Leviticus 16: The Day of Atonement

a.       Leviticus 16 explains the details of what is referred to as the Day of Atonement (see Leviticus 23:27-28). Write a definition for the primary purpose of this special day.

Answer: The Day of Atonement is a day of spiritual cleaning. It is a Sabbath day of repentance and no work is supposed to be done on this Day of Atonement. People would humble their souls on this special day.

b.      Read Leviticus 16:1-28 as well as the Institute Student Manual commentary for Leviticus 16, “The Day of Atonement and Israel’s Forgiveness” (pgs. 176-77; see also Bible Dictionary, “Fasts,” 671, which describes the Day of Atonement). Then answer the following questions:

• Why do you think Aaron needed to make atonement for himself before making atonement for the people?
• Why did Aaron need two goats?
• How could both goats represent Jesus Christ and His Atonement?
• What do Aaron's responsibilities and the responsibilities of the man who led the scapegoat into the wilderness symbolize?
• Read the Institute Student Manual commentary by Elder James E. Talmage (1862-1933), a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (pg. 177). Define the word vicarious as it applied to the ancient Day of Atonement. Include in your statement the personal factor necessary for an individual’s sins to be forgiven. Explain in writing how the Savior’s work of the Atonement was a vicarious work.

 Aaron needed to make atonement for himself before making atonement for the people because he needed to be spiritually cleaned and he needed to humble his soul before making atonement for the people. This was a very sacred ordinance and he needed to be as pure in heart as possible.

He needed two goats because one goat was for slaughter and one goat was kept alive. The goat that was slaughtered resembled the sin offering and the goat kept alive resembled the sins of the nation laid upon his head.

The slaughtered goat represents Jesus Christ and the goat that was kept alive represents His Atonement.

Aaron’s responsibilities represent Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the highest priest and officiates for all mankind. He provides a way for us to be forgiven. The man who leads the scapegoat away represents us. We must lead our sins away and lose them forever. 

The word vicarious means acting or serving in place of someone or something else. Therefore, vicarious, as applied to the ancient Day of Atonement means that there was an officiator and people who stood in to act for a large amount of people. The offerings and purpose of standing in for all of the people must be given with a broken heart and contrite spirit. If performed like this then the Lord will accept the offering for everyone.