BibleWord.ai› Bible› Leviticus› Chapter 16› Verse 31

Leviticus 16:31

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Leviticus 16:31 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “It is a sabbath of solemn rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls; it is a statute for ever.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

It is a sabbath of solemn rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls; it is a statute for ever.
Leviticus 16:31 — American Standard Version

Context — Leviticus 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
28And he that burneth them shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp.
29And it shall be a statute for ever unto you: in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and shall do no manner of work, the home-born, or the stranger that sojourneth among you:
30for on this day shall atonement be made for you, to cleanse you; from all your sins shall ye be clean before Jehovah.
31It is a sabbath of solemn rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls; it is a statute for ever.
32And the priest, who shall be anointed and who shall be consecrated to be priest in his father`s stead, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen garments, even the holy garments:
33and he shall make atonement for the holy sanctuary; and he shall make atonement for the tent of meeting and for the altar; and he shall make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly.
34And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make atonement for the children of Israel because of all their sins once in the year. And he did as Jehovah commanded Moses.
← Leviticus 16:30Leviticus 16:32 →
← Full Chapter 16 Leviticus Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“It [shall be] a sabbath of rest unto you, etc.] From all servile work, as before observed; typical of a cessation from the performance of sinful works, at least from a sinful course of life, and from a dependence on works of righteousness, when a man is brought to believe in Christ, and in the atonement which he has made, (see <580403>Hebrews 4:3,10): and ye shall afflict your souls by a statute for ever: as long as the ceremonial law, and its statutes and ordinances lasted, which were to be until the time of reformation; and till that time came, once a year, on the day of atonement, they were to keep a severe fast, here called an afflicting of their souls; and in this respect this day…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“A sabbath - Observed as a sabbath - day from all servile works, and diligent attendance upon God's worship. Leviticus 16:32”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“16:31 The Day of Atonement was regarded as a Sabbath day. No one in the camp, Israelite or foreigner, was permitted to work (see 19:30).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Lev 23:32, Lev 25:4; Exo 31:15, Exo 35:2 Leviticus 16:32”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Leviticus 16 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification