Leviticus 16:20 – “When Aaron has finished making atonement for the Most Holy Place, the tent of meeting and the altar, he shall bring forward the live goat.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
Leviticus 16:20 provides the instructions for the next step in the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) ceremony, which was performed by the High Priest, Aaron. After making atonement for the Most Holy Place (the innermost part of the Tabernacle where the Ark of the Covenant was kept), the tent of meeting (the Holy Place), and the altar, Aaron is to bring forward the live goat. This live goat is commonly referred to as the “scapegoat.”
The verse marks a transition in the ritual, where the focus shifts from the blood sacrifices that cleanse and consecrate the sacred spaces to the symbolic act of placing the sins of the people on the live goat. While the blood of the bull and the goat had been used to purify the holy places, the live goat would now play a role in symbolically removing the sins from the camp, showing that God not only cleanses but also removes the sin from His people.
Historical Context
Leviticus is part of the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, which outline the laws and guidelines given to the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt. The Day of Atonement, as described in Leviticus 16, was the most solemn day of the Jewish calendar, set apart for repentance, fasting, and seeking forgiveness. On this day, the High Priest entered the Most Holy Place to offer sacrifices to atone for the sins of the entire nation.
The ceremony included two goats: one that was sacrificed as a sin offering for the people, and another, the live goat or “scapegoat,” that was sent into the wilderness. After completing the blood sacrifices for the Most Holy Place, the tent of meeting, and the altar, Aaron was to bring forward the live goat. This goat would then have the sins of the people confessed over it and would be sent away into the wilderness, symbolizing the removal of the people’s sins far from them.
Theological Implications
Leviticus 16:20 carries deep theological significance about the nature of atonement and God’s desire for reconciliation with His people. The verse highlights the completeness of God’s provision for atonement: not only does He provide a way for sins to be cleansed (through the blood sacrifices), but He also provides a way for sins to be removed (through the scapegoat). This dual aspect of atonement—cleansing and removal—reveals the depth of God’s grace and His desire to fully restore His people to Himself.
This verse also emphasizes the seriousness of sin and the necessity of dealing with it comprehensively. The process of atonement is not complete until both the sacred spaces are cleansed and the sins are removed from the camp. This points to the need for a holistic approach to sin: one that addresses both its spiritual consequences and its impact on the community.
Literary Analysis
Leviticus 16:20 serves as a pivotal point in the narrative of the Day of Atonement, transitioning from the sacrificial acts inside the Most Holy Place to the symbolic act involving the live goat. The verse’s structure is straightforward, summarizing what has been completed (atonement for the Most Holy Place, the tent of meeting, and the altar) and introducing what comes next (bringing forward the live goat). The phrase “when Aaron has finished making atonement” marks the completion of one phase of the ritual and the beginning of another.
The verse underscores the orderliness and careful planning required in the atonement process. It is clear that each step is important and must be done in the right order to properly cleanse and remove sin. The emphasis on the different parts of the Tabernacle—the Most Holy Place, the tent of meeting, and the altar—reinforces the idea that atonement affects all areas of worship and relationship with God.
Biblical Cross-References
- Psalm 103:12: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us,” reflecting the symbolic act of the scapegoat removing sin far away from the people.
- Isaiah 53:6: “The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all,” which connects to the scapegoat bearing the sins of the people.
- Hebrews 9:12: Speaks of Christ entering the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, securing eternal redemption, which relates to the sacrificial system established in Leviticus.
- 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness,” connecting the idea of confession and cleansing with God’s faithfulness to remove sin.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, Leviticus 16:20 serves as a reminder of the completeness of God’s provision for dealing with sin. The Day of Atonement ritual shows that God not only cleanses us from sin through a blood sacrifice but also removes our sins far away, never to be held against us again. This points to the depth of God’s forgiveness and the assurance that comes from knowing our sins are fully dealt with through Christ.
This verse challenges Christians to consider the fullness of God’s forgiveness. It encourages believers to live in the freedom that comes from knowing that their sins have been not only forgiven but also removed. This understanding should lead to a life marked by gratitude, worship, and a desire to walk closely with God, free from the burden of sin.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
Leviticus 16:20 reveals God’s love in providing a comprehensive means for His people to be cleansed from their sins and to have those sins removed. God’s love is not content with merely covering sins; He desires to take them away completely. The ritual of the scapegoat, which comes after the cleansing of the sanctuary, shows God’s commitment to restoring His people fully. He provides both a means of cleansing and a means of removing sin, reflecting His deep care for His people’s spiritual well-being.
This verse shows that God’s love is both thorough and practical. He knows the burden that sin places on His people and goes to great lengths to provide a way for them to be set free from both the guilt and the presence of sin.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Leviticus 16:20 points directly to the work of Jesus Christ, who fulfills the need for both cleansing and removal of sin. Just as the blood sacrifices cleansed the Most Holy Place, the tent of meeting, and the altar, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin (Hebrews 9:14). And just as the scapegoat carried the sins of the people away into the wilderness, Jesus takes away our sins completely. John the Baptist identified Jesus as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29), showing that Jesus fulfills both roles of cleansing and removal.
Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection provide the complete solution for sin. Unlike the temporary rituals of the Old Testament, Jesus’ work is once for all, fully sufficient to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and to remove our sins from us, making us new creations in Him.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How does the act of bringing forward the live goat after making atonement in the Most Holy Place help you understand the completeness of God’s plan for dealing with sin?
- What does this verse teach us about the importance of both cleansing from sin and the removal of sin from our lives?
- How can reflecting on the rituals of the Day of Atonement deepen your appreciation for the work of Jesus Christ?
- In what ways does understanding God’s thorough provision for atonement challenge you to live in the freedom of His forgiveness?
- How does recognizing the completeness of Christ’s sacrifice encourage you to approach God with confidence, knowing that your sins have been fully dealt with?
This article encourages Christians to reflect on Leviticus 16:20, its significance for understanding the completeness of God’s provision for atonement, and the profound work of Jesus Christ that ensures both the cleansing and removal of sin, inspiring believers to live in the fullness of His grace and forgiveness.