Leviticus 16 22

Leviticus 16:22 kjv

And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.

Leviticus 16:22 nkjv

The goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to an uninhabited land; and he shall release the goat in the wilderness.

Leviticus 16:22 niv

The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a remote place; and the man shall release it in the wilderness.

Leviticus 16:22 esv

The goat shall bear all their iniquities on itself to a remote area, and he shall let the goat go free in the wilderness.

Leviticus 16:22 nlt

As the goat goes into the wilderness, it will carry all the people's sins upon itself into a desolate land.

Leviticus 16 verses

Leviticus 16 22 Meaning

Leviticus 16:22 describes the final act with the second goat on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). After the high priest confesses the sins of the Israelites over its head, this goat, known as the "scapegoat" or "Azazel goat," is led away into a desolate wilderness. The verse emphasizes that this goat carries away "all their iniquities" to a cut-off land, signifying the complete removal of the people's sins, guilt, and the defilement they caused from the presence of the community. This act symbolizes a definitive separation of sin from the repentant people, sending it to a place of oblivion where it no longer affects them.

Leviticus 16 22 Context

Leviticus chapter 16 describes the detailed ritual for the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, which was the most solemn day in the Israelite calendar. This annual ritual, instituted by God, served as a comprehensive purification for the sanctuary, the priesthood, and all the people from the accumulated defilements and sins of the previous year. The chapter details specific sacrifices and rituals performed by the High Priest, Aaron, for himself and the community. Central to this chapter is the ritual involving two goats (vv. 7-10). One goat was designated "for the LORD" (Lev. 16:8) and was sacrificed as a sin offering (vv. 15-19), providing blood for atonement within the Most Holy Place. The second goat, the focus of verse 22, was designated "for Azazel" (Lev. 16:8, 10), and it was not sacrificed but symbolically laden with the nation's sins and sent alive into the uninhabited wilderness. Verse 22 describes this climactic action of expiation, where the community's confessed sins are transferred to the live goat and effectively banished, illustrating the concept of removal and separation of sin from the camp.

Leviticus 16 22 Word analysis

• And the goat: This specifically refers to the second of the two goats, which was selected by lot "for Azazel" (Lev. 16:8, 10). It highlights its distinct role from the first goat, which was sacrificed for a sin offering. This distinction is crucial for understanding the two-fold aspect of atonement: propitiation (sacrifice of life) and expiation (removal of sin).

• shall bear: (Hebrew: nasa' נָשָׂא) This word is central. It means to lift, carry, bear, take away, endure, or forgive. In this context, it implies that the goat literally "carries" or "takes away" the sins. Theologically, nasa' is often used for bearing the consequence of sin, but here it speaks of removing the effect of sin. It prefigures Christ's vicarious work.

• on him: (Hebrew: 'ālāyw עָלָיו) Directly translates to "upon him" or "on it," referring to the physical animal. This emphasizes the symbolic transfer of the nation's iniquities directly onto the goat through the priest's laying on of hands and confession (Lev. 16:21).

• all their iniquities: (Hebrew: kol 'awonotam כָּל־עֲוֹנוֹתָם)

  • all: Indicates comprehensive coverage, encompassing every type of moral offense, failing, and guilt accumulated by the people.
  • iniquities: (Hebrew: 'awon עָווֹן) This term denotes more than just "sin" (hattat חַטָּאת - missing the mark). 'Awon specifically refers to perverse acts, moral crookedness, guilt, or the punishment/consequences arising from sin. By "bearing all their iniquities," the goat takes away not only the sinful acts but also their defiling effect and the resulting guilt from the community.

• to a desolate land: (Hebrew: 'el 'erets gzerah אֶל־אֶרֶץ גְּזֵרָה)

  • desolate land: 'erets gzerah means "a land cut off," isolated, separated, or desolate. It implies an uninhabited, often rocky or inaccessible area, signifying that what is placed there is cut off and removed permanently. This isn't just a convenient pasture, but a specific type of terrain ensuring the goat cannot return to the camp, signifying sin's non-return.

• And he shall release the goat in the wilderness: (Hebrew: weshilleah' 'et-hasa'ir bammidbar וְשִׁלַּח אֶת־הַשָּׂעִיר בַּמִּדְבָּר)

  • release: (shilleah' שִׁלַּח) To send away, dismiss, let go. It denotes the decisive action of expelling the sin-laden goat.
  • wilderness: (midbar מִדְבָּר) An uninhabited, untamed area; not cultivated land. This final destination ensures the goat and the sins it carries are completely separated from the community, never to return. The symbolism here is potent: sin, once atoned for, is banished to oblivion.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "And the goat shall bear on him all their iniquities": This phrase highlights the vicarious transfer and carrying away of the collective guilt and consequence of sin. It demonstrates God's provision for dealing with human transgressions. The active 'bearing' emphasizes a burden taken up by the goat on behalf of the people.
  • "to a desolate land, and he shall release the goat in the wilderness": This clause completes the act of expiation. The choice of a "desolate land" and "wilderness" is not arbitrary. It represents a place of separation and oblivion, ensuring the sins are not merely moved but are banished and utterly cut off from the covenant community. The repeated emphasis on desolation reinforces the idea of complete removal and non-return of sin.

Leviticus 16 22 Bonus section

The ritual of the two goats in Leviticus 16 contains a unique element known as 'Azazel, a term not fully understood. Some scholars interpret 'Azazel as a proper name, possibly for a demon or a wilderness spirit, to whom the goat was sent, thereby indicating that sin and its consequences were banished to a desolate, unholy realm. However, other interpretations understand 'Azazel as representing the complete removal and ultimate dismissal of sin, as if sent to oblivion itself, away from the presence of God and His people. The most crucial aspect, regardless of the precise meaning of 'Azazel, is the concept of absolute and irrevocable expiation. The sending away of the scapegoat into an uninhabited region prevented its return to the camp, thereby ensuring that the sins of the community were fully removed and unable to reinfect the sacred space or the people. This acted as a visible assurance of God's forgiveness and purification.

Leviticus 16 22 Commentary

Leviticus 16:22 serves as the vivid culmination of the expiatory aspect of Yom Kippur. While the first goat's blood ritually cleansed the holy places and reconciled God's presence with a sinful people, this second goat outwardly and visibly removed the effect and consequences of those sins from the entire nation. The nasa' ("bear/carry away") of sins into a "desolate land" and "wilderness" speaks of a complete severance. Sin, once placed upon the goat and banished, was metaphorically gone – forgotten by God and separated from the people, symbolizing an utter eradication. This powerful imagery foreshadows Christ, the true scapegoat (Heb. 9), who not only propitiated God's wrath by His sacrifice (the first goat's role) but also, by bearing our sins on the cross, took them away completely, casting them into a place where they no longer hold sway over us (Is. 53; 1 Pet. 2:24; Ps. 103:12). This signifies liberation from sin's power and penalty for those in Christ.