“And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock of the sin offering which is for himself:”
My Notes
What Does Leviticus 16:11 Mean?
"Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house." On the Day of Atonement, the high priest's first sacrifice is for himself. Before he atones for anyone else, he atones for his own sin. The mediator between God and the people is himself a sinner who needs a sacrifice.
The phrase "for himself" (ba'ado) appears three times in this verse, emphasizing the personal dimension: the high priest isn't exempt from the system he administers. He needs blood too. His holiness is derived (given through consecration) not inherent (natural to his character). The priest who cleanses others is himself unclean without the sacrifice.
The self-atonement before the communal atonement establishes an order: you can't mediate forgiveness for others while carrying your own unresolved guilt. The priest deals with his own sin first. Then — and only then — he enters the Holy of Holies to deal with everyone else's.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Have you dealt with your own sin before trying to address others'?
- 2.What does the priest needing his own sacrifice teach about the limitations of human spiritual leadership?
- 3.How does Christ's sinlessness (no need for self-atonement) complete what the Levitical system revealed?
- 4.What unresolved guilt are you carrying into ministry that needs to be addressed first?
Devotional
The high priest sacrifices for himself first. Before he enters the Holy of Holies for the nation, before he sends the scapegoat into the wilderness, before any atonement reaches the people — he has to deal with his own sin. The mediator needs a mediator.
The Levitical system's honest genius is this: the priest is not better than the people. He's functionally different (his role is unique) but morally identical (his condition is the same). He's a sinner who needs blood just like everyone else. The robe doesn't change the heart. The office doesn't purify the person. The priest stands before God in the same need as the prostitute in the street.
The self-atonement-first principle applies to every form of spiritual leadership: deal with your own sin before addressing anyone else's. The counselor who hasn't processed their own wounds can't heal others'. The preacher who hasn't confessed their own failures can't credibly call for repentance. The leader who skips self-examination before serving others is an un-atoned priest entering the Holy of Holies.
Hebrews contrasts this with Christ: 'who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins' (Hebrews 7:27). The Levitical priest sacrificed for himself because he was a sinner. Christ didn't because He wasn't. The contrast validates both the Levitical system's honesty (the priest is a sinner) and Christ's superiority (the priest isn't).
Have you dealt with your own sin first — or are you trying to mediate for others while carrying unresolved guilt?
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering which is for himself,.... In the same manner, and is to be…
It is important, in reference to the meaning of the day of atonement, to observe the order of the rites as they are…
The Jewish writers say that for seven days before the day of expiation the high priest was to retire from his own house,…
According to the Mishna (Tal. Bab. Yoma), the high priest on presenting his bullock (Lev 16:16) made a confession of sin…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture