Leviticus 16:21

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

And Aaron {H175} shall lay {H5564} both {H8147} his hands {H3027} upon the head {H7218} of the live {H2416} goat {H8163}, and confess {H3034} over him all the iniquities {H5771} of the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, and all their transgressions {H6588} in all their sins {H2403}, putting {H5414} them upon the head {H7218} of the goat {H8163}, and shall send him away {H7971} by the hand {H3027} of a fit {H6261} man {H376} into the wilderness {H4057}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Aharon is to lay both his hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the transgressions, crimes and sins of the people of Isra'el; he is to put them on the head of the goat and then send it away into the desert with a man appointed for the purpose.

Berean Standard Bible

Then he is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the iniquities and rebellious acts of the Israelites in regard to all their sins. He is to put them on the goat’s head and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man appointed for the task.

American Standard Version

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, even all their sins; and he shall put them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a man that is in readiness into the wilderness:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 16:21 details a crucial component of the Day of Atonement ritual, where Aaron, the High Priest, symbolically transfers the collective sins of the Israelite nation onto a live goat (the "scapegoat") by laying his hands on its head and confessing all their iniquities, transgressions, and sins. This act culminates in the goat being sent away into the wilderness by a designated man, signifying the complete removal and banishment of the people's sin from the community, a profound demonstration of God's provision for atonement and purification.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the meticulous instructions for Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, as outlined in [Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement"). The chapter describes a complex, annual ritual designed to cleanse the tabernacle, the priesthood, and the entire nation from sin and uncleanness, ensuring God's continued presence among His people. Immediately preceding this verse, the text describes the sacrifice of one goat as a sin offering to the Lord, whose blood was brought into the Most Holy Place by Aaron to make atonement for himself, his household, and the congregation ([Leviticus 16:15-19](/leviticus/16-15 "Leviticus 16:15-19 - The Sin Offering for the People")). Following the actions with the first goat, the focus shifts to the second goat, the "live goat," which is the subject of [Leviticus 16:21](/leviticus/16-21 "Leviticus 16:21 - The Scapegoat Ritual"). The subsequent verses detail the goat's expulsion into an uninhabited land, ensuring the complete removal of the confessed sins from the community's sight and memory ([Leviticus 16:22](/leviticus/16-22 "Leviticus 16:22 - The Scapegoat Sent Away")). The entire chapter culminates in the command for perpetual observance of this day as a solemn Sabbath and a day of affliction for their souls, emphasizing its enduring significance for national purification ([Leviticus 16:29-34](/leviticus/16-29 "Leviticus 16:29-34 - Perpetual Observance of Yom Kippur")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) was the most sacred and solemn day in the ancient Israelite calendar, observed annually on the tenth day of the seventh month. It was the only day of the year when the High Priest was permitted to enter the Most Holy Place (the Holy of Holies) of the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, to perform specific rites of atonement for the sins of the entire nation. The ritual involved two goats, chosen by lot: one "for the Lord" and one "for Azazel" (often translated as "scapegoat"). The goat "for the Lord" was sacrificed as a sin offering, its blood used to purify the sanctuary. The "live goat" or "scapegoat" was central to the ritual described in [Leviticus 16:21](/leviticus/16-21 "Leviticus 16:21 - The Scapegoat Ritual"). The laying on of hands was a common practice in ancient Israelite rituals, signifying identification, transfer, or dedication. In this context, it symbolized the transfer of the nation's guilt onto the animal. The concept of "Azazel" is debated among scholars, potentially referring to a desolate place, a demonic entity, or simply the goat itself as it is sent away. Regardless of the precise meaning of Azazel, the ritual's purpose was unequivocally clear: to remove the collective sin and impurity of the community, ensuring God's holy presence could remain among them without consuming them. This annual cleansing was vital for maintaining the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Iniquities (Hebrew, _ʿāwōn_):** This term often refers to the perversity, crookedness, or guilt associated with sin. It emphasizes the moral distortion or deviation from God's righteous standard, highlighting the burden and consequence of wrongdoing. It speaks to the inherent wrongness of an act and the culpability it brings.
* **Transgressions (Hebrew, _pešaʿ_):** This word denotes rebellion, revolt, or a breach of trust. It implies a deliberate overstepping of boundaries, a defiant act against an established authority or covenant. Unlike a simple mistake, _pešaʿ_ suggests an intentional breaking of relationship or law, carrying a stronger connotation of willful disobedience.
* **Sins (Hebrew, _ḥaṭṭāʾt_):** This is the most common and comprehensive term for sin, literally meaning "to miss the mark" or "to fall short." It encompasses any failure to meet God's perfect standard, whether intentional or unintentional, in thought, word, or deed. Aaron's confession of all three terms ensured a comprehensive covering and symbolic transfer of every conceivable type of Israelite wrongdoing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat,"**: This action is profoundly symbolic. The laying of hands signifies the transfer of identity or burden. Here, it is the High Priest, representing the entire nation, who places the collective guilt and defilement of Israel onto the innocent animal. The "live goat" is distinct from the goat sacrificed for the sin offering; it is designated specifically for the removal of sin.
* **"and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins,"**: This is the verbal component of the transfer. Aaron vocalizes the vast array of the nation's wrongdoings—their perversities, rebellions, and failures to meet God's standard. This public confession acknowledges the depth and breadth of Israel's sinfulness, making explicit what is being transferred.
* **"putting them upon the head of the goat,"**: This phrase reiterates and emphasizes the symbolic transfer. The sins, previously confessed, are now explicitly "placed" or "imputed" onto the goat. This is not merely a verbal declaration but a ritual act of imputation, making the goat the bearer of the nation's guilt.
* **"and shall send [him] away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:"**: The final act of the ritual, the expulsion of the goat, signifies the complete removal and banishment of the sins from the community. The "fit man" (or "designated man") ensures the goat reaches an uninhabited, desolate place, never to return, visually demonstrating that the confessed sins are carried far away, out of sight and out of mind, from the camp of Israel.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 16:21 is rich in **Symbolism** and **Ritual Drama**. The entire act of laying hands, confessing sins, and sending the goat into the wilderness is a powerful symbolic representation of the transfer and removal of sin. The goat itself is a **Symbol** of a sin-bearer or substitute, taking on the defilement of the people. The wilderness, a place of desolation and separation, serves as a **Symbol** of complete removal and forgetfulness, ensuring the sins are truly gone from the community. The **Ritual Drama** of the Day of Atonement, particularly this scene, is designed to be highly visual and impactful, impressing upon the Israelites the gravity of sin, the meticulousness of God's provision for atonement, and the assurance of His cleansing power. The distinct roles of the two goats—one sacrificed, one sent away—form a **Juxtaposition** that highlights two aspects of atonement: the shedding of blood for propitiation and the complete removal of guilt. Furthermore, the entire ritual functions as a profound **Type** or **Foreshadowing**, pointing forward to the ultimate and perfect atonement provided through Jesus Christ.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 16:21 profoundly illustrates God's meticulous provision for dealing with sin, emphasizing both the gravity of human transgression and the completeness of divine forgiveness. The ritual of the scapegoat underscores the principle of substitutionary atonement, where an innocent party bears the guilt of others. This act was not merely a covering of sin but a symbolic removal, signifying God's desire for a truly cleansed and reconciled relationship with His people. The comprehensive confession of "all iniquities, transgressions, and sins" highlights the totality of human fallenness and the need for an equally comprehensive divine remedy, a remedy that would ultimately be found in Christ.

* [Isaiah 53:6](/isaiah/53-6 "Isaiah 53:6 - All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray")
* [Hebrews 9:28](/hebrews/9-28 "Hebrews 9:28 - Christ Bore Our Sins")
* [Psalm 103:12](/psalms/103-12 "Psalm 103:12 - As Far as the East is From the West")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The ancient ritual of the scapegoat, though no longer practiced, offers timeless spiritual truths that resonate deeply with the human condition. It reminds us of the profound burden of sin—not just individual acts, but the collective weight of human rebellion and failure to meet God's holy standard. It vividly portrays God's compassionate and meticulous provision for dealing with this burden, demonstrating His desire to remove sin far from us and restore fellowship. For us today, this passage invites us to reflect on the nature of our own sin, acknowledging its pervasive impact. More importantly, it points us to the ultimate fulfillment of this ritual in Christ, prompting us to embrace the complete and final atonement He accomplished. We are called to confess our sins, not to a goat, but to the living God, trusting in the finished work of Jesus, who truly carried our sins away. This should lead to profound gratitude, deep assurance of forgiveness, and a renewed commitment to live in the freedom and holiness that His sacrifice provides.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of the scapegoat help you understand the weight and consequences of sin?**
* **In what ways does this ancient ritual deepen your appreciation for the completeness of Christ's work on the cross?**
* **What does it mean for you personally that your sins have been "carried away" by Jesus, as far as the east is from the west?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Aaron laying his hands on the goat's head?**

Answer: The laying of hands was a common ritual gesture in ancient Israel, signifying identification, transfer, or dedication. In the context of [Leviticus 16:21](/leviticus/16-21 "Leviticus 16:21 - The Scapegoat Ritual"), Aaron, as the High Priest and representative of the entire nation, laid his hands on the head of the live goat to symbolically transfer the collective sins, iniquities, and transgressions of the children of Israel onto the animal. This act visually and ritually imputed the nation's guilt onto the goat, making it the bearer of their defilement before it was sent away into the wilderness. It was a powerful demonstration of substitution, where the goat became identified with the sins of the people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The ritual of the scapegoat, as described in [Leviticus 16:21](/leviticus/16-21 "Leviticus 16:21 - The Scapegoat Ritual"), finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament ritual provided a temporary, annual covering and symbolic removal of sin, Jesus' sacrifice on the cross accomplished a once-for-all, definitive atonement. Just as Aaron laid hands on the goat, symbolically placing the nation's sins upon it, God "made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). Jesus is the true Lamb of God, proclaimed by John the Baptist as the one "who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). He bore our sins in His own body on the tree ([1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins")), carrying them away not into a literal wilderness, but into the depths of His own suffering and death, thereby utterly vanquishing their power and guilt. Through His shed blood, we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins ([Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption Through His Blood")), and are assured that our transgressions have been removed from us as far as the east is from the west ([Psalm 103:12](/psalms/103-12 "Psalm 103:12 - God's Removal of Sin")). Jesus is our ultimate Scapegoat, not merely covering our sins, but completely removing them, granting us access to a new and living way into God's presence ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access to God Through Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Corinthians 5:21

For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Isaiah 53:6

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Ezra 10:1

¶ Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore.

Psalms 51:3

For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin [is] ever before me.

Exodus 29:10

And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the bullock.

Psalms 32:5

I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

Daniel 9:3

And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: