Leviticus 16:21 Meaning and Explanation
“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:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Aaron places both hands on the scapegoat, confesses all Israel's sins over it, and sends it away into the wilderness.
The Context of Leviticus 16:21
The confession of sins and the sending away of the scapegoat.
What Does Leviticus 16:21 Mean?
Aaron's physical contact with the scapegoat through the laying on of both hands creates a tangible transfer of Israel's sins. His confession—speaking out all their iniquities and transgressions—makes explicit what is being symbolically transferred to the animal. This confession acknowledges the totality of the people's sin.
The fit man who leads the goat away represents Israel's community sending away the burden of their sin. The goat's journey into the uninhabited wilderness represents the complete and final removal of all their accumulated guilt from God's presence and from their own camp.
Leviticus 16:21 in the Original Language
azal (אָזַל), 'let go/depart' — the goat bears away the sins completely, with the implication of utter separation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leviticus 16:21
What does Leviticus 16:21 mean?
Aaron places both hands on the scapegoat, confesses all Israel's sins over it, and sends it away into the wilderness.
What is the context of Leviticus 16:21?
The confession of sins and the sending away of the scapegoat.