What is the meaning of Leviticus 16:8? After Aaron casts lots for the two goats The Day of Atonement begins with two male goats presented at the entrance of the tent of meeting (Leviticus 16:7). Aaron “is to cast lots for the two goats” so that the LORD Himself determines their roles. • Casting lots was a sacred way of submitting the decision to God. “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD” (Proverbs 16:33). • This action underscores God’s sovereignty in providing atonement. The high priest does not choose which goat dies or lives; God does. • Similar reliance on divine choice appears in Acts 1:24-26, where the apostles cast lots to replace Judas. • The practice teaches that forgiveness is God-initiated, not human-engineered (compare Leviticus 17:11). one for the LORD The lot that falls “for the LORD” designates the goat to be sacrificed as a sin offering. • Aaron slaughters this goat and carries its blood behind the veil, sprinkling it on and before the mercy seat (Leviticus 16:15-16). • Blood satisfies divine justice: “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22). • This slain goat foreshadows Christ, “who entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:12). • Peter connects the imagery to believers: “You were redeemed… with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish” (1 Peter 1:18-19). • The emphasis is substitution—an innocent life given in place of the guilty (Romans 3:25). and the other for the scapegoat The second lot marks the goat to bear away Israel’s sins. • Aaron “is to present the live goat… and send it away into the wilderness as the scapegoat” (Leviticus 16:10). • Laying both hands on its head, he confesses “all the iniquities of the Israelites… and puts them on the goat’s head” before it is led off (16:21-22). • This pictures removal as well as forgiveness: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12). • Isaiah anticipates the ultimate fulfillment: “The LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). • Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice both satisfies justice (the first goat) and carries sin away permanently (the scapegoat), fulfilling Hebrews 10:14-17. summary Leviticus 16:8 reveals a two-part portrait of atonement. By God’s sovereign lot one goat is sacrificed, highlighting the necessity of blood for forgiveness; the other carries sin away, displaying complete removal of guilt. Together they point to Jesus Christ, whose death and victorious bearing away of sin accomplish the total, God-ordained redemption the Day of Atonement only previewed. |
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