Topical Bible: The Goat: Offered in Sacrifice

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In the biblical context, the goat holds significant importance as an animal used in various sacrificial rites and ceremonies, particularly within the Old Testament. The use of goats in sacrificial offerings is primarily detailed in the books of Leviticus and Numbers, where they are presented as offerings for sin, guilt, and atonement.

Sin Offering

The goat is prominently featured as a sin offering, a critical component of the sacrificial system established by God for the Israelites. In Leviticus 4, the sin offering is described in detail, with specific instructions for different groups of people. For instance, if a leader sins unintentionally, he is to bring a male goat without blemish as his offering (Leviticus 4:23). Similarly, if an individual from the common people sins unintentionally, they are to bring a female goat without blemish (Leviticus 4:28). The priest then makes atonement for the sin, and the individual is forgiven.

Day of Atonement

The Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, is another significant occasion where goats play a crucial role. Leviticus 16 outlines the procedures for this solemn day, during which two goats are selected. One goat is sacrificed as a sin offering for the people, while the other, known as the scapegoat, is sent into the wilderness. Aaron, the high priest, lays his hands on the head of the scapegoat, confessing over it all the iniquities and transgressions of the Israelites, symbolically transferring their sins onto the goat. The goat is then led away into the wilderness, signifying the removal of sin from the community (Leviticus 16:21-22).

Guilt Offering

In addition to the sin offering, goats are also used in guilt offerings, as described in Leviticus 5. When a person becomes aware of their guilt in any of the matters outlined, they are to bring a female goat from the flock as a guilt offering to the Lord (Leviticus 5:6). This offering serves to atone for specific transgressions and restore the individual's relationship with God.

Other Sacrificial Uses

Beyond sin and guilt offerings, goats are occasionally used in other sacrificial contexts. For example, in Numbers 15, instructions are given for offerings made by fire, where a male goat is included as a sin offering alongside other sacrifices (Numbers 15:24). Additionally, in Numbers 28 and 29, goats are mentioned as part of the regular and festival offerings, underscoring their role in the broader sacrificial system.

Symbolism and Significance

The use of goats in sacrificial rites underscores the gravity of sin and the necessity of atonement. The requirement for the goat to be without blemish symbolizes the need for purity and perfection in the sacrificial offering, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who is described as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). The scapegoat, in particular, serves as a powerful symbol of the removal of sin, prefiguring the complete and final atonement achieved through Christ's sacrifice.

In summary, the goat as a sacrificial animal in the Bible represents the seriousness of sin, the need for atonement, and the foreshadowing of Christ's redemptive work. Through these offerings, the Israelites were reminded of God's holiness, justice, and mercy, as well as their own need for repentance and reconciliation with Him.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 15:9
And he said to him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 16:5,7
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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

'The Scapegoat'
... which one was offered for a sin offering, indicating that sacrifice came first;
then the removal of sin was symbolised by the sending away of the second goat. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the scapegoat.htm

Abraham's Sacrifice of a Heifer Three Years Old, of a Goat, and of ...
... Chapter II."Abraham's Sacrifice of a Heifer Three Years Old ... and blameless, O Abraham,
when thou hast offered to Me ... the symbol of the heifer, the goat, and the ...
/.../chapter ii abrahams sacrifice of a.htm

Whether the Effect of Christ's Priesthood is the Expiation of Sins ...
... Moreover, the Sacrifice is offered continuously in ... Objection 3: Further, in the
sin-offerings of the Old Law, a he-goat was mostly offered for the sin of a ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the effect of christs.htm

Whether a Suitable Cause Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies which ...
... These birds especially were offered in sacrifice because there ... the pride of the flesh;
a lamb, when we restrain our unreasonable motions; a goat, when we ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a suitable cause can.htm

Christ Exalted
... after one scape-goat was driven into the wilderness, a scape-goat was needed the
next year, "but this man, when he had offered only one sacrifice for sins ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/christ exalted.htm

Prayers and Praise from a Pure Mind, Ceaselessly Offered, Far ...
... as the turtle-dove and the pigeon offered for sins ... knew that they were good for nothing
but for sacrifice.". ... then, the law sacrifices not the goat, except in ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter vi prayers and praise from.htm

Fasting, and the Goat Sent Away, were Types of Christ.
... because He also Himself was to offer in sacrifice for our ... that the type established
in Isaac when he was offered upon the ... And let them eat of the goat which is ...
/.../barnabas/the epistle of barnabas /chapter vii fasting and the goat.htm

Whether the Priesthood of Christ Endures for Ever?
... Now this consummation of Christ's sacrifice was foreshadowed in this, that the high ...
as laid down, Lev.16:11, and yet he offered up the he-goat and calf not ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the priesthood of christ.htm

The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Foreshadowed in the Ritual ...
... came to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Second, Aaron offered "a bullock
of the sin-offering" to ... Fourth, the goat of the sin-offering was killed and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/5 the fact of the.htm

But This, Too, it is Fitting that we Should Here Learn from You...
... Jupiter has to a bull's blood that it should be offered in sacrifice to him, not
to Mercury or Liber. Or what are the natural properties of a goat, that they ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/21 but this too it.htm