Leviticus 16:21

Afrikaans Bible (ABA) 2007 (Bybel vir almal)

Hy moet altwee sy hande op die bok se kop sit en hy moet daarop alles bely wat die Israeliete verkeerd gedoen het, al hulle sondes. So moet hy die sondes op die bok se kop sit en dan moet hy 'n persoon stuur wat die bok na die woestyn moet neem.

What Does This Mean?

In this verse, Aaron, the high priest, is instructed to place his hands on a live goat and confess the sins of the Israelites. This act symbolizes transferring the sins onto the goat, which is then released into the wilderness to bear the sins away. The key message is about atonement and the purification of the community from sin.

Explained for Children

Imagine if you had a friend who could carry all your mistakes away. Aaron does something like that with a goat. He puts all the people's mistakes on the goat, and then the goat takes those mistakes far away, like magic.

Historical Background

Leviticus was written by Moses around 1400 BC. It outlines the religious laws and rituals for the Israelites, including how to atone for sins. The text reflects a culture that believed in a literal, physical transfer of sins to an animal, representing a communal act of cleansing.

Living It Out Today

In modern life, this can be seen as a reminder to acknowledge and confess our wrongdoings. Just as the goat carried the sins away, we can seek forgiveness and move forward, leaving our past mistakes behind. This can apply to forgiving oneself and others in family or workplace conflicts.

Topics

• atonement
• forgiveness
• purification
• sacrifice
• sin
• community

Related Verses

• Leviticus 16:22
• Exodus 30:10
• Numbers 8:12
• Hebrews 9:7
• 1 John 1:9

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Aaron put his hands on the goat?

Aaron places his hands on the goat to symbolically transfer the sins of the Israelites, as if he is putting all the community's wrongdoings onto the goat.

What happens to the goat after the confession?

After the confession, the goat is sent into the wilderness to carry away the sins of the Israelites, symbolizing the removal of the community's wrongdoing.

Is this practice still followed in modern religions?

While the literal practice is not followed, the concept of atonement and seeking forgiveness for sins is still central in many modern religions, often through prayer or confession.

How does this verse relate to forgiveness in Christianity?

This verse can be seen as a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, who is often referred to as the ultimate scapegoat who bore the sins of humanity, much like the goat in this ritual.