Lexical Summary itti: With me Original Word: עִתִּי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fit From eth; timely -- fit. see HEBREW eth NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originprobably from anah Definition timely, ready NASB Translation readiness (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs עִתִּי adjective timely, ready (Greek ὡραῖος ); — ׳אִישׁ ע Leviticus 16:21 a man who is in readiness. Topical Lexicon Setting within the Day of Atonement Liturgy Leviticus 16:21 places עִתִּי within the solemn ceremonies of Yom Kippur. After Aaron confesses Israel’s sins over the live goat, Scripture states, “He shall send the goat away into the wilderness in the care of a man appointed for the task” (Leviticus 16:21). This single occurrence anchors the term to the most sacred day of Israel’s calendar, underscoring the gravity of national atonement and the necessity for every participant to function precisely. The Role and Qualification of the ‘Ready Man’ The man is described as “appointed for the task,” implying more than mere availability. He must be spiritually clean (Leviticus 16:26), physically capable of guiding the animal far from the camp, and obedient to the priestly instructions. Jewish tradition later required that he be specifically chosen beforehand and prepared for the journey, reflecting a state of readiness that leaves no room for improvisation when dealing with sin’s removal. Symbolic Layers: Sin Transfer and Removal The Day of Atonement employs two goats: one sacrificed, the other released. The ‘ready man’ serves as the living link between confession and separation. By escorting the scapegoat into uninhabited territory, he dramatizes Psalm 103:12—“as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” His readiness ensures that the confessed sins are not only symbolically borne but are actually taken beyond the community’s borders, testifying to God’s complete provision for cleansing. Echoes in Israel’s History and Tradition Rabbinic sources describe designated stations along the wilderness route, indicating that the community shared responsibility for the goat’s progress. The practice highlights Israel’s collective commitment to holiness and recalls earlier episodes where readiness was demanded at critical moments, such as the Passover night (Exodus 12:11). In each case, timely obedience preserved life and secured divine favor. Foreshadowing of the Gospel While Hebrews 10:4 affirms that “it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins,” the readiness theme anticipates the perfectly prepared Servant, Jesus Christ. At the fullness of time (Galatians 4:4), He bore sin outside the camp (Hebrews 13:12), fulfilling the pattern. The ‘ready man’ thus becomes a type of faithful gospel messenger who ensures that the message of sin’s removal is carried to its intended destination. Practical Ministry Applications 1. Readiness for sacred duty: Believers are exhorted to be “ready to give a defense” (1 Peter 3:15) and to seize divinely appointed moments. Conclusion Though עִתִּי appears only once, its placement at the heart of Israel’s atonement ritual magnifies the indispensable quality of readiness in those who serve God’s redemptive purposes. The solitary verse reverberates through Scripture, calling every generation to be the “appointed” people who faithfully carry the reality of sin’s removal into a waiting world. Forms and Transliterations עִתִּ֖י עתי ‘it·tî ‘ittî itTiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Leviticus 16:21 HEB: בְּיַד־ אִ֥ישׁ עִתִּ֖י הַמִּדְבָּֽרָה׃ NAS: of a man who [stands] in readiness. KJV: by the hand of a fit man INT: of his hands of a man readiness the wilderness |
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