2 Chronicles 29:23

Then they brought the goats for the sin offering before the king and the assembly, who laid their hands on them.

Study Bible

Then they brought
This phrase indicates a deliberate and purposeful action. The Hebrew root for "brought" is "בּוֹא" (bo), which means to come or bring. This action signifies the beginning of a sacred ritual, emphasizing the importance of preparation and intention in worship. Historically, the act of bringing offerings was a communal activity, reflecting the collective responsibility of the people to seek atonement and reconciliation with God.

the goats
Goats were commonly used in sin offerings, as prescribed in Levitical law. The Hebrew word for goat is "עֵז" (ez), which is often associated with sin offerings due to their symbolic representation of sin and impurity. In the ancient Near Eastern context, goats were seen as carriers of sin, and their sacrifice was a means of transferring the people's sins away from them. This highlights the gravity of sin and the need for a substitute to bear its consequences.

for the sin offering
The sin offering, or "חַטָּאת" (chatat) in Hebrew, was a crucial aspect of the sacrificial system. It was designed to atone for unintentional sins and restore the relationship between the Israelites and God. This offering underscores the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin, reminding believers of the need for repentance and the provision of grace through sacrifice. Theologically, it points forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who bore the sins of humanity.

before the king and the assembly
Presenting the goats before the king and the assembly signifies the public nature of the sin offering. The king, as the leader, represents the nation's accountability to God, while the assembly symbolizes the collective participation of the people in the act of repentance. This communal aspect reinforces the idea that sin affects not just individuals but the entire community, and thus, the community must come together in seeking forgiveness.

who laid their hands on them
The laying on of hands, or "סָמַךְ" (samach) in Hebrew, is a symbolic act of identification and transference. By laying hands on the goats, the king and the assembly were symbolically transferring their sins onto the animals, which would then be sacrificed. This act of laying hands is a powerful reminder of the need for personal and communal acknowledgment of sin and the desire for purification. It foreshadows the New Testament concept of imputation, where believers' sins are transferred to Christ, and His righteousness is imputed to them.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Hezekiah
The king of Judah who initiated religious reforms and restored temple worship after a period of neglect and idolatry.

2. The Assembly
The gathered people of Judah who participated in the rededication of the temple and the offerings.

3. The Temple in Jerusalem
The central place of worship for the Israelites, which Hezekiah cleansed and rededicated.

4. Male Goats for the Sin Offering
Animals used in the sacrificial system to atone for the sins of the people, symbolizing the transfer of sin.

5. Laying on of Hands
A symbolic act representing the transfer of sin from the people to the sacrificial animal.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Repentance and Cleansing
Hezekiah's reforms highlight the need for personal and communal repentance and the cleansing of our lives from sin.

Symbolism of the Sacrificial System
The laying on of hands and the sin offering prefigure Christ's ultimate sacrifice, teaching us about the seriousness of sin and the need for atonement.

Role of Leadership in Spiritual Renewal
Hezekiah's leadership demonstrates the impact of godly leadership in guiding others toward spiritual renewal and obedience to God.

Community Involvement in Worship
The assembly's participation underscores the importance of communal worship and collective responsibility in seeking God's forgiveness.

Foreshadowing of Christ's Sacrifice
The sacrificial system points to Jesus as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, encouraging us to place our faith in His redemptive work.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Hezekiah's leadership in 2 Chronicles 29:23 inspire us to take initiative in our spiritual communities today?

2. In what ways does the act of laying hands on the sin offering deepen our understanding of the concept of atonement?

3. How can we apply the principles of repentance and cleansing from this passage to our personal lives?

4. What parallels can we draw between the sacrificial system in the Old Testament and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ?

5. How does the communal aspect of worship in this passage challenge us to engage more fully with our church communities?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Leviticus 4:22-26
This passage outlines the sin offering for a leader, which includes the laying on of hands and the sacrifice of a goat, similar to the events in 2 Chronicles 29:23.

Hebrews 9:13-14
Discusses how the blood of goats and bulls sanctifies and purifies, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.

Isaiah 53:6
Illustrates the concept of substitutionary atonement, where the iniquity of us all is laid on the suffering servant, paralleling the laying on of hands in the sin offering.