King James Version

What Does Leviticus 16:21 Mean?

Leviticus 16:21 in the King James Version says “And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the childr... — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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: a fit: Heb. a man of opportunity

Leviticus 16:21 · KJV


Context

19

And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.

20

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:

21

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: a fit: Heb. a man of opportunity

22

And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness. not: Heb. of separation

23

And Aaron shall come into the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall put off the linen garments, which he put on when he went into the holy place, and shall leave them there:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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:

This verse falls within the section on Day of Atonement. The most sacred day in Israel's calendar, when the high priest entered the Holy of Holies to make atonement for all Israel's sins.

The Aaronic priesthood mediated between God and Israel, offering sacrifices and maintaining the tabernacle. This prefigured Christ's superior priesthood after the order of Melchizedek.
The New Testament reveals that Christ's sacrifice accomplishes what the Levitical system could only symbolize—complete forgiveness and restoration of relationship with God.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The most sacred day in Israel's calendar, when the high priest entered the Holy of Holies to make atonement for all Israel's sins. The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) described in chapter 16 became Israel's most sacred day. Only on this annual day could the high priest enter the Holy of Holies, making atonement for the entire nation. This ceremony, still observed in Judaism, found ultimate fulfillment in Christ's entrance into heaven itself (Hebrews 9:11-12). Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. Archaeological discoveries at sites like Ugarit reveal Canaanite religious practices Israel's laws explicitly rejected, confirming the Bible's historical reliability and the distinctiveness of Israelite worship.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what ways does this verse deepen your appreciation for Christ's atoning sacrifice and the seriousness of sin?
  2. How does Christ's superior priesthood, prefigured in this verse, assure you of access to God and effective intercession?
  3. What does this verse teach about the seriousness of sin, the cost of redemption, or the beauty of holiness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 31 words
וְסָמַ֨ךְ1 of 31

shall lay

H5564

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

אַֽהֲרֹ֜ן2 of 31

And Aaron

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

אֶת3 of 31
H853

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

שְׁתֵּ֣י4 of 31

both

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

בְּיַד5 of 31

by the hand

H3027

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

עַ֨ל6 of 31
H5921

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

רֹ֣אשׁ7 of 31

them upon the head

H7218

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

הַשָּׂעִ֔יר8 of 31

goat

H8163

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

הַחַי֒9 of 31

of the live

H2416

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

וְהִתְוַדָּ֣ה10 of 31

and confess

H3034

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

עָלָ֗יו11 of 31
H5921

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

אֶת12 of 31
H853

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

כָּל13 of 31
H3605

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

עֲוֹנֹת֙14 of 31

over him all the iniquities

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

בְּנֵ֣י15 of 31

of the children

H1121

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל16 of 31

of Israel

H3478

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

וְאֶת17 of 31
H853

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

כָּל18 of 31
H3605

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

פִּשְׁעֵיהֶ֖ם19 of 31

and all their transgressions

H6588

a revolt (national, moral or religious)

לְכָל20 of 31
H3605

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

חַטֹּאתָ֑ם21 of 31

in all their sins

H2403

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

וְנָתַ֤ן22 of 31

putting

H5414

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

אֹתָם֙23 of 31
H853

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

עַל24 of 31
H5921

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

רֹ֣אשׁ25 of 31

them upon the head

H7218

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

הַשָּׂעִ֔יר26 of 31

goat

H8163

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

וְשִׁלַּ֛ח27 of 31

and shall send him away

H7971

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

בְּיַד28 of 31

by the hand

H3027

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

אִ֥ישׁ29 of 31

man

H376

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)

עִתִּ֖י30 of 31

of a fit

H6261

timely

הַמִּדְבָּֽרָה׃31 of 31

into the wilderness

H4057

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


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Leviticus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Leviticus 16:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Leviticus 16:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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