⁴⁹ But Aaron and his descendants were the ones who presented offerings on the altar^(A) of burnt offering and on the altar of incense^(B) in connection with all that was done in the Most Holy Place, making atonement for Israel, in accordance with all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.

The Altar of Incense^(A)

30 “Make an altar^(B) of acacia wood for burning incense.^{(C) 2} It is to be square, a cubit long and a cubit wide, and two cubits high^[a]—its horns^(D) of one piece with it. ³ Overlay the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold, and make a gold molding around it.^{(E) 4} Make two gold rings^(F) for the altar below the molding—two on each of the opposite sides—to hold the poles used to carry it. ⁵ Make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.^{(G) 6} Put the altar in front of the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law—before the atonement cover^(H) that is over the tablets of the covenant law—where I will meet with you.

⁷ “Aaron must burn fragrant incense^(I) on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps.

The Altar of Burnt Offering^(A)

27 “Build an altar^(B) of acacia wood, three cubits^[a] high; it is to be square, five cubits long and five cubits wide.^{[b] 2} Make a horn^(C) at each of the four corners, so that the horns and the altar are of one piece, and overlay the altar with bronze. ³ Make all its utensils of bronze—its pots to remove the ashes, and its shovels, sprinkling bowls,^(D) meat forks and firepans.^{(E) 4} Make a grating for it, a bronze network, and make a bronze ring at each of the four corners of the network. ⁵ Put it under the ledge of the altar so that it is halfway up the altar. ⁶ Make poles of acacia wood for the altar and overlay them with bronze.^{(F) 7} The poles are to be inserted into the rings so they will be on two sides of the altar when it is carried.^{(G) 8} Make the altar hollow, out of boards. It is to be made just as you were shown^(H) on the mountain.

²⁰ and do with this bull just as he did with the bull for the sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement^(A) for the community, and they will be forgiven.^(B)

¹⁰ Once a year^(A) Aaron shall make atonement^(B) on its horns. This annual atonement must be made with the blood of the atoning sin offering^[a](C) for the generations to come.^(D) It is most holy to the Lord.”

Atonement Money

¹¹ Then the Lord said to Moses, ¹² “When you take a census^(E) of the Israelites to count them, each one must pay the Lord a ransom^(F) for his life at the time he is counted. Then no plague^(G) will come on them when you number them. ¹³ Each one who crosses over to those already counted is to give a half shekel,^[b] according to the sanctuary shekel,^(H) which weighs twenty gerahs. This half shekel is an offering to the Lord. ¹⁴ All who cross over, those twenty years old or more,^(I) are to give an offering to the Lord. ¹⁵ The rich are not to give more than a half shekel and the poor are not to give less^(J) when you make the offering to the Lord to atone for your lives. ¹⁶ Receive the atonement^(K) money from the Israelites and use it for the service of the tent of meeting.^(L) It will be a memorial^(M) for the Israelites before the Lord, making atonement for your lives.”

Jesus Like Melchizedek

¹¹ If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people^(A) established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come,^(B) one in the order of Melchizedek,^(C) not in the order of Aaron? ¹² For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. ¹³ He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe,^(D) and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar.^{(E) 14} For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah,^(F) and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

Joshua Installed as Leader

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord,^(A) the Lord said to Joshua^(B) son of Nun, Moses’ aide:

⁵ And Moses the servant of the Lord^(A) died^(B) there in Moab, as the Lord had said.