Aaron brings coals from the altar and sweet incense into the holiest place, illustrating the necessity of holiness and intercession in God’s presence.
In Leviticus 16:12, Aaron the High Priest is commanded to perform a meticulous ritual to atone for the sins of the people of Israel. The verse says, “He shall take a firepan full of coals of fire from upon the altar before the LORD and two handfuls of finely ground sweet incense, and bring it inside the veil.” (v.12) This event takes place after the Israelite exodus from Egypt, around 1446 BC, likely during their time in the wilderness near Mount Sinai. By taking this firepan of coals from the altar and coupling them with a precise measure of incense, Aaron prepares to enter the most sacred space within the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle itself was a portable sanctuary where God’s presence was manifest among His chosen people.
The symbolism of coals, which cherish the fire’s purity and refining nature, underscores the need for a holy attitude when approaching the LORD. At the same time, the sweet incense represents a fragrant offering of prayer and devotion, indicating that the worshiper’s heart and approach must be sincere and reverent. As Aaron carries this fragrant cloud of incense behind the veil, he foreshadows Jesus’ role as High Priest, who later became the mediator between God and humanity and “entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle” (Hebrews 9:11-12). In this ancient ritual, we see the seriousness God placed upon maintaining holiness in His presence and the role of a mediator who stands between God and His worshipers.
This singular act of bringing incense inside the veil marks a unique function of the High Priest on the Day of Atonement, highlighting that the covering of sin required something beyond the everyday offerings. It was a holy transaction, recognized by later New Testament writers as being fully accomplished through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:24-26). By satisfying the requirements of atonement in the earthly Tabernacle, Aaron was a forerunner of Jesus’ ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice for sin and His continued intercession for believers.
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Leviticus 16:12 meaning
In Leviticus 16:12, Aaron the High Priest is commanded to perform a meticulous ritual to atone for the sins of the people of Israel. The verse says, “He shall take a firepan full of coals of fire from upon the altar before the LORD and two handfuls of finely ground sweet incense, and bring it inside the veil.” (v.12) This event takes place after the Israelite exodus from Egypt, around 1446 BC, likely during their time in the wilderness near Mount Sinai. By taking this firepan of coals from the altar and coupling them with a precise measure of incense, Aaron prepares to enter the most sacred space within the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle itself was a portable sanctuary where God’s presence was manifest among His chosen people.
The symbolism of coals, which cherish the fire’s purity and refining nature, underscores the need for a holy attitude when approaching the LORD. At the same time, the sweet incense represents a fragrant offering of prayer and devotion, indicating that the worshiper’s heart and approach must be sincere and reverent. As Aaron carries this fragrant cloud of incense behind the veil, he foreshadows Jesus’ role as High Priest, who later became the mediator between God and humanity and “entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle” (Hebrews 9:11-12). In this ancient ritual, we see the seriousness God placed upon maintaining holiness in His presence and the role of a mediator who stands between God and His worshipers.
This singular act of bringing incense inside the veil marks a unique function of the High Priest on the Day of Atonement, highlighting that the covering of sin required something beyond the everyday offerings. It was a holy transaction, recognized by later New Testament writers as being fully accomplished through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:24-26). By satisfying the requirements of atonement in the earthly Tabernacle, Aaron was a forerunner of Jesus’ ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice for sin and His continued intercession for believers.