Leviticus 23:19

KJV

Then ye shall sacrifice one kid of the goats for a sin offering, and two lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace offerings.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then ye shall sacrifice {H6213} one {H259} kid {H8163} of the goats {H5795} for a sin offering {H2403}, and two {H8147} lambs {H3532} of the first {H1121} year {H8141} for a sacrifice {H2077} of peace offerings {H8002}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Offer one male goat as a sin offering and two male lambs one year old as a sacrifice of peace offerings

Berean Standard Bible

You shall also prepare one male goat as a sin offering and two male lambs a year old as a peace offering.

American Standard Version

And ye shall offer one he-goat for a sin-offering, and two he-lambs a year old for a sacrifice of peace-offerings.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 23:19 prescribes specific sacrificial requirements for the ancient Israelites during the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot or Pentecost). Following the presentation of the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, these offerings included a kid of the goats for a sin offering and two lambs for peace offerings. This dual requirement underscored the community's ongoing need for atonement and purification, even amidst joyous celebration, while simultaneously emphasizing the importance of fellowship and thanksgiving to God for His bountiful provision.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of [Leviticus chapter 23](/leviticus/23 "Leviticus 23 - The Lord's Appointed Feasts"), which meticulously details the Lord's appointed feasts or festivals, known as *mo'adim*. The Feast of Weeks, specifically outlined in [Leviticus 23:15-22](/leviticus/23-15 "Leviticus 23:15-22 - The Feast of Weeks"), marked the culmination of the grain harvest, occurring fifty days after the presentation of the barley sheaf during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It was a time of profound thanksgiving for God's agricultural provision, symbolized by the offering of two loaves of leavened bread, representing the firstfruits of the wheat harvest. However, even in this joyous context, the prescribed sacrifices, including the sin and peace offerings of verse 19, highlighted the Israelites' perpetual need for divine forgiveness and purification to maintain their covenant relationship with a holy God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The agricultural calendar was deeply intertwined with the spiritual life of ancient Israel, reflecting their dependence on God for sustenance and blessing. The Feast of Weeks, known as "Shavuot" in Hebrew and later "Pentecost" in Greek (meaning "fiftieth"), was one of the three annual pilgrimage festivals where all Israelite males were required to appear before the Lord in Jerusalem. This feast celebrated the completion of the grain harvest, a vital part of their agrarian economy. Culturally, the offerings were not merely ritualistic but were tangible expressions of gratitude, acknowledgment of sin, and the desire for communal harmony with God and one another. The specific animals and their purposes (sin offering for purification, peace offering for fellowship and thanksgiving) were well-understood within the Israelite sacrificial system, reinforcing the covenantal obligations and the constant need for divine grace.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Kid of the goats (Hebrew, _sa'ir izzim'_):** This specific animal, a male goat, was commonly prescribed for the *chatta't* or "sin offering." In the Israelite sacrificial system, the goat often symbolized a substitute for the community's unintentional sins or ritual impurity. Its sacrifice served to cleanse and purify the offerer or the community, making atonement and restoring a right standing before God.
* **Sin offering (Hebrew, _chatta't'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to miss the mark" or "to err," the *chatta't* was primarily an offering for purification rather than solely for moral guilt. It addressed unintentional sins, ritual defilement, and impurities that rendered an individual or the community unfit to approach a holy God. The blood of this offering was crucial, signifying life given for life, and its application purified the altar and, by extension, the people.
* **Peace offerings (Hebrew, _shelem'_):** This term is derived from the Hebrew root *shalom*, meaning "peace," "wholeness," "completeness," or "well-being." Unlike the sin offering, the *shelem* was a voluntary offering made to express gratitude, fulfill a vow, or simply to enjoy fellowship with God. A significant portion of this offering was consumed by the offerer and the priests, symbolizing a communal meal shared with God, fostering a sense of reconciliation, communion, and abundant blessing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then ye shall sacrifice one kid of the goats for a sin offering":** This command emphasizes the mandatory nature of this purification rite, even in the context of a joyous harvest festival. The "kid of the goats" serves as the prescribed animal for the *chatta't*, signifying the community's need for atonement for any unintentional sins or impurities that might have accumulated. This act ensures that the people are ritually clean and acceptable in God's presence as they celebrate His provision.
* **"and two lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace offerings":** The inclusion of two unblemished lambs for *shelem* offerings highlights the communal and celebratory aspect of the Feast of Weeks. These offerings are made to express profound gratitude for the harvest and God's faithfulness, and to foster a sense of peace, fellowship, and communion with the Lord. The "first year" indicates that these are young, prime animals, representing the best of the flock, offered in thanksgiving and devotion. The "two" lambs suggest the abundance of the offering and perhaps the participation of the entire community in this act of worship and shared meal with God.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 23:19 employs several literary devices that enhance its meaning and impact. **Prescriptive Language** is evident in the imperative "ye shall sacrifice," underscoring the divine authority and the non-negotiable nature of these commands within the covenant. This direct instruction emphasizes obedience as a cornerstone of Israel's relationship with God. **Symbolism** is central, as the specific animals (goat and lambs) and the types of offerings (sin and peace) carry profound theological meaning. The goat symbolizes the means of purification and atonement for sin, while the lambs symbolize fellowship, wholeness, and thanksgiving. The juxtaposition of the two types of offerings creates a significant **Contrast**, highlighting that even amidst celebration and thanksgiving (peace offering), the reality of human sin and the need for purification (sin offering) must always be addressed. This contrast reveals the comprehensive nature of God's provision for His people—both forgiveness and fellowship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 23:19 powerfully illustrates foundational theological truths: the persistent reality of human sin, the absolute necessity of divine atonement, and God's gracious provision for both purification and intimate fellowship. Even in moments of national celebration and thanksgiving, Israel was reminded that their relationship with a holy God required continuous cleansing. The sin offering addressed the brokenness caused by sin, while the peace offering celebrated the wholeness and communion God desired with His people. Together, they underscored that true peace and joy are only possible when sin has been dealt with and a right relationship with the Creator is established and maintained.

* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness")
* [Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ is our peace")
* [Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciling all things through Christ's blood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament are no longer binding for believers today, the timeless principles embedded in Leviticus 23:19 remain profoundly relevant. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of our ongoing need for forgiveness, which is now fully provided through the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It also calls us to cultivate a life characterized by peace and fellowship with God, nurtured through prayer, worship, and obedience. Just as the Israelites brought their firstfruits and specific offerings as expressions of gratitude and dependence, we are called to respond to God's abundant grace with heartfelt thanksgiving, generosity, and devoted service. Our worship should reflect both a humble acknowledgment of our sin and a joyful celebration of the peace and communion we have in Christ, prompting us to live lives that honor Him and share His peace with others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the specific purposes of the sin offering and peace offering deepen your appreciation for the comprehensive nature of Christ's work on the cross?**
* **In what practical ways can you cultivate a deeper sense of peace and fellowship with God in your daily life, mirroring the spirit of the peace offering?**
* **Considering the Israelites' gratitude for the harvest, how can you more intentionally express your thankfulness for God's provision in your life, both spiritually and materially?**

### FAQ
**Why were both a sin offering and peace offerings required for the Feast of Weeks?**

Answer: The requirement for both a sin offering and peace offerings during the Feast of Weeks highlights a crucial theological tension and resolution. The sin offering (a kid of the goats) was necessary to address the community's unintentional sins and ritual impurities, ensuring they could stand purified before a holy God, even amidst celebration. It acknowledged that despite joyous thanksgiving, human sinfulness persisted. The peace offerings (two lambs) were then offered to express profound gratitude for God's bountiful provision (the harvest) and to foster a sense of communal fellowship and well-being with Him. Thus, the sin offering prepared the way by dealing with defilement, while the peace offerings celebrated the restored communion and blessing. This dual requirement underscored that true fellowship with God is only possible when sin has been adequately addressed, emphasizing both atonement and communion as foundational to their covenant relationship.

**What is the significance of "lambs of the first year" for the peace offerings?**

Answer: The specification of "lambs of the first year" for the peace offerings signifies that these were young, unblemished, and prime animals. In the Israelite sacrificial system, offerings were to be "without blemish" ([Leviticus 22:19](/leviticus/22-19 "Leviticus 22:19 - Offerings must be without blemish")), representing the highest quality and the best of what the offerer possessed. Offering animals of the "first year" ensured their purity, vitality, and prime condition, symbolizing the offerer's sincere devotion and the immense value placed on the act of worship and thanksgiving. This emphasis on offering the best foreshadows the ultimate, perfect sacrifice of [Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), who was without blemish or spot.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 23:19 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "kid of the goats for a sin offering," which served to purify and atone for the Israelites' sins, ultimately points to Christ as the perfect and final [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). His single, definitive sacrifice on the cross rendered all Old Testament sin offerings obsolete, providing a complete and eternal atonement for humanity's sin ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all")). Furthermore, the "two lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace offerings," symbolizing wholeness, well-being, and communion with God, are fully realized in Christ. He is our true peace ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ is our peace")), who has reconciled us to God through His blood, breaking down the dividing wall of hostility and bringing us into a state of blessed fellowship ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciling all things through Christ's blood")). The Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost, itself finds its New Testament fulfillment in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit ([Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1 "Acts 2:1-4 - The Day of Pentecost")), empowering believers to live in the reality of Christ's completed work—forgiveness of sins and an abiding peace with God, enabling true spiritual communion and thanksgiving. The "firstfruits" theme of the feast is also fulfilled in Christ's resurrection as the [firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ the firstfruits of the resurrection"), guaranteeing our future resurrection and eternal fellowship with God.

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.