And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you:
This shall be a statute for ever unto you. The words "for ever" are to be understood in a general and indefinite sense, as denoting the duration of the Mosaic economy. This day of annual expiation for the aggregate sins, irreverences, and impurities of all classes in Israel during the previous year, was to be observed as a solemn fast, the only public fast ordained in the Mosaic law; in which 'they were to afflict their souls.' On that day no peace offering was made; for, since it was a day of affliction, the people did not eat with God or rejoice with Him-it was reckoned a Sabbath, kept as a season of "holy convocation," or assembling for religious purposes; and the persons who performed any labour were subject to the penalty of death. It took place on the tenth day - i:e., from the evening of the ninth to the evening of the tenth of the seventh month, Tisri, five days before the Feast of Tabernacles, corresponding to our third of October; and this chapter, together with Leviticus 23:1-44; Numbers 29:7-11, as containing special allusion to the observances of the day, were publicly read. The rehearsal of these passages, appointing the solemn ceremonial, was very appropriate, and the details of the successive parts of it-above all, the spectacle of the public departure of the scape-goat under the care of its leader must have produced salutary impressions both of sin and of duty that would not be soon effaced.
Verse 32. The priest whom he shall anoint ... in his father's stead. The high priests alone were qualified to perform the service on the great day of atonement; and they were required, under penalty of death, to adhere strictly to the terms on which even their entrance was permitted.
Shall put on the linen clothes. [The word for linen here is baad (H906), betokening, in the opinion of some writers, that they were made of a material inferior in value to sheesh (H8337). But in the Mishna, the 'holy garments were by the high priest on the day of atonement were formed of linen from Pelusium - i:e., the fine linen of Egypt.' But the former view is probably the correct one, as appears from the distinctive use of the two terms in Exodus 39:28.]
Verse 33. He shall make an atonement ... The phrase, "Who needeth not daily" х kath' (G2596) heemeran (G2250)] (Hebrews 7:27), must mean every great day of atonement, which was once a year.