Leviticus 16:4-6

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Leviticus 16:4 sn The term “tunic” refers to a shirt-like garment worn next to the skin and, therefore, put on first (cf. Exod 28:4, 39-40; 29:5, 8; 39:27). It covered the upper body only. For detailed remarks on the terminology for the priestly clothing in this verse (except the “linen leggings”) see the notes on Lev 8:7-9 and the literature cited there.
2. Leviticus 16:4 tn Heb “shall be on his flesh.” As in many instances in Lev 15, the term “flesh” or “body” here is euphemistic for the male genitals (J. Milgrom, Leviticus [AB], 1:1017, and J. E. Hartley, Leviticus [WBC], 222; cf. the note on Lev 15:2), which the priest must be careful not to expose during such ritual procedures (see Exod 20:26 with 28:42-43).
3. Leviticus 16:4 sn The sash fastened the tunic around the waist (Exod 28:4, 39; 29:9; 39:29).
4. Leviticus 16:4 tn Heb “and in a turban of linen he shall wrap.” sn The turban consisted of wound up linen (cf. Exod 28:4, 37, 39; 29:6; 39:31; Lev 16:4). It is usually thought to be a “turban,” but it might be only a “turban-like headband” wound around the forehead area (HALOT 624 s.v. מִצְנֶפֶת).
5. Leviticus 16:4 tn Heb “and he shall bathe….”
6. Leviticus 16:5 tn Heb “And he shall take.”
7. Leviticus 16:5 tn Heb “he-goats of goats”; CEV “two goats, both of them males.”