◄ Leviticus 16:7 ►
Then he shall take the two goats and present them before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
Study Bible
Then he shall take the two goats
In the context of the Day of Atonement, the high priest is instructed to take two goats. These goats are central to the atonement ritual, symbolizing the removal of sin from the community. The use of two goats highlights the dual aspects of atonement: one for sacrifice and one as the scapegoat. This practice underscores the seriousness of sin and the need for divine intervention for forgiveness. The two goats can be seen as a type of Christ, who fulfills both roles: the sacrificial offering and the bearer of sins.

and present them before the LORD
The act of presenting the goats before the LORD signifies offering them to God, acknowledging His sovereignty and holiness. This presentation is a formal act of dedication, emphasizing that the ritual is conducted under divine authority. It reflects the biblical principle that all offerings and sacrifices are ultimately made to God, who alone can forgive sins. This foreshadows Christ's presentation before God as the ultimate sacrifice for humanity's sins.

at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
The Tent of Meeting, also known as the Tabernacle, was the central place of worship for the Israelites during their wilderness journey. It served as the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. The entrance to the Tent of Meeting was a sacred space where significant rituals and divine encounters occurred. Presenting the goats at this location underscores the importance of the ritual and the need for the community to approach God with reverence and obedience. This setting prefigures the access believers have to God through Christ, who is the true Tabernacle.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Aaron
The high priest who performs the rituals of the Day of Atonement, including the presentation of the goats.

2. Two Goats
Central to the Day of Atonement ritual; one is sacrificed, and the other is sent into the wilderness as the scapegoat.

3. The LORD
The God of Israel, before whom the goats are presented as part of the atonement process.

4. Tent of Meeting
The sacred place where God meets with His people, and where the rituals of atonement are performed.

5. Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)
An annual event in the Jewish calendar dedicated to atonement and repentance.
Teaching Points
Understanding Atonement
The Day of Atonement highlights the seriousness of sin and the need for a mediator between God and humanity. Reflect on how Jesus fulfills this role as our ultimate mediator.

Symbolism of the Goats
The two goats represent different aspects of atonement—sacrifice and removal of sin. Consider how Jesus embodies both roles as the sacrificial lamb and the one who takes away our sins.

Approaching God
The presentation of the goats "before the LORD" emphasizes the importance of approaching God with reverence and obedience. Reflect on how we approach God in our daily lives and worship.

Community and Repentance
The Day of Atonement was a communal event, reminding us of the importance of corporate repentance and seeking forgiveness as a community of believers.

Christ's Fulfillment
Recognize how the rituals of the Old Testament point to Christ's ultimate sacrifice, encouraging us to live in the freedom and forgiveness He provides.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of the high priest in Leviticus 16:7 foreshadow the work of Jesus as our high priest?

2. In what ways do the two goats symbolize different aspects of atonement, and how does this relate to the work of Christ?

3. How can we apply the principles of reverence and obedience in our approach to God today?

4. What can we learn from the communal aspect of the Day of Atonement about the importance of corporate repentance and forgiveness?

5. How does understanding the Old Testament sacrificial system deepen our appreciation for Christ's sacrifice on the cross?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Hebrews 9
Discusses the role of Christ as the ultimate high priest and the fulfillment of the sacrificial system, including the Day of Atonement.

Isaiah 53
Describes the suffering servant, which Christians interpret as a prophecy of Jesus, paralleling the scapegoat bearing the sins of the people.

John 1:29
John the Baptist refers to Jesus as the "Lamb of God," connecting to the sacrificial system and the concept of atonement.

Psalm 103:12
Speaks of God removing our transgressions as far as the east is from the west, similar to the scapegoat carrying away sins.

Romans 3:25
Discusses Jesus as a propitiation for our sins, echoing the atonement rituals.
Sermons
The Climax of Sacrificial Worship: the Day of AtonementR.M. Edgar Leviticus 16:1-34
The Great Day of AtonementR.A. Redford Leviticus 16:1-34
Type and Antitype - the PriestW. Clarkson Leviticus 16:2-17
A Proffered SubstituteW. Thompson.Leviticus 16:3-34
Christ Typified by the Two GoatsJ. Burns, D. D.Leviticus 16:3-34
Christian's Confession of SinSpurgeon, Charles HaddonLeviticus 16:3-34
Christ's Anesthesia for the Remembrance of SinLeviticus 16:3-34
Hindrances to Repentance RemovedJ. Spencer.Leviticus 16:3-34
Intercession of ChristS. Thodey.Leviticus 16:3-34
LessonsA. Willet, D. D.Leviticus 16:3-34
Moral ObservationsA. Willet, D. D.Leviticus 16:3-34
Moses and Christ; the Day of AtonementW. Clarkson, B. A.Leviticus 16:3-34
Need for the Great AtonementJ. Hamilton, D. D.Leviticus 16:3-34
Sinners Always Ready to Conceal Their SinT. Adams.Leviticus 16:3-34
Spiritual Significance of the Ceremonies on the Day of AtonementT. M. Morris.Leviticus 16:3-34
The Annual AtonementSpurgeon, Charles HaddonLeviticus 16:3-34
The Ceremonies of the Day of AtonementF. E. Clark.Leviticus 16:3-34
The Climax of Sacrificial WorshipR. M.,Edgar, M. A.Leviticus 16:3-34
The Day of AtonementSpurgeon, Charles HaddonLeviticus 16:3-34
The Day of AtonementD. O. Mears.Leviticus 16:3-34
The Day of AtonementD. C. Hughes, M. A.Leviticus 16:3-34
The Day of AtonementH. Melvill, B. D.Leviticus 16:3-34
The Day of AtonementJ. A. Seiss, D. D.Leviticus 16:3-34
The Garments of the PriestF. E. Clark.Leviticus 16:3-34
The Two GoatsF. E. Clark.Leviticus 16:3-34
The Two Goats -- Various InterpretationsJ. Cumming, D. D.Leviticus 16:3-34
There Shalt be no Man in the TabernacleH. C. Trumbull.Leviticus 16:3-34
True RepentanceH. W. Beecher.Leviticus 16:3-34
Trusting in the SubstituteLeviticus 16:3-34
Value of RepentanceJ. Spencer.Leviticus 16:3-34
The Sacrifices of the Day of AtonementJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 16:5-28
Type and Antitype - the OfferingW. Clarkson Leviticus 16:7-10, 15, 21, 22
People
Aaron, Israelites, Moses
Places
Teman
Topics
Caused, Congregation, Door, Doorway, Entrance, Goats, Meeting, Opening, Present, Stand, Tabernacle, Tent
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 16:1-22

     7316   blood, OT sacrifices

Leviticus 16:1-33

     6616   atonement, in OT

Leviticus 16:1-34

     1680   types
     7422   ritual

Leviticus 16:2-34

     5378   law, OT

Leviticus 16:3-34

     6648   expiation
     8629   worship, times

Leviticus 16:5-10

     8272   holiness, growth in

Leviticus 16:6-10

     7392   lots, casting of

Leviticus 16:6-19

     7308   Atonement, Day of

Leviticus 16:7-10

     7440   scapegoat

Library
August 9. "He Shall Lay Both his Hands Upon the Head of the Live Goat, and Confess Over Him all the Iniquities of the Children of Israel; Transgressions and Sins" (Lev. xvi. 21).
"He shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel; transgressions and sins" (Lev. xvi. 21). As any evil comes up, and the consciousness of any unholy thing touches our inner senses, it is our privilege at once to hand it over to the Holy Ghost and to lay it upon Jesus, as something already crucified with Him, and as of old, in the case of the sin offering, it will be carried without the camp and burned to ashes. There may …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Day of Atonement
'And the Lord spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron when they offered before the Lord, and died; 2. And the Lord said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy-seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy-seat. 3. Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place; with a young bullock for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering. 4. He shall put on the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Day of Atonement
Now, I shall invite your attention to the ceremonies of this solemn day, taking the different parts in detail. First, we shall consider the person who made the atonement; secondly, the sacrifice whereby the atonement was typically made; thirdly, the effects of the atonement; and fourthly, our behaviour on the recollection of the atonement, as well set forth by the conduct prescribed to the Israelites on that day. I. First, THE PERSON WHO WAS TO MAKE THE ATONEMENT. And at the outset, we remark that …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 2: 1856

The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Foreshadowed in the Ritual on the Annual Day of Israel's Atonement.
The order of events on the Day of Atonement are described in Leviticus 16, a chapter which is exceedingly rich in its typical signification. The Day of Atonement had to do with the putting away of Israel's sins, therefore, its dispensational application refers mainly to Israel though, as we shall see, the Church was also typically represented. We shall not now attempt anything more than a bare outline of the happenings of that most memorable day on Israel's sacred calendar. The order of its ritual …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

The Great High-Priest.
"Having then a great High-priest, Who hath passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high-priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but One that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need. For every high-priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

Fifth Sunday in Lent
Text: Hebrews 9, 11-15. 11 But Christ having come a high priest of the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, 12 nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling them that have been defiled, sanctify unto the cleanness of the flesh: …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

Parable of the Pharisee and Publican.
^C Luke XVIII. 9-14. ^c 9 And he spake also this parable unto certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and set all others at nought [It is commonly said that this parable teaches humility in prayer, but the preface and conclusion (see verse 14) show that it is indeed to set forth generally the difference between self-righteousness and humility, and that an occasion of prayer is chosen because it best illustrates the point which the Lord desired to teach. The parable shows that …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Intercession of Christ
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us! T he Redemption of the soul is precious. Fools make mock of sin (Proverbs 14:9) . But they will not think lightly of it, who duly consider the majesty, authority, and goodness of Him, against whom it is committed; and who are taught, by what God actually has done, what sin rendered necessary to be done, before a sinner could have a well-grounded …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

The Call of Matthew - the Saviour's Welcome to Sinners - Rabbinic Theology as Regards the Doctrine of Forgiveness in Contrast to the Gospel of Christ
In two things chiefly does the fundamental difference appear between Christianity and all other religious systems, notably Rabbinism. And in these two things, therefore, lies the main characteristic of Christ's work; or, taking a wider view, the fundamental idea of all religions. Subjectively, they concern sin and the sinner; or, to put it objectively, the forgiveness of sin and the welcome to the sinner. But Rabbinism, and every other system down to modern humanitarianism - if it rises so high in …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Sundry Exhortations.
HEBREWS xiii. Let love of the brethren continue. Forget not to shew love unto strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; them that are evil entreated, as being yourselves also in the body. Let marriage be had in honour among all, and let the bed be undefiled: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Be ye free from the love of money; content with such things as ye have: for Himself hath said, I will in no wise fail thee, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

The Cavils of the Pharisees Concerning Purification, and the Teaching of the Lord Concerning Purity - the Traditions Concerning Hand-Washing' and Vows. '
As we follow the narrative, confirmatory evidence of what had preceded springs up at almost every step. It is quite in accordance with the abrupt departure of Jesus from Capernaum, and its motives, that when, so far from finding rest and privacy at Bethsaida (east of the Jordan), a greater multitude than ever had there gathered around Him, which would fain have proclaimed Him King, He resolved on immediate return to the western shore, with the view of seeking a quieter retreat, even though it were …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Christ a Complete Saviour:
OR, THE INTERCESSION OF CHRIST, AND WHO ARE PRIVILEGED IN IT. BY JOHN BUNYAN Advertisement by the Editor. However strange it may appear, it is a solemn fact, that the heart of man, unless prepared by a sense of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, rejects Christ as a complete Saviour. The pride of human nature will not suffer it to fall, as helpless and utterly undone, into the arms of Divine mercy. Man prefers a partial Saviour; one who had done so much, that, with the sinner's aid, the work might be …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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