He shall put the incense on the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is on the covenant, so that he will not die.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 13, 14. The cloud.—The blood, and so forth This is to teach us, that if we would go into the sanctuary of God, we must take with us the incense of prayer, and the blood, that is, the passion of Christ. Where also note, that the high priest, before he went into the holy of holies, was to wash his whole body; and then to put on white linen garments; to signify the purity and chastity with which we are to approach to God. Challoner.—The Septuagint call this goat apopompaion, “the averter of evils, or the one sent away.” Hazazel is taken by Spencer Julian, the apostate, (ap. Saint Cyril 9. and ep. 39,) to mean the devil; as if the goat was sent or sacrificed to him, which is very foolish. Calmet.—East. That is, the forepart of the mercy-seat, which was not to be touched with the blood, ( Menochius.) no more than the veil. Rabbins.