Leviticus 16:23-34
A Scapegoat for Azazel
23Then Aaron is to enter the Tent of Meeting, take off the linen garments he put on before entering the Most Holy Place, and leave them there.
24He is to bathe himself with water in a holy place and put on his own clothes. Then he must go out and sacrifice his burnt offering and the people’s burnt offering to make atonement for himself and for the people.
25He is also to burn the fat of the sin offering on the altar.
26The man who released the goat as the scapegoat must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water; afterward he may reenter the camp.
27The bull for the sin offering and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought into the Most Holy Place to make atonement, must be taken outside the camp; and their hides, flesh, and dung must be burned up.
28The one who burns them must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water, and afterward he may reenter the camp.
29This is to be a permanent statute for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month, you shall humble yourselves and not do any work—whether the native or the foreigner who resides among you—
30because on this day atonement will be made for you to cleanse you, and you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD.
31It is a Sabbath of complete rest for you, that you may humble yourselves; it is a permanent statute.
32The priest who is anointed and ordained to succeed his father as high priest shall make atonement. He will put on the sacred linen garments
33and make atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting, and the altar, and for the priests and all the people of the assembly.
34This is to be a permanent statute for you, to make atonement once a year for the Israelites because of all their sins.” And all this was done as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Berean Standard Bible
After sending the goat into the wilderness, Aaron enters the Tent of Meeting, removes the linen garments, bathes, and puts on his regular priestly garments. He offers the burnt offerings for himself and the people and burns the fat of the sin offering on the altar.
The man who releases the goat must wash his clothes and bathe before coming back into the camp. The bull and goat whose blood was brought into the Most Holy Place are carried outside the camp and burned. The person who burns them also washes and waits before returning.
The tenth day of the seventh month is a day of self-denial and complete rest. No one is to work. The native and the foreigner living among Israel are included in the command. The high priest makes atonement for the sanctuary, the Tent of Meeting, the altar, the priests, and all the people.
This statute is to be kept once a year. The chapter gathers the whole community into a shared recognition that uncleanness and rebellion have to be dealt with before God. Rest, confession, sacrifice, and cleansing give the day its shape.
How We Know
The word “scapegoat” is a traditional rendering for the goat sent away. The text's own explanation is enough for this devotion: Aaron confesses Israel's sins over the goat, and the goat carries them into the wilderness. The annual ritual anticipates themes of atonement later developed in Hebrews, but it is not identical to Christian communion or a modern confession service.
Questions
1 What did Aaron do after the goat was sent away?
AnswerAaron bathed, put on his regular priestly garments, and offered the burnt offerings.
2 What happened to the bull and goat outside the camp?
AnswerTheir bodies were burned outside the camp, and the person who burned them washed before returning.
3 When was the day observed?
AnswerIt was observed on the tenth day of the seventh month every year.
4 Who was included in the command to rest?
AnswerBoth native Israelites and foreigners living among them were included in the command.
What This Means for Us
Israel's annual atonement included rest and self-denial, not just activity at the altar. The community stops, confesses, and remembers that sin affects the shared life of the people.
The second half of the Day of Atonement sends the confessed sins of Israel away with the goat, then requires the people to humble themselves. Hebrews 9:23-28 points to Christ’s once-for-all entrance and sacrifice, the fulfillment toward which this repeated cleansing reaches.
Prayer
God of mercy, teach us to stop and tell the truth about sin. Give us rest that makes room for repentance, and help us live with gratitude for the cleansing and forgiveness you provide. Amen.