Amelia Wilson 
Read the Daily Bible Verse – Leviticus 16:20 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
Leviticus 16:20 is part of the Old Testament and plays a significant role in the understanding of atonement and the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) in Jewish tradition. It is a verse that reflects God‘s desire for holiness, purification, and reconciliation between humanity and Himself. In this article, we will explore the context of Leviticus 16:20, the meaning of the verse, its application in daily life, and how it relates to the overarching themes in the Bible.
The Context of Leviticus 16:20 KJV
Leviticus is a book of the Bible that provides laws and instructions for the Israelites, detailing how they should live, worship, and maintain a holy relationship with God. It covers a wide range of topics, including sacrifices, purity, morality, and atonement. Chapter 16, where our verse of interest is located, specifically addresses the rituals related to the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), an annual event that played a central role in the religious life of ancient Israel.
In Leviticus 16, God gives instructions to Moses on how the high priest should make atonement for the sins of the people. The chapter outlines the specific rituals and sacrifices that need to take place for the sins of the people to be forgiven. One of the key elements of this process involves the scapegoat, an animal that symbolizes the removal of the people’s sins.
The Day of Atonement was a solemn day, where the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies, the innermost part of the Tabernacle, to offer sacrifices on behalf of the people. The high priest would also take two goats, one of which would be sacrificed as a sin offering, and the other would be sent into the wilderness to symbolically carry the sins of the people far away.
Leviticus 16:20 comes at the end of the ritual description, after the goat has been chosen to be the scapegoat, and it describes the final step in the atonement process.
Leviticus 16:20 (KJV)
The King James Version (KJV) of Leviticus 16:20 reads as follows:
“And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat:”
This verse comes at a pivotal point in the ritual. Before the live goat, which is the scapegoat, is sent into the wilderness, the high priest has first made atonement for the various sacred areas of the Tabernacle (the holy place, the altar, and the tent of meeting). This process emphasizes the need for purification not only for the people but for the entire community of worship.
The live goat is a symbol of the sins of the people, which will be laid upon it and carried away, representing God’s forgiveness and mercy. This ritual demonstrates the seriousness of sin and the need for a process of purification to be reconciled to God.
Leviticus 16:20 Meaning
Leviticus 16:20 may appear simple on the surface, but it carries deep theological meaning, particularly regarding the idea of atonement, purification, and God’s provision for reconciliation.
1. The Concept of Atonement
In this context, “atonement” refers to the process by which the people’s sins are forgiven and their relationship with God is restored. The word itself means “to cover” or “to make amends.” The people’s sins had created a separation between them and God, but through the ritual prescribed in Leviticus 16, their sins could be covered or forgiven.
The live goat, which is led into the wilderness, becomes the vessel for the people’s sins. This act represents the removal of guilt and sin from the community, symbolizing the complete forgiveness of God. By sending the goat far away, it is as if God is saying, “Your sins are no longer held against you.”
2. The Significance of the Scapegoat
The live goat, also known as the “scapegoat,” plays a crucial role in Leviticus 16:20. The Hebrew word used for “scapegoat” is “Azazel,” which is somewhat mysterious in its meaning. Some scholars believe Azazel may refer to a demon or a wilderness deity, while others interpret it as meaning “the goat of departure” or “the goat sent away.”
Regardless of its exact meaning, the scapegoat’s role is clear: it symbolically carries the sins of the people away from the camp, ensuring that the people are clean and restored in their relationship with God. By sending the goat into the wilderness, the high priest demonstrates that God has removed the sins far from the people. It’s a powerful symbol of God’s forgiveness, but it also teaches the Israelites about the cost of sin.
3. The Holiness of the Tabernacle
Before the scapegoat is sent away, the high priest must make atonement for the various sacred areas of the Tabernacle—the holy place, the altar, and the tent of meeting. These locations are not only physically sacred but spiritually significant. The Tabernacle was the dwelling place of God among His people. Sin defiles and disrupts the holiness of these places, so the atonement process involves purification of the sacred spaces as well.
This reinforces the idea that sin is not only a personal issue but something that affects the entire community and even the presence of God among His people. Before God could dwell among the Israelites, everything needed to be made holy through the atonement ritual.
Leviticus 16:20 Application in Life
While Leviticus 16:20 describes a ritual that is no longer practiced today (since Jesus fulfilled the ultimate atonement through His death on the cross), it still has much to teach us. The principles behind this verse continue to have relevance for Christians in the present day, particularly in understanding forgiveness, sin, and the holiness of God.
1. The Seriousness of Sin
One of the key lessons from Leviticus 16:20 is the seriousness of sin. Sin is not something to be taken lightly. The rituals, sacrifices, and the scapegoat all point to the high cost of sin and the necessity of atonement. For Christians, this should prompt us to take sin seriously and strive for holiness in our lives.
In the New Testament, we learn that Jesus is our ultimate sacrifice, and through His blood, our sins are forgiven. However, the importance of repentance and confession remains central to the Christian faith. Just as the Israelites had to acknowledge their sins and participate in the atonement process, Christians are called to confess their sins before God and receive forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
2. The Gift of God’s Forgiveness
Leviticus 16:20 also teaches us about the incredible gift of God’s forgiveness. The scapegoat symbolized God’s willingness to remove sin and restore His people. In the same way, through Jesus Christ, God offers us forgiveness and reconciliation, not based on our merits but on His grace.
This should lead us to a sense of gratitude and awe for the way God has dealt with our sin. We should be quick to forgive others, knowing that we too have been forgiven freely by God.
3. The Holiness of God’s Presence
Another important application is the recognition of God’s holiness. The purification of the Tabernacle before the ritual of the scapegoat points to the holiness of God and the need for purity in His presence. As Christians, we are called to be temples of the Holy Spirit, and we must seek to live lives that reflect God’s holiness.
This means pursuing righteousness, loving our neighbors, and seeking to reflect God’s character in our actions. Just as the Israelites had to cleanse the holy places before the sacrifice, we too must keep our hearts and lives pure through repentance and striving to live according to God’s will.
Conclusion
Leviticus 16:20 teaches us profound lessons about sin, forgiveness, and holiness. Although the ritual described in this verse is no longer practiced in the same way, its deeper significance continues to speak to us today. The scapegoat represents the removal of sin and the restoration of our relationship with God, a theme that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who takes away the sins of the world.
Through understanding the meaning of Leviticus 16:20, Christians are reminded of the seriousness of sin, the gift of God’s forgiveness, and the call to holiness. As we reflect on this verse, we should be inspired to live lives that honor God, knowing that He has provided a way for us to be reconciled to Him through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
May this understanding lead to greater gratitude, repentance, and a desire to live in the light of God’s holiness.
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