Book of Leviticus - Chapter 16 - Verse 21

In this verse, we see a ritual known as the Day of Atonement, which was an important ceremony in ancient Israelite religious practices. During this ritual, the high priest, Aaron, performed a symbolic act of transferring the sins of the people onto a live goat. By placing his hands on the goat's head and confessing the sins of the people, Aaron symbolically transferred the sins of the community onto the animal. This act served as a way for the people to be cleansed of their sins and to seek forgiveness from God. The goat, known as the scapegoat, was then sent away into the wilderness, carrying with it the sins of the people. This act was a powerful symbol of the people's desire to be reconciled with God and to be purified from their wrongdoing. It served as a reminder of the importance of repentance and seeking forgiveness in order to maintain a strong relationship with God.

During biblical times, the act of laying hands on a sacrifice symbolized the transfer of sins from the people onto the animal, signifying the atonement or forgiveness of sins. In this particular verse from Leviticus, Aaron, the high priest, is instructed to lay his hands on a live goat and confess all the sins of the Israelites, transferring their iniquities and transgressions onto the animal. This ritual was part of the Day of Atonement, also known as Yom Kippur, which was a significant day in the Jewish calendar for seeking forgiveness and reconciliation with God. The live goat, known as the scapegoat, would then be sent away into the wilderness, representing the removal of sin from the community. This symbolic gesture served as a reminder of God's mercy and forgiveness, as well as the need for repentance and the importance of purifying oneself from sin. The theological interpretation of this verse emphasizes the concept of atonement, sacrificial offering, and the significance of seeking forgiveness for one's wrongdoing.