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Scapegoat

The scapegoat was a central element of Israel's Day of Atonement ritual, symbolizing the removal of sin from God's people. This Old Testament practice foreshadows Christ's work as our ultimate sin-bearer.

Overview

On the Day of Atonement, the high priest selected two goats. One was sacrificed as a sin offering to the LORD, while the other—the scapegoat—had the people's sins confessed over it and was sent into the wilderness, carrying away their iniquities. This ritual demonstrated both God's justice (requiring a death) and His mercy (removing sin far away).

Key Scriptures

"And Aaron shall cast lots over the two goats, one lot for the LORD and one lot for the scapegoat" (Leviticus 16:8, ESV).

"And Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the people of Israel, and all their transgressions, all their sins" (Leviticus 16:21, ESV).

"The goat shall bear all their iniquities on itself to a remote area, and he shall release the goat in the wilderness" (Leviticus 16:22, NASB).

Application

Trust in Jesus Christ, who bore your sins completely, removing them as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12).

Scripture References 19
Leviticus 16:7 Leviticus 16:8 Leviticus 16:9 Leviticus 16:10 Leviticus 16:20 Leviticus 16:21 Leviticus 16:22 Leviticus 16:23 Leviticus 16:24 Leviticus 16:25 Leviticus 16:26 Leviticus 16:27 Leviticus 16:28 Leviticus 16:29 Leviticus 16:30 Leviticus 16:31 Leviticus 16:32 Leviticus 16:33 Leviticus 16:34
Full Topical Reference List 19 total — Nave's Topical Bible
Leviticus 16:7 Leviticus 16:8 Leviticus 16:9 Leviticus 16:10 Leviticus 16:20 Leviticus 16:21 Leviticus 16:22 Leviticus 16:23 Leviticus 16:24 Leviticus 16:25 Leviticus 16:26 Leviticus 16:27 Leviticus 16:28 Leviticus 16:29 Leviticus 16:30 Leviticus 16:31 Leviticus 16:32 Leviticus 16:33 Leviticus 16:34
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