Chapter 16 brings the reader to the Day of Atonement. We include this chapter in the Manual of Purity, since the Day of Atonement provides a way of removing the effects of uncleanness. However, this chapter was probably not originally composed along with chapters 11–15. Verse 1 indicates that chapter 16 has strong connections with Leviticus 10. This chapter was perhaps part of the Priestly narrative continuing from chapters 8–10. The ritual described here may be quite old and no doubt has a complex history. It is included in the Priestly rites for the community of ancient Israel as part of the Priestly festal calendar and the autumn festal complex described in Leviticus 23.
The concern with ridding the sanctuary and community of the effects of uncleanness is precautionary and related to un…