“And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness.”
Background and Context: Leviticus is part of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible, traditionally attributed to Moses. It contains the laws and regulations given by God to the Israelites, particularly focusing on the role of the priests and the tabernacle worship.
Leviticus 16 describes the Day of Atonement, also known as Yom Kippur, which was a sacred day of fasting and repentance for the Israelites. On this day, the high priest, in this case, Aaron, would make atonement for the sins of the people and the sanctuary.
Meaning and Significance: In verse 21, Aaron, as the high priest, is instructed to lay his hands upon the head of a live goat. This act of laying hands symbolizes the transfer of the sins and guilt of the people onto the goat. By confessing the iniquities, transgressions, and sins of the children of Israel over the goat, the sins are metaphorically placed on the animal.
The purpose of this ritual is to represent the removal and separation of the sins of the people from the community. The goat, known as the scapegoat, would then be sent away into the wilderness, symbolically carrying away the sins of the people.
Symbolism and Foreshadowing: The Day of Atonement and the ritual described in Leviticus 16:21 foreshadow the ultimate atonement for sins through Jesus Christ in Christian theology. The scapegoat represents Jesus, who would bear the sins of humanity and take them away.
In the New Testament, John the Baptist referred to Jesus as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Jesus, as the perfect sacrifice, offered Himself on the cross to bear the sins of humanity and provide forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
The laying on of hands also finds significance in the New Testament, as it was used to symbolize the transfer of sins. In 2 Corinthians 5:21, it is said, “For He [God] made Him [Jesus] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
Lessons and Applications:
- Atonement for Sin: Leviticus 16:21 reminds us of the seriousness of sin and the need for atonement. It teaches us that sin creates a barrier between us and God, and a sacrifice is necessary to restore the relationship. For Christians, Jesus Christ is the ultimate sacrifice who takes away our sins and provides a way for reconciliation with God.
- Confession and Repentance: The act of confessing sins over the scapegoat emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and confessing our wrongdoings before God. Confession brings about repentance, a turning away from sin and a desire to live a righteous life.
- Separation from Sin: The sending away of the scapegoat symbolizes the removal of sin from the community. It teaches us the importance of separating ourselves from sin and striving to live a holy life dedicated to God.
- Christ’s Atonement and Forgiveness: The ritual described in Leviticus 16:21 points to Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross, where He took upon Himself the sins of humanity. Through faith in Him, we can receive forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
In conclusion, Leviticus 16:21 portrays the ritual of the Day of Atonement, where the high priest would lay hands on a live goat, confess the sins of the people, and send it away into the wilderness. This ritual foreshadows Jesus Christ as the ultimate sacrifice, who takes away our sins and provides atonement and forgiveness for all who believe in Him.
