Leviticus 16:10
But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.
Leviticus 16:10 (KJV)
Context
Leviticus is the third book of the Bible and part of the Old Testament. It records instructions that God gave to Israel through Moses. Leviticus 16 describes the Day of Atonement, also called Yom Kippur, a solemn annual event in ancient Israelite worship. On this day the high priest entered the Holy of Holies, the innermost part of the tabernacle, to make atonement for the sins of the people.
Meaning
In this verse two goats were chosen for the Day of Atonement. One goat was sacrificed as a sin offering, and the other, the scapegoat, was presented alive before the LORD. The Hebrew word for scapegoat is “Azazel,” which many understand as a name for a place of removal or a desolate region. The living goat was part of the atonement ritual, not a separate act. Its purpose was to make atonement and then be sent into the wilderness, carrying away the sins of the people. This visible act showed that sin was not only covered but also removed from the community.
Biblical connections
The scapegoat points to Jesus Christ. He is both the sacrifice for sin and the one who bears our sins away. Isaiah 53:6 says that the LORD laid on Him the iniquity of us all, and John 1:29 calls Him the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The wilderness represents separation from God’s presence, and Christ took that separation on our behalf. Hebrews 9:26 explains that He put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. The scapegoat also reminds us that God is both just and the justifier of those who trust in Christ.
Application
The specific rituals of Leviticus 16 no longer apply to believers today, but the principles remain. Through Jesus, believers have complete forgiveness and reconciliation with God. The scapegoat assures us that our sins are not only forgiven but also removed from God’s sight, as Psalm 103:12 says. This truth gives freedom from the burden of guilt and shame. It also shows the seriousness of sin and the need for a divinely provided means of removal. Believers can live with confidence, knowing that Christ’s work on the cross was final and complete.
Reflection
The scapegoat is a powerful picture of God’s grace. It shows that atonement is not merely a covering but a carrying away. Just as the goat was sent into a desolate land, Christ took our sins far from us. This truth calls for gratitude and trust. Because of Jesus, believers are free from the penalty and power of sin. They can approach God without fear, knowing that their sins have been fully dealt with. The Day of Atonement was a shadow of the real atonement to come, and that atonement is found in Christ alone.
