Leviticus 16:26

And he that let go the goat for the scapegoat shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward come into the camp.

And he that let go {H7971} the goat {H8163} for the scapegoat {H5799} shall wash {H3526} his clothes {H899}, and bathe {H7364} his flesh {H1320} in water {H4325}, and afterward {H310} come {H935} into the camp {H4264}.

"The man who let go the goat for 'Az'azel is to wash his clothes and bathe his body in water; afterwards, he may return to the camp.

The man who released the goat as the scapegoat must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water; afterward he may reenter the camp.

And he that letteth go the goat for Azazel shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp.

Commentary

Leviticus 16:26 is a key verse within the detailed instructions for the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the most solemn day in ancient Israel's religious calendar. This specific verse outlines the purification requirements for the individual who performed the crucial task of leading the "scapegoat" into the wilderness.

Context

The Day of Atonement, described extensively in Leviticus chapter 16, involved a complex ritual designed to atone for the sins of the entire Israelite community. Central to this was the use of two goats. One goat was sacrificed as a sin offering, while the other, known as the "scapegoat" (Hebrew: azazel), was designated to carry the sins of the people away into the desolate wilderness. The act of sending the goat away, after the high priest symbolically laid the sins of the people upon its head (Leviticus 16:21), represented the removal of sin from the camp. This verse emphasizes that anyone involved in handling such a sin-laden object, even if performing a divinely commanded task, still required ritual cleansing before re-entering the holy camp.

Key Themes

  • Ritual Purity and Holiness: The requirement to wash clothes and bathe underscores the pervasive nature of impurity associated with sin. Even contact with the symbolic bearer of sin necessitated thorough purification to maintain the camp's holiness. This highlights God's absolute standard of purity.
  • Separation from Sin: The act of sending the scapegoat away symbolized the removal of sin from the presence of God's people. The purification of the one who released it further reinforced the idea that sin (and its effects) must be completely detached from the community.
  • Thoroughness of Atonement: The detailed regulations for the Day of Atonement, including this purification, demonstrate the comprehensive and meticulous nature of God's provision for dealing with sin. It was not a superficial act but required careful adherence to divine instructions.

Linguistic Insights

The term "scapegoat" comes from the Hebrew azazel (Χ’Φ²Χ–ΦΈΧΧ–Φ΅Χœ), which literally means "goat of removal" or "for Azazel," referring to the goat sent away into the wilderness. The purification ritual for the one who "let go the goat" (sent it away) highlights that even proximity to sin, or the process of dealing with it, rendered one ritually unclean and necessitated a return to a state of purity through washing and bathing.

Practical Application

While the specific ritual of the scapegoat is no longer practiced, its underlying principles offer profound spiritual lessons. This verse reminds us that dealing with sin, even in the context of ministry or helping others, can expose us to its defiling effects. It emphasizes the need for spiritual cleansing and ongoing purification. For Christians, this thorough purification is ultimately found in the atoning work of Jesus Christ, who became our ultimate sin-bearer. Just as the ancient Israelite needed to be cleansed to re-enter the camp, believers today rely on Christ's blood for spiritual cleansing and to maintain fellowship with a holy God (1 John 1:7). The verse also subtly teaches us about the importance of spiritual hygiene after engaging with the world's impurities or ministering in difficult, sin-laden environments.

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Cross-References

  • Hebrews 7:19

    For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope [did]; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

  • 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 16:28

    And he that burneth them shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp.

  • Leviticus 14:8

    And he that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean: and after that he shall come into the camp, and shall tarry abroad out of his tent seven days.

  • Leviticus 15:27

    And whosoever toucheth those things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes, and bathe [himself] in water, and be unclean until the even.

  • Leviticus 16:21

    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:

  • Leviticus 16:22

    And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.
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