2. The offerings for Aaron and the people (16:11-19)

Aaron first offers the sin offering for himself. He takes the blood of that offering into the Holy of Holies and sprinkles its blood over the mercy seat and before it. This expiates his own sins and those of his household. He comes out of the Holy Place. Next he offers the goat for the people’s sin offering. He returns into the Holy of Holies and sprinkles the blood on the mercy seat. This action cleanses the Holy of Holies from the uncleanness of the people. No other person may be in the Holy Place at this time, for that person would contaminate the Holy Place and render these rites ineffectual. Then the high priest takes some of the blood of both animals and puts it on the horns of the altar to cleanse the altar. Some take this to be the altar of incense, while others take it to be the main altar before the Tent of Meeting. The latter is preferred, for nothing is said about the other furniture in the Holy Place.