The priesthood and service were to continue after the death of Aaron. Another priest was then to be anointed and consecrated to the priest’s office, to put on the holy linen garments, and to conduct the service.

Leviticus 16 is one of the great chapters of the Bible. In it the plan of salvation is beautifully and impressively revealed, and some of the deep things of God are hidden within its 34 verses. The depth of meaning revealed in the ceremonies described proclaims a divine author. The mind is stretched to its utmost in the attempt to comprehend its teachings.

 In order to understand clearly the services of the Day of Atonement, one must have some knowledge of the building in which the ritual of the sanctuary took place and some acquaintance with its surroundings. For a general description, see on Ex. 26:1; for a detailed description, on Ex. 25 to 40.

 The original tabernacle built by Moses was a tent with wooden side walls (see on Ex. 26:15-26). The roof consisted of four layers of material, the inner being fine twined linen, the others various kinds of skin (see on Ex. 26:1-14). The tent itself was about 43 ft. 9 in. long and 14 ft. 7 in. wide (13.34 by 4.45 m.), with an outer enclosure called the court, about 172 ft. long and 86 ft. wide (see on Ex. 27:9-18).

The building was divided into two apartments, the first and larger called the holy, and the second the most holy. A rich curtain, or veil, divided the two rooms. As there were no windows in the building, artificial light was provided by the seven-branched candlestick in the first apartment, which gave sufficient light for the priests to perform their service there.

In the first apartment there were three articles of furniture: the table of shewbread, the candlestick, and the altar of incense. Entering the building from the front, which faced the east, one could see near the end of the room the altar of incense. To the right was the table of shewbread, to the left the candlestick. On the table were the cakes of shewbread, arranged in two piles of six each, and also the incense for the bread and the flagons for the drink offerings. There were also dishes, spoons, and bowls used in the service. The candlestick was pure gold; its bowls or lamps were fashioned like almonds.

The most important object in this apartment was the altar of incense. It was about 2 ft. 11 in. in height, and the top 1 ft. 51/2 in. square (88.9 by 44.45 by 44.45 cm.). It was overlaid with gold, and around its top was a crown of gold. On this altar the priest placed the vessel containing the coals of fire taken from the altar of burnt offering, and also the incense. As he put the incense on the coals, the smoke ascended, and as the veil did not reach to the top of the building, the incense not only filled the first apartment but penetrated into the second. It thus served the most holy place also.

In the second apartment there was only the ark, a chest about 3 ft. 8 in. long, 2 ft. 2 in. wide and high. The cover of the ark was called the mercy seat, upon which atonement was made on the Day of Atonement. Around the top of the mercy seat was a crown of gold, similar to that on the altar of incense. Inside the ark the law was written on two tables of stone with God’s own finger.

 On top of the mercy seat were two cherubim of gold. Here God communed with His people (Ex. 25:22).

 In the court outside the tent was the laver, a large basin made of bronze, containing water for bathing. In this laver the priests were to bathe their hands and feet before entering the sanctuary or beginning their service (Ex. 30:17-21; 38:8).

In the court, to the east of the laver, was also the altar of burnt offering, which served a most important purpose for all sacrificial offerings. The altar was about 4 ft. 5 in. (1.33 m.) in height, which necessitated a ledge upon which the priest could stand when he officiated at the altar. This also enabled the people to see him when he ministered at the altar. The top of the altar was about 7 ft. 4 in. (2.22 m.) square. It was made of wood covered with brass. At a later time this altar was greatly enlarged to accommodate the increased number of worshipers. On this altar the sacrifices were burned. Hence the name, altar of burnt offering. Here also the fat of the sacrificial victims was burned, as well as certain parts of other offerings. On the four corners of the altar were hornlike projections known as the “horns of the altar.” In certain of the sacrifices the priests touched the horns of the altar with the blood. In others, it was sprinkled round about upon the altar. At its base the surplus blood not used in the service was poured out upon the ground.