2 Chronicles 29:23

And they brought forth the he goats [for] the sin offering before the king and the congregation; and they laid their hands upon them:

And they brought forth {H5066} the he goats {H8163} for the sin offering {H2403} before {H6440} the king {H4428} and the congregation {H6951}; and they laid {H5564} their hands {H3027} upon them:

After bringing the male goats for the sin offering close to the king and the assembly and laying their hands on them,

Then they brought the goats for the sin offering before the king and the assembly, who laid their hands on them.

And they brought near the he-goats for the sin-offering before the king and the assembly; and they laid their hands upon them:

Commentary

2 Chronicles 29:23 describes a crucial step in King Hezekiah's restoration of true worship in Judah. Following the cleansing of the Temple, the priests brought specific animals for various sacrifices, and this verse focuses on the sin offering.

Context

This verse is set in the early reign of King Hezekiah, who immediately embarked on a mission to reverse the idolatrous practices of his father, Ahaz. Hezekiah initiated a widespread spiritual revival, beginning with the purification and rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem, which had been defiled. The sequence of events in 2 Chronicles 29 details the cleansing of the sanctuary, the gathering of the priests and Levites, and the re-establishment of the sacrificial system as commanded by Moses. The bringing forth of the he-goats for the sin offering was an essential part of this comprehensive ceremony of atonement and purification for the entire nation.

Key Themes

  • Atonement for Sin: The primary purpose of the he-goats was to serve as a sin offering (Hebrew: chatta't). This sacrifice was designed to cleanse the people and the sanctuary from defilement caused by sin, making it possible for God's presence to dwell among them and for worship to proceed.
  • Corporate Responsibility: The phrase "before the king and the congregation" highlights that this was a national act of repentance and purification. The sins being atoned for were not just individual transgressions but the collective spiritual failings of the entire nation and its leaders.
  • Identification and Transfer of Guilt: The act of "they laid their hands upon them" was a ritualistic gesture symbolizing the transfer of the sins and impurities of the king and the people onto the innocent animal. This act was common in Old Testament sacrifices, signifying identification with the offering.
  • Restoration of Proper Worship: This sin offering, along with other sacrifices, was foundational to Hezekiah's efforts to bring Judah back into right relationship with God and restore the divinely ordained forms of worship.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term for "sin offering" is chatta't (Χ—Φ·Χ˜ΦΈΦΌΧΧͺ), which literally means "sin" but in a sacrificial context refers to the offering made for sin. It emphasizes the need for purification from ritual impurity and moral transgression that separates man from God. The act of "laying hands" (Hebrew: samak) signifies a profound connection or transfer, in this case, the symbolic transfer of guilt and sin from the worshiper to the animal designated for sacrifice.

Significance and Application

This verse illustrates the Old Testament principle that sin requires atonement and that the shedding of blood was necessary for purification. The meticulous detail of these rituals, including the sin offering, underscored the holiness of God and the gravity of sin. While these rituals provided a temporary covering for sin, they ultimately foreshadowed the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. As the Lamb of God, Jesus became the once-for-all sin offering, bearing the sins of humanity upon Himself, making it possible for all who believe to receive complete forgiveness and reconciliation with God. Today, this reminds us of the importance of acknowledging our sin and relying on Christ's sacrifice for our cleansing and spiritual restoration, both individually and corporately as the church.

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Cross-References

  • Leviticus 4:15

    And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands upon the head of the bullock before the LORD: and the bullock shall be killed before the LORD.

  • Leviticus 4:24

    And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the goat, and kill it in the place where they kill the burnt offering before the LORD: it [is] a sin offering.

  • Leviticus 1:4

    And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.
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