Leviticus 16:21
New International Version
He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat’s head. He shall send the goat away into the wilderness in the care of someone appointed for the task.

New Living Translation
He will lay both of his hands on the goat’s head and confess over it all the wickedness, rebellion, and sins of the people of Israel. In this way, he will transfer the people’s sins to the head of the goat. Then a man specially chosen for the task will drive the goat into the wilderness.

English Standard Version
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. And he shall put them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who is in readiness.

Berean Standard Bible
Then he is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the iniquities and rebellious acts of the Israelites in regard to all their sins. He is to put them on the goat’s head and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man appointed for the task.

King James Bible
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:

New King James Version
Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, confess over it all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, concerning all their sins, putting them on the head of the goat, and shall send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a suitable man.

New American Standard Bible
Then Aaron shall lay both of his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the wrongdoings of the sons of Israel and all their unlawful acts regarding all their sins; and he shall place them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who stands ready.

NASB 1995
“Then Aaron shall lay both of his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the sons of Israel and all their transgressions in regard to all their sins; and he shall lay them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who stands in readiness.

NASB 1977
“Then Aaron shall lay both of his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the sons of Israel, and all their transgressions in regard to all their sins; and he shall lay them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who stands in readiness.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Aaron shall lay both of his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the sons of Israel and all their transgressions in regard to all their sins; and he shall lay them on the head of the goat and send it out into the wilderness by the hand of a man ready to do this.

Amplified Bible
Then Aaron shall lay both of his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the wickedness of the sons of Israel and all their transgressions in regard to all their sins; and he shall lay them on the head of the goat [the scapegoat, the sin-bearer], and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who is prepared [for the task].

Christian Standard Bible
Aaron will lay both his hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the Israelites’ iniquities and rebellious acts—all their sins. He is to put them on the goat’s head and send it away into the wilderness by the man appointed for the task.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Aaron will lay both his hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the Israelites’ wrongdoings and rebellious acts—all their sins. He is to put them on the goat’s head and send it away into the wilderness by the man appointed for the task.

American Standard 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, even all their sins; and he shall put them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a man that is in readiness into the wilderness:

Contemporary English Version
There you will lay your hands on its head, while confessing every sin the people have committed, and you will appoint someone to lead the goat into the desert, so that it can take away their sins.

English Revised 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, even all their sins; and he shall put them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a man that is in readiness into the wilderness:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Aaron will place both hands on its head. He will confess over it all the sins, all the rebellious acts, and all the things the Israelites did wrong. He will transfer them to the goat's head. A man will be appointed to release the goat in the desert.

Good News Translation
He shall put both of his hands on the goat's head and confess over it all the evils, sins, and rebellions of the people of Israel, and so transfer them to the goat's head. Then the goat is to be driven off into the desert by someone appointed to do it.

International Standard Version
Aaron is to lay his two hands upon the head of the male goat and confess over it the sins of Israel, all their transgressions, and all their sins, thus placing them on the head of the male goat that he'll then send out to the wilderness by the hand of a man capable of carrying out this task.

Majority Standard Bible
Then he is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the iniquities and rebellious acts of the Israelites in regard to all their sins. He is to put them on the goat’s head and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man appointed for the task.

NET Bible
Aaron is to lay his two hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the iniquities of the Israelites and all their transgressions in regard to all their sins, and thus he is to put them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man standing ready.

New Heart English Bible
Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, even all their sins; and he shall put them on the head of the goat, and shall send him away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who is in readiness.

Webster's Bible Translation
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:

World English Bible
Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, even all their sins; and he shall put them on the head of the goat, and shall send him away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who is ready.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Aaron has laid his two hands on the head of the living goat, and has confessed over it all the iniquities of the sons of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, and has put them on the head of the goat, and has sent [it] away by the hand of a ready man into the wilderness;

Young's Literal Translation
and Aaron hath laid his two hands on the head of the living goat, and hath confessed over it all the iniquities of the sons of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, and hath put them on the head of the goat, and hath sent it away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Aaron placed his two hands upon the head of the living he goat and confessed over him all the iniquities of the sons of Israel, and all their transgressions, and all their sins, and gave them upon the head of the he goat, and sent by the hand of a fit man to the desert.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And putting both hands upon his head, let him confess all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their offences and sins: and praying that they may light on his head, he shall turn him out by a man ready for it, into the desert.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And placing both hands upon its head, let him confess all the iniquities of the sons of Israel, and all of their offenses and sins. And calling these down upon its head, he shall send it away, by means of a man prepared to do so, into the desert.

New American Bible
Laying both hands on its head, he shall confess over it all the iniquities of the Israelites and their trespasses, including all their sins, and so put them on the goat’s head. He shall then have it led into the wilderness by an attendant.

New Revised Standard Version
Then 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, putting them on the head of the goat, and sending it away into the wilderness by means of someone designated for the task.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat and confess over it all the iniquities of the children of Israel and all their transgressions and all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send it away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Ahron shall put both his hands on the head of the living kid and shall confess over it all the stupidity of the children of Israel and all their evil and all their sins and he shall put them on the head of the kid and he shall send it to the wilderness by the hand of a man who is prepared:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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, even all their sins; and he shall put them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of an appointed man into the wilderness.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and Aaron shall lay his hands on the head of the live goat, and he shall declare over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their unrighteousness, and all their sins; and he shall lay them upon the head of the live goat, and shall send him by the hand of a ready man into the wilderness.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Scapegoat
20When Aaron has finished purifying the Most Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting, and the altar, he is to bring forward the live goat. 21Then he is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the iniquities and rebellious acts of the Israelites in regard to all their sins. He is to put them on the goat’s head and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man appointed for the task. 22The goat will carry on itself all their iniquities into a solitary place, and the man will release it into the wilderness.…

Cross References
Isaiah 53:4-6
Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. / But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. / We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.

Hebrews 9:7-8
But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. / By this arrangement the Holy Spirit was showing that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing.

Hebrews 9:11-12
But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation. / He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.

Hebrews 9:28
so also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.

2 Corinthians 5:21
God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

1 Peter 2:24
He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.”

John 1:29
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Matthew 8:17
This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.”

Romans 3:25
God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice in His blood through faith, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand.

Romans 8:3
For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh,

1 John 2:2
He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 John 4:10
And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Psalm 103:12
As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Numbers 29:11
Include one male goat for a sin offering, in addition to the sin offering of atonement and the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offerings.

Numbers 5:5-7
And the LORD said to Moses, / “Tell the Israelites that when a man or woman acts unfaithfully against the LORD by committing any sin against another, that person is guilty / and must confess the sin he has committed. He must make full restitution, add a fifth to its value, and give all this to the one he has wronged.


Treasury of Scripture

And Aaron shall lay both his hands on 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 on the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:

lay

Leviticus 1:4
And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.

Exodus 29:10
And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the bullock.

confess over

Leviticus 26:40
If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me;

Ezra 10:1
Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore.

Nehemiah 1:6,7
Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned…

putting

Isaiah 53:6
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

2 Corinthians 5:21
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

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Aaron Appointed Children Confess Fit Goat Hand Hands Head Iniquities Israel Lay Putting Readiness Sins Transgressions Wilderness
Leviticus 16
1. how the high priest must enter into the holy place
11. The sin offering for himself
15. The sin offering for the people
20. The scapegoat
29. The yearly feast of the expiations














He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat
The act of laying hands is deeply symbolic in the Hebrew tradition, signifying the transfer of sin and guilt. The Hebrew word for "lay" is "samakh," which means to support or lean upon. This gesture represents the high priest's role as a mediator between God and the people, physically transferring the collective sins of Israel onto the goat. The use of "both hands" emphasizes the completeness and totality of this transfer, ensuring that no sin is left unconfessed or unaccounted for.

and confess over it all the iniquities and rebellious acts of the Israelites
The Hebrew word for "confess" is "yadah," which means to acknowledge or make known. This confession is not just a ritualistic act but a profound acknowledgment of the people's sins before God. "Iniquities" (Hebrew: "avon") refers to moral perversity or guilt, while "rebellious acts" (Hebrew: "pesha") denote willful transgressions against God's law. This comprehensive confession underscores the seriousness of sin and the need for atonement.

all their sins
The term "sins" (Hebrew: "chatta'ah") encompasses all forms of moral failure and disobedience. By confessing "all their sins," the high priest ensures that nothing is hidden from God, highlighting the importance of transparency and repentance in the process of atonement. This act serves as a reminder of God's holiness and the need for His people to be cleansed from all unrighteousness.

He is to place them on the head of the goat
The phrase "place them" (Hebrew: "natan") signifies the deliberate and intentional act of transferring the sins onto the goat. This act symbolizes the removal of sin from the community, as the goat becomes the bearer of the people's iniquities. The "head of the goat" serves as the focal point for this transfer, representing the totality of the burden it carries.

and send it away into the wilderness
The wilderness, or "midbar" in Hebrew, is often depicted as a place of desolation and separation. Sending the goat into the wilderness symbolizes the removal of sin from the camp, illustrating God's desire to separate His people from their transgressions. This act of sending away signifies a fresh start and the hope of renewal for the Israelites.

by the hand of a man appointed for the task
The "man appointed" (Hebrew: "ish itti") is chosen specifically for this sacred duty, emphasizing the importance of obedience and faithfulness in carrying out God's commands. This appointed individual ensures that the goat, now bearing the sins of the people, is taken far away, never to return. This act of faithfulness reflects the community's trust in God's provision for atonement and forgiveness.

(21) And Aaron shall lay both his hands.--With the imposition of "both his hands," a phrase which only occurs in this ceremony, the high priest indicated in the most solemn manner possible that the animal was intended both for the priesthood and for the laity.

And confess over him all the iniquities.--This confession, which was at first extempore, was formulated during" the second Temple as follows: "O Lord, thy people, the house of Israel, have sinned, and done iniquity, and transgressed before thee. O Lord, I beseech thee, cover over the sins, the iniquities and the transgressions that thy people, the house of Israel, have sinned, have done iniquitously, and have transgressed before thee, as it is written in the Law of thy servant Moses" (Leviticus 16:30). The priests and the people who stood in the court when they heard the high priest utter the Ineffable name, Jehovah--which in the time of Christ was only pronounced on this day, and that by the pontiff--prostrated themselves, and with their faces to the ground responded, "Blessed be the name of His glorious kingdom for ever and ever."

Putting them upon the head of the goat.--By this imposition of hands, and the confession, the high priest transferred the sins of the nation to the goat. He then turned to the people, and declared, "Ye shall be clean."

Send him away by the hand of a fit man.--The guilt-laden animal was then entrusted to a man previously appointed, to be conducted to the lonely region, the abode of Azazel, thus carrying back to him the sins which he enticed the people to commit during the year. The phrase which is here rendered by "a fit man," and which occurs nowhere else in the Bible, denotes more properly a timely man, a man at hand, one appointed for the occasion. The marginal rendering, "a man of opportunity," is still more objectionable.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then [he]
אַהֲרֹ֜ן (’a·hă·rōn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 175: Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses

is to lay
וְסָמַ֨ךְ (wə·sā·maḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5564: To prop, to lean upon, take hold of

both
שְׁתֵּ֣י (šə·tê)
Number - fdc
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

hands
יָדָ֗יו (yā·ḏāw)
Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

on
עַ֨ל (‘al)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the head
רֹ֣אשׁ (rōš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7218: The head

of the live
הַחַי֒ (ha·ḥay)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

goat
הַשָּׂעִיר֮ (haś·śā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8163: Shaggy, a he-goat, a faun

and confess
וְהִתְוַדָּ֣ה (wə·hiṯ·wad·dāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3034: To throw, at, away, to revere, worship, to bemoan

over
עָלָ֗יו (‘ā·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

it
אֶת־ (’eṯ-)
Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the iniquities
עֲוֺנֹת֙ (‘ă·wō·nōṯ)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 5771: Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity

and rebellious acts
פִּשְׁעֵיהֶ֖ם (piš·‘ê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6588: Transgression

of the Israelites
בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

in regard to
לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

their sins.
חַטֹּאתָ֑ם (ḥaṭ·ṭō·ṯām)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2403: An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender

He is to put
וְנָתַ֤ן (wə·nā·ṯan)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

them on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the goat?s
הַשָּׂעִ֔יר (haś·śā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8163: Shaggy, a he-goat, a faun

head
רֹ֣אשׁ (rōš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7218: The head

and send it away
וְשִׁלַּ֛ח (wə·šil·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

into the wilderness
הַמִּדְבָּֽרָה׃ (ham·miḏ·bā·rāh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech

by the hand
בְּיַד־ (bə·yaḏ-)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

of a man
אִ֥ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

appointed for the task.
עִתִּ֖י (‘it·tî)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6261: Timely, ready


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OT Law: Leviticus 16:21 Aaron shall lay both his hands (Le Lv Lev.)
Leviticus 16:20
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