Leviticus 16:21

Authorized King James Version

And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְסָמַ֨ךְ

H5564

shall lay

to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a favorable or unfavorable sense)

אַֽהֲרֹ֜ן

H175

And Aaron

aharon, the brother of moses

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שְׁתֵּ֣י

H8147

both

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

בְּיַד

H3027

by the hand

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

עַ֨ל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

רֹ֣אשׁ

H7218

them upon the head

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

הַשָּׂעִ֔יר

H8163

goat

shaggy; as noun, a he-goat; by analogy, a faun

הַחַי֒

H2416

of the live

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

#10

וְהִתְוַדָּ֣ה

H3034

and confess

physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha

#11

עָלָ֗יו

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#12

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#13

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#14

עֲוֹנֹת֙

H5771

over him all the iniquities

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

#15

בְּנֵ֣י

H1121

of the children

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

#16

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

#17

וְאֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#18

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#19

פִּשְׁעֵיהֶ֖ם

H6588

and all their transgressions

a revolt (national, moral or religious)

#20

לְכָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#21

חַטֹּאתָ֑ם

H2403

in all their sins

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

#22

וְנָתַ֤ן

H5414

putting

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#23

אֹתָם֙

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#24

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#25

רֹ֣אשׁ

H7218

them upon the head

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

#26

הַשָּׂעִ֔יר

H8163

goat

shaggy; as noun, a he-goat; by analogy, a faun

#27

וְשִׁלַּ֛ח

H7971

and shall send him away

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

#28

בְּיַד

H3027

by the hand

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

#29

אִ֥ישׁ

H376

man

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

#30

עִתִּ֖י

H6261

of a fit

timely

#31

הַמִּדְבָּֽרָה׃

H4057

into the wilderness

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Leviticus Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?

Related Resources

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Leviticus 16:21

Analysis

Historical Context

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Study Resources