Leviticus 16:8
And Aaron shall cast lots over the two goats, one lot for the LORD and the other lot for Azazel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The surprising thing here is that both goats are presented as equally belonging to God before the lots are cast; one is designated "for the LORD," but the other is designated "for Azazel" (often translated "scapegoat"). This indicates that even the goat bearing sins away into the wilderness was, in a profound way, part of God's divine plan for atonement.
This passage is part of the detailed instructions for the Day of Atonement, a solemn annual ritual established after the tragic deaths of Aaron's sons. Aaron, the High Priest, must first prepare himself and then perform sacrifices for his own sins and those of his household. He then selects two goats from the community to stand before the Lord at the Tabernacle entrance, a crucial step before determining their distinct roles.
Why use lots for such a vital sacrifice? This wasn't a random draw; it was a sacred act revealing God's direct involvement.
In Leviticus 16, the selection of two goats for the Day of Atonement wasn't left to chance. Aaron cast lots, a practice deeply understood by the Israelites as a way to discern God's will. Proverbs 16:33 states, 'The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.'
Two goats, one ceremony. What does this symbolic pairing tell us about the multifaceted work of Christ?
The two goats, though distinct in their immediate roles, together paint a complete picture of Christ's atoning work.
Understand the original words
goral · Hebrew Noun
A ritual method used in the ancient Near East to determine the divine will or decision in a situation where human judgment was insufficient, trusting in God's sovereignty over the outcome.
Azazel · Hebrew Proper Noun
A complex term traditionally interpreted as a proper name for a demonic entity, a desolate place, or a symbolic figure representing the removal of sin, marking the destination of the scapegoat that carried away the iniquity of the people.
This passage draws a parallel between the high priest's single annual entry into the Most Holy Place with blood and Christ's single, eternal sacrifice for redemption, echoing the unique, divinely appointed nature of the atonement symbolized by the two goats.
1 Peter 2:24Peter directly links the imagery of Christ bearing our sins to Isaiah's prophecy, aligning with the concept of one goat bearing the sins of the people into the wilderness, representing the complete removal of our transgressions.
Galatians 3:13This verse highlights that Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, mirroring the symbolism of the scapegoat bearing the people's iniquities and curses away.
John 1:29John the Baptist's declaration of Jesus as the 'Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world' directly relates to the sacrificial purpose of one of the goats, signifying the ultimate sin-bearer.
Proverbs 16:33This verse states that 'the lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD,' underscoring that the casting of lots for the two goats was not random but a divine appointment, showing God's sovereignty over the atonement process.
bensonLeviticus 16:8: "And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat."
Leviticus 16:8 . One lot for the Lord — To be sacrificed to him upon his altar. Both this and the other goat typified Christ; this in his death and passion for us, that in his resurrection for our deliverance. The other lot for the scape-goat — The Jewish doctors tell us that this goat, on which the sins of the nation were transferred, was loaded with all marks of reproach,…
calvinLeviticus 16:1-34: "And the LORD spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered before the LORD, and died;"
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.
Dixitque Jellova ad Mosen, Loquere ad Aharon fratrem tuum, ut ne ingrediatnr omni tempore sanctuarium intra velum…
The surprising thing here is that both goats are presented as equally belonging to God before the lots are cast; one is designated "for the LORD," but the other is designated "for Azazel" (often translated "scapegoat"). This indicates that even the goat bearing sins away into the wilderness was, in a profound way, part of God's divine plan for atonement.
This passage is part of the detailed instructions for the Day of Atonement, a solemn annual ritual established after the tragic deaths of Aaron's sons. Aaron, the High Priest, must first prepare himself and then perform sacrifices for his own sins and those of his household. He then selects two goats from the community to stand before the Lord at the Tabernacle entrance, a crucial step before determining their distinct roles.
This passage is part of the detailed instructions for the Day of Atonement, a solemn annual ritual established after the tragic deaths of Aaron's sons. Aaron, the High Priest, must first prepare himself and then perform sacrifices for his own sins and those of his household. He then selects two goats from the community to stand before the Lord at the Tabernacle entrance, a crucial step before determining their distinct roles.
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"And Aaron shall cast lots over the two goats, one lot for the LORD and the other lot for Azazel." — The surprising thing here is that both goats are presented as equally belonging to God before the lots are cast; one is designated "for the LORD," but the other is designated "for Azazel" (often tr…
