King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Then Aharon is to cast lots for the two goats, one lot for ADONAI and the other for 'Az'azel.
Berean Standard Bible:
After Aaron casts lots for the two goats, one for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat,
American Standard Version:
And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for Jehovah, and the other lot for Azazel.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And Aaron{H175} shall cast{H5414} lots{H1486} upon the two{H8147} goats{H8163}; one{H259} lot{H1486} for the LORD{H3068}, and the other{H259} lot{H1486} for the scapegoat{H5799}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Proverbs 16:33
- ¶ The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof [is] of the LORD.
Acts 1:23
- And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
Acts 1:26
- And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Jonah 1:7
- And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil [is] upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.
Numbers 33:54
- And ye shall divide the land by lot for an inheritance among your families: [and] to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer ye shall give the less inheritance: every man's [inheritance] shall be in the place where his lot falleth; according to the tribes of your fathers ye shall inherit.
Numbers 26:55
- Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit.
Ezekiel 48:29
- This [is] the land which ye shall divide by lot unto the tribes of Israel for inheritance, and these [are] their portions, saith the Lord GOD.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Leviticus 16:8
Leviticus 16:8 is a verse from the Torah, specifically within the context of the instructions given to Moses for the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), which is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. This day involves a ceremony for the cleansing of the Tabernacle (and later the Temple in Jerusalem) from the sins of the Israelites.
The historical context of this verse is set within the period of the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt, approximately in the 13th century BCE. The book of Leviticus is traditionally attributed to Moses and is part of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible.
The themes present in this verse include:
1. **Atonement and Forgiveness**: The ritual described is central to the concept of atonement in Judaism, where sacrifices and rituals are performed to seek divine forgiveness for sins.
2. **Divine Presence**: The ceremony emphasizes the importance of purity in the presence of God, as the sanctuary was the dwelling place of the LORD (Yahweh).
3. **Substitutionary Sacrifice**: The goats serve as substitutes for the people, with one being sacrificed and the other, the scapegoat, symbolically carrying the sins of the people into the wilderness.
4. **Ritual Purity**: The casting of lots is a method to determine the will of God in a manner that is considered fair and impartial, ensuring that the ritual is conducted according to divine will.
5. **Community Sin**: The ritual acknowledges the collective sin of the community and the need for communal repentance and cleansing.
6. **Separation of the Holy and the Common**: The division of the goats reflects the broader theme in Leviticus of distinguishing between the holy and the common, the pure and the impure.
In summary, Leviticus 16:8 describes a key moment in the Day of Atonement ritual, where lots are cast to determine the fate of two goats, one for sacrifice to the LORD and the other to be sent into the wilderness as a scapegoat, symbolizing the removal of the people's sins. This practice reflects the religious and cultural importance of purity, atonement, and the search for divine favor in ancient Israelite society.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H175
There are 480 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַהֲרוֹן
Transliteration: ʼAhărôwn
Pronunciation: a-har-one'
Description: of uncertain derivation; Aharon, the brother of Moses; Aaron. - Strong's Number: H5414
There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָתַן
Transliteration: nâthan
Pronunciation: naw-than'
Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. - Strong's Number: H1486
There are 67 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גּוֹרָל
Transliteration: gôwrâl
Pronunciation: go-rawl'
Description: or (shortened) גֹּרָל; from an unused root meaning to be rough (as stone); properly, a pebble, i.e. a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively, a portion or destiny (as if determined by lot); lot. - Strong's Number: H8147
There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׁנַיִם
Transliteration: shᵉnayim
Pronunciation: shen-ah'-yim
Description: dual of שֵׁנִי; feminine שְׁתַּיִם; two; also (as ordinal) twofold; both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. - Strong's Number: H8163
There are 57 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׂעִיר
Transliteration: sâʻîyr
Pronunciation: saw-eer'
Description: or שָׂעִר; from שָׂעַר; shaggy; as noun, a he-goat; by analogy, a faun; devil, goat, hairy, kid, rough, satyr. - Strong's Number: H259
There are 801 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶחָד
Transliteration: ʼechâd
Pronunciation: ekh-awd'
Description: a numeral from אָחַד; properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first; a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H5799
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֲזָאזֵל
Transliteration: ʻăzâʼzêl
Pronunciation: az-aw-zale'
Description: from עֵז and אָזַל; goat of departure; the scapegoat; scapegoat.