Leviticus 23:26-32

Why is the Day of Atonement marked by humility and complete rest?

Berean Standard Bible

26 Again the LORD said to Moses, 27 “The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. You shall hold a sacred assembly and humble yourselves, and present a food offering to the LORD. 28 On this day you are not to do any work, for it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before the LORD your God. 29 If anyone does not humble himself on this day, he must be cut off from his people. 30 I will destroy from among his people anyone who does any work on this day. 31 You are not to do any work at all. This is a permanent statute for the generations to come, wherever you live. 32 It will be a Sabbath of complete rest for you, and you shall humble yourselves. From the evening of the ninth day of the month until the following evening you are to keep your Sabbath.”

What is the context?

The tenth day of the seventh month is set apart for atonement before the Lord. The people must assemble, humble themselves, present the offering, and stop work. The warnings concern both refusal to humble oneself and working on the day.

The instruction specifies evening to evening, beginning on the evening of the ninth day. This calendar paragraph gives the community’s obligations for the day whose priestly rites were described in chapter 16.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley explains self-humbling through fasting and repentance. The USCCB notes direct readers back to chapter 16. Together these emphases keep the whole day in view: the people’s humility and rest accompany the appointed work of atonement.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

No deeper study linked yet.

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