Book of Leviticus - Chapter 16 - Verse 22

Within this passage, the act of laying the sins of the people upon a goat symbolizes the transferring of their guilt and wrongdoings onto a blameless animal. This ritual represents the belief that through this sacrificial act, the sins of the people are metaphorically removed and carried away, allowing for a sense of cleansing and forgiveness to take place. The act of releasing the goat into the wilderness signifies the complete removal and abandonment of these sins, as the goat is sent off to a place uninhabited by humans, thereby symbolizing the final separation of the people from their transgressions. This process serves as a powerful reminder of the concept of atonement and the importance of repentance and seeking forgiveness in order to regain purity and spiritual reconciliation.

This verse from Leviticus 16:22 describes the ritual of the scapegoat, where one goat is chosen by lot to carry all the sins of the people of Israel into the wilderness. The theological interpretation of this verse highlights the symbolism of the scapegoat as a representation of the removal of sin and guilt from the community. The act of transferring the sins onto the goat and then releasing it into the wilderness was a way for the Israelites to physically and spiritually cleanse themselves of their wrongdoing. This ritual foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who bore the sins of humanity on the cross. Through this act of atonement, believers are freed from the burden of sin and granted forgiveness and reconciliation with God. The word study in this verse reveals that the Hebrew word for "iniquities" is "avon," which refers to both intentional and unintentional sin, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the scapegoat's role in purifying the people of Israel.