 29

“which is upon the ark”

H727

a box

וְלֹ֣א23 of 29
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָמ֔וּת24 of 29

“that he die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

כִּ֚י25 of 29
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בֶּֽעָנָ֔ן26 of 29

“in the cloud”

H6051

a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud

אֵֽרָאֶ֖ה27 of 29

“not for I will appear”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

עַל28 of 29
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַכַּפֹּֽרֶת׃29 of 29

“the mercy seat”

H3727

a lid (used only of the cover of the sacred ark)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Leviticus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Leviticus 16:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Leviticus 16:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 30:101 Kings 8:10-12Hebrews 10:19-20Hebrews 9:25Hebrews 9:7-81 Kings 8:6

Places in This Verse

Holy Place 1Special Place24 verses across 4 books
View all places in Leviticus 16 →

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