The high priest bathed and changed garments after the atonement ritual to signify the transition from the holy service of entering God’s presence back to his regular priestly duties. This cleansing marked the conclusion of the most sacred duties of the year and reinforced the ongoing need for purity.
Leviticus 16:23–24 says:
“Then Aaron shall come into the tabernacle of meeting, shall take off the linen garments which he put on when he went into the Holy Place, and shall leave them there. And he shall wash his body with water in a holy place, put on his garments, come out and offer his burnt offering and the burnt offering of the people, and make atonement for himself and for the people.”
The linen garments were worn only for entering the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement. After the atonement was complete, the high priest was to remove them, bathe, and put on his regular garments to continue the remaining sacrifices.
This act emphasized that access to God requires purity, and even the holiest tasks must be performed with complete separation from uncleanness. The transition also reinforced that while atonement is sacred and exceptional, God’s people must still walk in ongoing holiness.
This practice foreshadowed the purity and perfection of Christ, who entered once into the heavenly sanctuary and then sat down at the right hand of God. Hebrews 10:12 says:
“But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.”
