Leviticus 16:9

Leviticus 16:9 (KJV) details a crucial part of the annual Day of Atonement ritual, known in Hebrew as Yom Kippur. This verse specifically describes the fate of one of two goats chosen for the ceremony: the goat designated by divine lot to be offered as a sin offering to the LORD.

Context

This verse is embedded within the detailed instructions for the Day of Atonement, the most solemn day in the ancient Israelite calendar. On this day, the High Priest, Aaron, performed elaborate rituals to cleanse the tabernacle and the people from their sins accumulated over the year. Two goats were brought before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. Lots were cast over them: one lot for the LORD and the other lot for Azazel (often understood as the "scapegoat"). Leviticus 16:9 focuses on the first goat, the one chosen by lot for the LORD, which was to be sacrificed.

Key Themes

• Atonement for Sin: The primary purpose of this goat's sacrifice was to make atonement for the sins of the people. The blood of this offering was then taken into the Most Holy Place by the High Priest to purify the sanctuary from the defilement of Israel's transgressions. This foreshadowed a greater cleansing.
• Divine Selection: The use of lots (a method of divine discernment) ensured that the choice of which goat was for the LORD and which was for Azazel was not arbitrary but divinely ordained. This emphasized God's active involvement in the process of atonement.
• High Priestly Role: Aaron, as the High Priest, was the designated mediator between God and the people. His actions in offering this sin offering were essential for the nation's spiritual well-being and reconciliation with God.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew term for "sin offering" is chatta't (חַטָּאת). Interestingly, this word can refer both to "sin" itself and to the "offering for sin." This dual meaning highlights the close connection between the transgression and the prescribed means of dealing with it. The chatta't offering served to purify and cleanse from ritual impurity and unintentional sins, symbolically dealing with the barrier sin created between God and His people.

Strategic Cross-References

While this goat was sacrificed for a sin offering, its counterpart, the scapegoat for Azazel, was released into the wilderness, symbolically carrying away the sins of the people (Leviticus 16:21-22). Together, these two goats presented a complete picture of God's provision for dealing with sin: both the propitiation through sacrifice and the removal of guilt. The ultimate fulfillment of these Old Testament sacrifices is found in Jesus Christ, who offered Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sin offering, making eternal redemption possible and removing the need for repeated animal sacrifices (Hebrews 10:10).

Practical Application

Leviticus 16:9 reminds us of the seriousness of sin and God's unwavering commitment to provide a way for reconciliation. It underscores that atonement always requires a costly sacrifice. For believers today, this ancient ritual points us to the profound truth that our sins are atoned for not by animal blood, but by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. It encourages us to appreciate the depth of God's grace and the completeness of His forgiveness, knowing that through Christ, our sins are truly dealt with and carried away.