Leviticus / Chapter 16

Leviticus 16

34 verses • Westminster Leningrad Codex 1 tradition available

Translator's Introduction

What This Chapter Is About

God prescribes the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the annual ritual in which the high priest enters the Most Holy Place to purify the sanctuary and remove Israel's sins. Aaron offers a bull for his own sin, then two goats for the people -- one slaughtered with blood sprinkled on the atonement cover, the other sent alive into the wilderness bearing Israel's sins.

What Makes This Chapter Remarkable

This is the theological center of Leviticus. The chapter exists because of Nadab and Abihu's death (v1) -- unauthorized access killed them; Yom Kippur establishes authorized access. The dual-goat ritual is unique: one dies (blood covers sin) and one lives (carrying sin away). Together they accomplish what neither could alone -- complete removal. The high priest strips to plain linen, entering God's presence in humility, not splendor.

Translation Friction

We rendered kapporet as "atonement cover" rather than "mercy seat" (KJV) because the Hebrew root k-p-r ("to cover, to atone") is the chapter's governing concept. Azazel remains one of the most debated terms in Leviticus -- a proper name? a place? "the goat that goes away"? -- and we transliterated it without forcing a single interpretation. The phrase lo yavo vekhol-et ("not at just any time," v2) required precision: access is restricted, not forbidden.

Connections

Hebrews 9:7-12 reads Yom Kippur as fulfilled in Christ's entry into the heavenly sanctuary. The scapegoat anticipates John the Baptist's declaration (John 1:29). The incense cloud protecting the priest (v13) echoes the cloud on Sinai (Exod 19:9). The "tenth day of the seventh month" (v29) remains the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. **Tradition comparisons:** Targum Onkelos interprets this chapter with notable Aramaic renderings: God's presence above the mercy seat on Yom Kippur is rendered as the revelation of his glory (yeqar) in the cloud. The High Priest encounters the glory, not God's unmediated self. See the [Targum Onkelos on Leviticus](/targum/leviticus).

Leviticus 16:1

וַיְדַבֵּ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה אַחֲרֵ֣י מ֔וֹת שְׁנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֣י אַהֲרֹ֑ן בְּקׇרְבָתָ֥ם לִפְנֵי־יְהֹוָ֖ה וַיָּמֻֽתוּ׃

The LORD spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they drew near before the LORD and died.

KJV And the LORD spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered before the LORD, and died;

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The chapter opens with the death of Nadab and Abihu (ch10) as its immediate context. Unauthorized approach to God killed Aaron's sons; chapter 16 establishes the authorized approach. The Day of Atonement exists because casual access to the Most Holy Place is lethal.
Leviticus 16:2

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֗ה דַּבֵּר֮ אֶל־אַהֲרֹ֣ן אָחִ֒יךָ֒ וְאַל־יָבֹ֤א בְכׇל־עֵת֙ אֶל־הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ מִבֵּ֖ית לַפָּרֹ֑כֶת אֶל־פְּנֵ֨י הַכַּפֹּ֜רֶת אֲשֶׁ֤ר עַל־הָאָרֹן֙ וְלֹ֣א יָמ֔וּת כִּ֚י בֶּֽעָנָ֔ן אֵרָאֶ֖ה עַל־הַכַּפֹּֽרֶת׃

The LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron your brother that he shall not come at just any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the atonement cover that is on the ark, so that he does not die, for I will appear in the cloud above the atonement cover.

KJV And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

כַּפֹּרֶת kapporet
"atonement cover" — mercy seat, atonement cover, place of covering, propitiatory

The kapporet is the theological center of Yom Kippur. It is simultaneously the lid of the ark, the throne of God between the cherubim, and the place where blood is sprinkled to cover sin. Everything in this chapter points toward and away from this single object.

Translator Notes

  1. 'Not at just any time' (al yavo vekhol-et) — access to God's innermost presence is restricted to one day per year, by one person, with specific preparation. The cloud above the kapporet is God's visible presence (the Shekhinah); entering without authorization means entering God's lethal holiness without protection.

Targum Onkelos (Aramaic, 1st-5th c. CE)shekinah

"For in the cloud my glory will be revealed upon the mercy seat."

God's presence above the mercy seat on Yom Kippur is rendered as the revelation of his glory (yeqar) in the cloud. The High Priest encounters the glory, not God's unmediated self.

Leviticus 16:3

בְּזֹ֛את יָבֹ֥א אַהֲרֹ֖ן אֶל־הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ בְּפַ֧ר בֶּן־בָּקָ֛ר לְחַטָּ֖את וְאַ֥יִל לְעֹלָֽה׃

Aaron shall enter the Holy Place with this: a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering.

KJV Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place: with a young bullock for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The required offerings: a bull (for Aaron's own sin) and a ram (for burnt offering). The high priest must atone for himself before he can atone for the people. The mediator is not exempt from the system he administers.
Leviticus 16:4

כְּתֹֽנֶת־בַּ֨ד קֹ֜דֶשׁ יִלְבָּ֗שׁ וּמִֽכְנְסֵי־בַד֮ יִהְי֣וּ עַל־בְּשָׂרוֹ֒ וּבְאַבְנֵ֥ט בַּד֙ יַחְגֹּ֔ר וּבְמִצְנֶ֥פֶת בַּ֖ד יִצְנֹ֑ף בִּגְדֵי־קֹ֣דֶשׁ הֵ֔ם וְרָחַ֥ץ בַּמַּ֛יִם אֶת־בְּשָׂר֖וֹ וּלְבֵשָֽׁם׃

He shall put on the holy linen tunic, and the linen undergarments shall be on his body. He shall tie the linen sash around his waist and wear the linen turban. These are holy garments. He shall bathe his body in water and then put them on.

KJV He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. White linen garments replace the ornate priestly vestments (ch28). On Yom Kippur, the high priest strips down to the simplest garments — no gold, no gems, no blue-purple-scarlet. He enters God's presence not in glory but in humility. The linen represents purity and simplicity; the absence of gold represents the absence of human splendor before divine holiness.
Leviticus 16:5

וּמֵאֵ֗ת עֲדַת֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל יִקַּ֛ח שְׁנֵֽי־שְׂעִירֵ֥י עִזִּ֖ים לְחַטָּ֑את וְאַ֥יִל אֶחָ֖ד לְעֹלָֽה׃

From the congregation of the sons of Israel he shall take two male goats for a sin offering and one ram for a burnt offering.

KJV And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Two goats for one sin offering — the dual-goat ritual is unique to Yom Kippur. One goat will be sacrificed (v15); the other will be sent away alive (v21-22). Together they represent the complete removal of sin: blood covers it, and the scapegoat carries it away.
Leviticus 16:6

וְהִקְרִ֧יב אַהֲרֹ֛ן אֶת־פַּ֥ר הַחַטָּ֖את אֲשֶׁר־ל֑וֹ וְכִפֶּ֥ר בַּעֲד֖וֹ וּבְעַ֥ד בֵּיתֽוֹ׃

Aaron shall offer the bull as a sin offering for himself and make atonement for himself and for his household.

KJV And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Aaron atones for himself first. The sequence is non-negotiable: personal purification precedes communal intercession. A priest who has not dealt with his own sin cannot deal with the people's sin.
Leviticus 16:7

וְלָקַ֖ח אֶת־שְׁנֵ֣י הַשְּׂעִירִ֑ם וְהֶעֱמִ֤יד אֹתָם֙ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה פֶּ֖תַח אֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד׃

Then he shall take the two goats and set them before the LORD at the entrance of the tent of meeting.

KJV And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Both goats are presented together at the tent entrance — their fates will be determined by lot, not by Aaron's choice. The randomness of the lot underscores divine sovereignty in the assignment of roles.
Leviticus 16:8

וְנָתַ֧ן אַהֲרֹ֛ן עַל־שְׁנֵ֥י הַשְּׂעִירִ֖ם גֹּרָל֑וֹת גּוֹרָ֤ל אֶחָד֙ לַיהֹוָ֔ה וְגוֹרָ֥ל אֶחָ֖ד לַעֲזָאזֵֽל׃

Aaron shall cast lots over the two goats — one lot for the LORD and the other lot for Azazel.

KJV And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

עֲזָאזֵל Azazel
"Azazel" — Azazel, scapegoat, the goat that goes away, a wilderness entity

One of the most debated terms in Leviticus. Whether Azazel is a demon, a place, or a descriptive term for removal, the function is clear: one goat dies to cover sin with blood, the other carries sin away alive. Together they accomplish complete atonement.

Translator Notes

  1. 'One lot for the LORD and the other lot for Azazel' (goral echad laYHWH vegoral echad la'Aza'zel) — the identity of Azazel is one of the most debated questions in Leviticus. Proposals include: (1) a proper name for a desert demon or fallen angel; (2) a Hebrew compound meaning 'the goat that goes away' (ez + azal); (3) a place name for a desolate cliff. The text does not define the term; it simply assigns one goat to the LORD and one to Azazel.
Leviticus 16:9

וְהִקְרִ֤יב אַהֲרֹן֙ אֶת־הַשָּׂעִ֔יר אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָלָ֥ה עָלָ֛יו הַגּוֹרָ֖ל לַיהֹוָ֑ה וְעָשָׂ֖הוּ חַטָּֽאת׃

Aaron shall present the goat on which the lot for the LORD fell and make it a sin offering.

KJV And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD’S lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The LORD's goat becomes a sin offering — its blood will be brought inside the veil and sprinkled on the kapporet. This is the only day of the year when blood enters the Most Holy Place.
Leviticus 16:10

וְהַשָּׂעִ֗יר אֲשֶׁר֩ עָלָ֨ה עָלָ֤יו הַגּוֹרָל֙ לַעֲזָאזֵ֔ל יׇֽעֳמַד־חַ֛י לִפְנֵ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה לְכַפֵּ֣ר עָלָ֑יו לְשַׁלַּ֥ח אֹת֛וֹ לַעֲזָאזֵ֖ל הַמִּדְבָּֽרָה׃

But the goat on which the lot for Azazel fell shall be presented alive before the LORD to make atonement over it, to send it away to Azazel into the wilderness.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The Azazel goat is presented alive — it will not be killed but sent into the wilderness bearing Israel's sins (v21-22). The live presentation before the LORD consecrates it for its role as sin-bearer.
Leviticus 16:11

וְהִקְרִ֨יב אַהֲרֹ֜ן אֶת־פַּ֤ר הַֽחַטָּאת֙ אֲשֶׁר־ל֔וֹ וְכִפֶּ֥ר בַּֽעֲד֖וֹ וּבְעַ֣ד בֵּית֑וֹ וְשָׁחַ֛ט אֶת־פַּ֥ר הַֽחַטָּ֖את אֲשֶׁר־לֽוֹ׃

"Aaron shall present the bull as a sin offering for himself and shall make atonement for himself and for his household. He shall slaughter the bull as a sin offering for himself.

KJV And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock of the sin offering which is for himself:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The bull is slaughtered — Aaron's personal sin offering. The high priest's blood-guilt must be addressed before the people's can be.
Leviticus 16:12

וְלָקַ֣ח מְלֹֽא־הַ֠מַּחְתָּ֠ה גַּֽחֲלֵי־אֵ֞שׁ מֵעַ֤ל הַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ מִלִּפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה וּמְלֹ֣א חׇפְנָ֔יו קְטֹ֥רֶת סַמִּ֖ים דַּקָּ֑ה וְהֵבִ֖יא מִבֵּ֥ית לַפָּרֹֽכֶת׃

He shall take a censer full of coals of fire from the altar before the LORD and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense, and bring it inside the veil.

KJV And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The censer of coals and incense creates a protective cloud inside the veil. The incense smoke screens the kapporet from direct view — shielding the high priest from the lethal intensity of God's presence. Without the incense cloud, the encounter would be fatal.
Leviticus 16:13

וְנָתַ֧ן אֶֽת־הַקְּטֹ֛רֶת עַל־הָאֵ֖שׁ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וְכִסָּ֣ה ׀ עֲנַ֣ן הַקְּטֹ֗רֶת אֶת־הַכַּפֹּ֛רֶת אֲשֶׁ֥ר עַל־הָעֵד֖וּת וְלֹ֥א יָמֽוּת׃

He shall put the incense on the fire before the LORD, so that the cloud of incense covers the atonement cover that is over the Testimony, and he shall not die.

KJV And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. 'So that he shall not die' (velo yamut) — the incense cloud is literally life-preserving. The smoke mediates between the priest's mortality and God's holiness. Even the authorized high priest, on the authorized day, with the authorized ritual, needs a protective barrier.
Leviticus 16:14

וְלָקַח֙ מִדַּ֣ם הַפָּ֔ר וְהִזָּ֧ה בְאֶצְבָּע֛וֹ עַל־פְּנֵ֥י הַכַּפֹּ֖רֶת קֵ֑דְמָה וְלִפְנֵ֣י הַכַּפֹּ֗רֶת יַזֶּ֧ה שֶֽׁבַע־פְּעָמִ֛ים מִן־הַדָּ֖ם בְּאֶצְבָּעֽוֹ׃

He shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the front of the atonement cover on the east side, and before the atonement cover he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times.

KJV And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Blood sprinkled on the kapporet — the atonement cover receives the blood that covers sin. Seven sprinklings (the number of completeness) indicate thorough, total atonement. The blood goes on the kapporet itself and before it on the ground. The place where God's presence dwells is purified by blood.
Leviticus 16:15

וְשָׁחַ֞ט אֶת־שְׂעִ֤יר הַֽחַטָּאת֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לָעָ֔ם וְהֵבִיא֙ אֶת־דָּמ֔וֹ אֶל־מִבֵּ֖ית לַפָּרֹ֑כֶת וְעָשָׂ֣ה אֶת־דָּמ֗וֹ כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר עָשָׂה֙ לְדַ֣ם הַפָּ֔ר וְהִזָּ֥ה אֹת֛וֹ עַל־הַכַּפֹּ֖רֶת וְלִפְנֵ֥י הַכַּפֹּֽרֶת׃

"Then he shall slaughter the goat of the sin offering that is for the people and bring its blood inside the veil and do with its blood as he did with the blood of the bull, sprinkling it on the atonement cover and before the atonement cover.

KJV Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The people's goat is now slaughtered and its blood brought inside the veil — the same procedure as with the bull's blood. The people's sins are covered at the same location where the priest's sins were covered: the kapporet.
Leviticus 16:16

וְכִפֶּ֣ר עַל־הַקֹּ֗דֶשׁ מִטֻּמְאֹת֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וּמִפִּשְׁעֵיהֶ֖ם לְכׇל־חַטֹּאתָ֑ם וְכֵ֤ן יַעֲשֶׂה֙ לְאֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֔ד הַשֹּׁכֵ֣ן אִתָּ֔ם בְּת֖וֹךְ טֻמְאֹתָֽם׃

So he shall make atonement for the Holy Place because of the uncleannesses of the sons of Israel and because of their transgressions, all their sins. And so he shall do for the tent of meeting, which dwells with them in the midst of their uncleannesses.

KJV And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

וְכִפֶּר vekhipper
"make atonement" — atone, cover, purge, cleanse, reconcile

The verb kaphar appears more times in this single chapter than in any other chapter of the Bible. Leviticus 16 is the kippur chapter. The verb means to cover, to purge, to cleanse — to do whatever is necessary so that God and sinful humanity can coexist in the same space.

Translator Notes

  1. The purpose is stated explicitly: atonement for the Holy Place itself, because God's sanctuary has been contaminated by Israel's 'uncleannesses, transgressions, and sins' (tum'ot, pesha'im, chatta'ot). The tabernacle absorbs Israel's impurity like a sponge; Yom Kippur wrings it clean. The tent 'dwells with them in the midst of their uncleannesses' (hashokhein ittam betokh tum'otam) — the Shekhinah endures impurity, but not indefinitely. Annual cleansing is required.
Leviticus 16:17

וְכׇל־אָדָ֞ם לֹא־יִהְיֶ֣ה ׀ בְּאֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֗ד בְּבֹא֛וֹ לְכַפֵּ֥ר בַּקֹּ֖דֶשׁ עַד־צֵאת֑וֹ וְכִפֶּ֤ר בַּעֲדוֹ֙ וּבְעַ֣ד בֵּית֔וֹ וּבְעַ֖ד כׇּל־קְהַ֥ל יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

No one shall be in the tent of meeting from the time he enters to make atonement in the Holy Place until he comes out and has made atonement for himself and for his household and for the whole assembly of Israel.

KJV And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. 'No one shall be in the tent' — the encounter between the high priest and God at the kapporet is absolutely solitary. No assistant, no witness, no companion. The most sacred moment in Israel's worship occurs with one man alone before God.
Leviticus 16:18

וְיָצָ֗א אֶל־הַמִּזְבֵּ֛חַ אֲשֶׁ֥ר לִפְנֵֽי־יְהֹוָ֖ה וְכִפֶּ֣ר עָלָ֑יו וְלָקַ֞ח מִדַּ֤ם הַפָּר֙ וּמִדַּ֣ם הַשָּׂעִ֔יר וְנָתַ֛ן עַל־קַרְנ֥וֹת הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ סָבִֽיב׃

Then he shall go out to the altar that is before the LORD and make atonement for it. He shall take some of the blood of the bull and some of the blood of the goat and put it on the horns of the altar all around.

KJV And he shall go out unto the altar that is before the LORD, and make an atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The outer altar (bronze altar) is also purified — blood from both bull and goat is applied to its horns. Every zone of sacred space, from the innermost (kapporet) to the outermost (altar), is cleansed.
Leviticus 16:19

וְהִזָּ֨ה עָלָ֧יו מִן־הַדָּ֛ם בְּאֶצְבָּע֖וֹ שֶׁ֣בַע פְּעָמִ֑ים וְטִהֲר֣וֹ וְקִדְּשׁ֔וֹ מִטֻּמְאֹ֖ת בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

He shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times and cleanse it and consecrate it from the uncleannesses of the sons of Israel.

KJV And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Seven sprinklings again — the altar is cleansed and re-consecrated. The verb taher ('cleanse') and qiddesh ('consecrate') work together: impurity is removed and holiness is restored.
Leviticus 16:20

וְכִלָּה֙ מִכַּפֵּ֣ר אֶת־הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ וְאֶת־אֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵ֖ד וְאֶת־הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ וְהִקְרִ֖יב אֶת־הַשָּׂעִ֥יר הֶחָֽי׃

"When he has finished atoning for the Holy Place and the tent of meeting and the altar, he shall present the live goat.

KJV And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The live goat ceremony begins. The spatial movement is outward: from the Most Holy Place (v14), through the Holy Place (v16), to the altar (v18), and now outside the sanctuary entirely (v21-22).
Leviticus 16:21

וְסָמַ֨ךְ אַהֲרֹ֜ן אֶת־שְׁתֵּ֣י יָדָ֗ו עַ֣ל רֹ֣אשׁ הַשָּׂעִיר֮ הַחַי֒ וְהִתְוַדָּ֣ה עָלָ֗יו אֶת־כׇּל־עֲוֺנֹת֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְאֶת־כׇּל־פִּשְׁעֵיהֶ֖ם לְכׇל־חַטֹּאתָ֑ם וְנָתַ֤ן אֹתָם֙ עַל־רֹ֣אשׁ הַשָּׂעִ֔יר וְשִׁלַּ֛ח בְּיַד־אִ֥ישׁ עִתִּ֖י הַמִּדְבָּֽרָה׃

Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the iniquities of the sons of Israel and all their transgressions, all their sins. He shall put them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man appointed for the task.

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:

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

שָׂעִיר sa'ir
"goat" — male goat, hairy one, scapegoat

The live goat receives Israel's sins through the laying on of hands (semikhah) and verbal confession. It bears (nasa) the sins physically away from the community into the wilderness. The English word 'scapegoat' — coined by William Tyndale in 1530 — comes from this passage.

Translator Notes

  1. Aaron lays both hands on the live goat's head and confesses all Israel's sins over it. The hand-laying transfers guilt from the community to the animal. The three sin-words from Exodus 34:7 recur: avonot (iniquities), pesha'im (transgressions), chatta'ot (sins). Every category of wrongdoing is loaded onto this goat.
Leviticus 16:22

וְנָשָׂ֨א הַשָּׂעִ֥יר עָלָ֛יו אֶת־כׇּל־עֲוֺנֹתָ֖ם אֶל־אֶ֣רֶץ גְּזֵרָ֑ה וְשִׁלַּ֥ח אֶת־הַשָּׂעִ֖יר בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃

The goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to a remote land, and he shall release the goat in the wilderness.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. 'The goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to a remote land' (venasa hassa'ir alav et-kol-avonotam el-erets gezerah) — the scapegoat carries sin away physically. The word gezerah means 'cut off, remote, isolated.' Sin is removed to a place from which it cannot return. The dual goat ritual accomplishes two things: the first goat's blood covers sin before God (propitiation); the second goat carries sin away from the people (expiation). Both are needed for complete atonement.
Leviticus 16:23

וּבָ֤א אַהֲרֹן֙ אֶל־אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֔ד וּפָשַׁט֙ אֶת־בִּגְדֵ֣י הַבָּ֔ד אֲשֶׁ֥ר לָבַ֖שׁ בְּבֹא֣וֹ אֶל־הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ וְהִנִּיחָ֖ם שָֽׁם׃

"Then Aaron shall enter the tent of meeting and take off the linen garments that he put on when he went into the Holy Place, and he shall leave them there.

KJV And Aaron shall come into the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall put off the linen garments, which he put on when he went into the holy place, and shall leave them there:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Aaron removes the linen garments inside the tent — they remain there, contaminated by proximity to sin and holiness simultaneously. He does not wear them out; they stay in the sacred space.
Leviticus 16:24

וְרָחַ֨ץ אֶת־בְּשָׂר֤וֹ בַמַּ֙יִם֙ בְּמָק֣וֹם קָד֔וֹשׁ וְלָבַ֖שׁ אֶת־בְּגָדָ֑יו וְיָצָ֗א וְעָשָׂ֤ה אֶת־עֹֽלָתוֹ֙ וְאֶת־עֹלַ֣ת הָעָ֔ם וְכִפֶּ֥ר בַּעֲד֖וֹ וּבְעַ֥ד הָעָֽם׃

He shall bathe his body in water in a holy place and put on his regular garments. Then he shall go out and offer his burnt offering and the burnt offering of the people and make atonement for himself and for the people.

KJV And he shall wash his flesh with water in the holy place, and put on his garments, and come forth, and offer his burnt offering, and the burnt offering of the people, and make an atonement for himself, and for the people.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Aaron bathes and puts on his regular (ornate) priestly garments. The transition from linen to full vestments marks the shift from the solitary atonement encounter back to regular priestly service. He then offers burnt offerings for himself and the people — the final act of the day.
Leviticus 16:25

וְאֵ֛ת חֵ֥לֶב הַֽחַטָּ֖את יַקְטִ֥יר הַמִּזְבֵּֽחָה׃

The fat of the sin offering he shall burn on the altar.

KJV And the fat of the sin offering shall he burn upon the altar.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The fat of the sin offering is burned on the altar — the standard procedure for all sin offerings (4:8-10). The fat belongs to God.
Leviticus 16:26

וְהַֽמְשַׁלֵּ֤חַ אֶת־הַשָּׂעִיר֙ לַֽעֲזָאזֵ֔ל יְכַבֵּ֣ס בְּגָדָ֔יו וְרָחַ֥ץ אֶת־בְּשָׂר֖וֹ בַּמָּ֑יִם וְאַחֲרֵי־כֵ֖ן יָב֥וֹא אֶל־הַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃

The one who released the goat to Azazel shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and after that he may come into the camp.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The man who released the Azazel goat must wash before re-entering the camp — contact with the sin-laden goat creates ritual impurity that must be cleansed.
Leviticus 16:27

וְאֵת֩ פַּ֨ר הַֽחַטָּ֜את וְאֵ֣ת ׀ שְׂעִ֣יר הַֽחַטָּ֗את אֲשֶׁ֨ר הוּבָ֤א אֶת־דָּמָם֙ לְכַפֵּ֣ר בַּקֹּ֔דֶשׁ יוֹצִ֖יא אֶל־מִח֣וּץ לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה וְשָׂרְפ֣וּ בָאֵ֔שׁ אֶת־עֹרֹתָ֥ם וְאֶת־בְּשָׂרָ֖ם וְאֶת־פִּרְשָֽׁם׃

The bull of the sin offering and the goat of the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the Holy Place, shall be carried outside the camp, and their skin, their flesh, and their dung shall be burned with fire.

KJV And the bullock for the sin offering, and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the holy place, shall one carry forth without the camp; and they shall burn in the fire their skins, and their flesh, and their dung.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The carcasses of the bull and goat sin offerings are burned outside the camp — the same rule as the priestly consecration (Exodus 29:14). What absorbed sin is expelled from sacred space. Hebrews 13:11-12 connects this to Jesus suffering 'outside the gate.'
Leviticus 16:28

וְהַשֹּׂרֵ֣ף אֹתָ֔ם יְכַבֵּ֣ס בְּגָדָ֔יו וְרָחַ֥ץ אֶת־בְּשָׂר֖וֹ בַּמָּ֑יִם וְאַחֲרֵי־כֵ֖ן יָב֥וֹא אֶל־הַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃

The one who burns them shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and after that he may come into the camp.

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

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The one who burns the carcasses also washes — every person who handles the sin-contaminated materials must be purified before returning to the community.
Leviticus 16:29

וְהָיְתָ֥ה לָכֶ֖ם לְחֻקַּ֣ת עוֹלָ֑ם בַּחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַ֠שְּׁבִיעִ֠י בֶּֽעָשׂ֨וֹר לַחֹ֜דֶשׁ תְּעַנּ֣וּ אֶת־נַפְשֹֽׁתֵיכֶ֗ם וְכׇל־מְלָאכָה֙ לֹ֣א תַעֲשׂ֔וּ הָֽאֶזְרָ֔ח וְהַגֵּ֖ר הַגָּ֥ר בְּתוֹכְכֶֽם׃

"This shall be an eternal statute for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall deny yourselves and shall do no work, neither the native nor the sojourner who lives among you.

KJV And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. 'You shall deny yourselves' (te'annu et-nafshoteikhem) — the verb innah ('afflict, deny, humble') combined with nephesh ('soul, self, life') describes fasting and self-deprivation. Yom Kippur is the only mandated fast day in the Torah. The affliction is both physical (fasting) and spiritual (humility before God). 'Neither the native nor the sojourner' — the Day of Atonement includes everyone in the community.
Leviticus 16:30

כִּֽי־בַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּ֛ה יְכַפֵּ֥ר עֲלֵיכֶ֖ם לְטַהֵ֣ר אֶתְכֶ֑ם מִכֹּל֙ חַטֹּ֣אתֵיכֶ֔ם לִפְנֵ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה תִּטְהָֽרוּ׃

For on this day atonement shall be made for you to cleanse you. From all your sins you shall be clean before the LORD.

KJV For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

תִּטְהָרוּ titharu
"you shall be clean" — be cleansed, be purified, be made clean

The promise of Yom Kippur: objective cleansing before God. The verb taher describes a change in ritual status — from impure to pure, from contaminated to clean. This is not metaphor but liturgical reality: the ceremony changes the worshiper's standing before God.

Translator Notes

  1. 'From all your sins you shall be clean before the LORD' (mikol chatto'teikhem lifnei YHWH titharu) — the promise of the Day of Atonement. The word taher ('clean, pure') describes the outcome: complete purification before God. This is not psychological relief but objective, ritual cleansing — the status of the worshiper is changed by the ceremony.
Leviticus 16:31

שַׁבַּ֨ת שַׁבָּת֥וֹן הִיא֙ לָכֶ֔ם וְעִנִּיתֶ֖ם אֶת־נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶ֑ם חֻקַּ֖ת עוֹלָֽם׃

It is a Sabbath of solemn rest to you, and you shall deny yourselves. It is an eternal statute.

KJV It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. 'A Sabbath of solemn rest' (shabbat shabbaton) — the doubled form intensifies: this is the sabbath of sabbaths, the most restful rest. All work ceases absolutely.
Leviticus 16:32

וְכִפֶּ֨ר הַכֹּהֵ֜ן אֲשֶׁר־יִמְשַׁ֣ח אֹת֗וֹ וַאֲשֶׁ֤ר יְמַלֵּא֙ אֶת־יָד֔וֹ לְכַהֵ֖ן תַּ֣חַת אָבִ֑יו וְלָבַ֛שׁ אֶת־בִּגְדֵ֥י הַבָּ֖ד בִּגְדֵ֥י הַקֹּֽדֶשׁ׃

The priest who is anointed and ordained to serve as priest in his father's place shall make the atonement. He shall put on the holy linen garments.

KJV And the priest, whom he shall anoint, and whom he shall consecrate to minister in the priest’s office in his father’s stead, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen clothes, even the holy garments:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The provision for succession: the anointed priest (the mashiach) who succeeds his father performs the Yom Kippur service. The ritual passes from generation to generation through the priestly line.
Leviticus 16:33

וְכִפֶּר֙ אֶת־מִקְדַּ֣שׁ הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ וְאֶת־אֹ֧הֶל מוֹעֵ֛ד וְאֶת־הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ יְכַפֵּ֑ר וְעַ֧ל הַכֹּהֲנִ֛ים וְעַל־כׇּל־עַ֥ם הַקָּהָ֖ל יְכַפֵּֽר׃

He shall make atonement for the Most Holy Place, and he shall make atonement for the tent of meeting and for the altar. He shall make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly.

KJV And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation, and for the altar, and he shall make an atonement for the priests, and for all the people of the congregation.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The scope of atonement is comprehensive: Most Holy Place, tent of meeting, altar, priests, and people. Every dimension of Israel's relationship with God — space, structure, mediators, and community — is cleansed annually.
Leviticus 16:34

וְהָֽיְתָה־זֹּ֨את לָכֶ֜ם לְחֻקַּ֣ת עוֹלָ֗ם לְכַפֵּ֞ר עַל־בְּנֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ מִכׇּל־חַטֹּאתָ֔ם אַחַ֖ת בַּשָּׁנָ֑ה וַיַּ֕עַשׂ כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶת־מֹשֶֽׁה׃ {פ}

This shall be an eternal statute for you, to make atonement for the sons of Israel for all their sins once a year." And Aaron did as the LORD commanded Moses.

KJV And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the LORD commanded Moses.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. 'Once a year' (achat bashanah) — the annual rhythm. Yom Kippur cannot be performed more frequently or less. The timing is fixed by divine decree. 'Aaron did as the LORD commanded Moses' — the chapter closes with the obedience formula, confirming that the first Day of Atonement was performed exactly as prescribed.
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