And he shall take from the congregation of IsraelThis phrase indicates the communal aspect of the atonement process. The congregation of Israel refers to the entire community, emphasizing that the Day of Atonement was a national event. The high priest acted on behalf of all the people, highlighting the collective responsibility for sin. This communal approach is seen throughout the Old Testament, where the actions of individuals often had implications for the entire community (e.g.,
Joshua 7:1-26).
two male goats for a sin offering
The two male goats are central to the ritual of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. One goat was sacrificed as a sin offering, symbolizing the payment for the people's sins. The other, known as the scapegoat, was sent into the wilderness, symbolically carrying away the sins of Israel (Leviticus 16:10). This dual aspect of atonement—sacrifice and removal of sin—foreshadows the work of Jesus Christ, who both paid the penalty for sin and removed it from believers (Hebrews 9:28).
and one ram for a burnt offering
The ram for a burnt offering signifies complete dedication and consecration to God. Unlike the sin offering, which dealt with atonement, the burnt offering was entirely consumed by fire, representing total surrender and devotion. This offering underscores the need for holiness and commitment to God following the cleansing from sin. The burnt offering is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, seen in the sacrifices of Noah (Genesis 8:20) and Abraham (Genesis 22:13), and it points to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who offered Himself wholly to God (Ephesians 5:2).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
AaronThe high priest who performs the atonement rituals on the Day of Atonement.
2.
The Congregation of the IsraelitesThe community of Israel from whom the offerings are taken.
3.
Two Male GoatsUsed for the sin offering, one of which is sacrificed, and the other is sent into the wilderness as the scapegoat.
4.
One RamUsed for the burnt offering, symbolizing complete dedication to God.
5.
The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)A significant annual event for the Israelites, focusing on atonement and reconciliation with God.
Teaching Points
The Seriousness of SinThe need for a sin offering highlights the gravity of sin and the necessity of atonement.
Substitutionary AtonementThe two goats represent the concept of substitution, where one bears the sin and the other carries it away, prefiguring Christ's work.
Community ResponsibilityThe offerings are taken from the congregation, emphasizing communal involvement in atonement and worship.
Complete DedicationThe burnt offering symbolizes total surrender and dedication to God, a call for believers to offer themselves wholly to God.
Christ as FulfillmentJesus fulfills the roles of both the sin offering and the scapegoat, providing complete atonement for humanity.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Leviticus 16:5?
2.What is the significance of "two male goats" for the sin offering in Leviticus 16:5?
3.How does Leviticus 16:5 foreshadow Christ's atoning sacrifice for our sins?
4.Why is communal atonement important in Leviticus 16:5, and how can we apply it?
5.How does Leviticus 16:5 connect with Hebrews 9:12-14 regarding Christ's sacrifice?
6.What lessons from Leviticus 16:5 can guide our understanding of repentance today?
7.What is the significance of the two male goats in Leviticus 16:5?
8.How does Leviticus 16:5 relate to the concept of atonement in Christianity?
9.Why were goats chosen for the sin offering in Leviticus 16:5?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 16?
11.Is Jesus superior to Levitical sacrifices?
12.What is a trespass offering?
13.How does calling Jesus 'the Lamb of God' who removes sin (John 1:29) fit with conflicting Old Testament sacrificial laws?
14.Amos 5:25 - How can Amos assert that Israel did not offer sacrifices in the wilderness when Exodus and Leviticus detail extensive sacrificial ordinances?What Does Leviticus 16:5 Mean
And he shall takeAaron, the high priest, does not decide on his own what to bring; he obeys God’s explicit instructions (Leviticus 16:2–4). Obedience precedes atonement, foreshadowing Christ who said, “I have come to do Your will, O God” (Hebrews 10:7). The initiative is divine, not human (Hebrews 9:7–8).
from the congregation of IsraelThe animals come from the people themselves, making clear that the sacrifice represents them. In earlier legislation the elders laid hands on the sin offering “for the whole assembly” (Leviticus 4:13-15), showing corporate identification. The community supplies what will bear its guilt, just as Christ “shared in their humanity” (Hebrews 2:14) to carry ours.
two male goatsMore than one goat is needed because each will play a distinct role (Leviticus 16:7-10):
• One is slain for the LORD, its blood taken behind the veil (Hebrews 9:12).
• The other, the scapegoat, symbolically bears sins into the wilderness, “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12).
Both together portray substitution and removal of sin, fulfilled when Jesus became “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
for a sin offeringSin offerings deal specifically with guilt and defilement (Leviticus 4:20, 26). Blood is applied where God’s presence dwells, emphasizing that sin offends His holiness (Hebrews 9:22). The goats point to the perfect sacrifice of Him who “was made sin for us” (2 Corinthians 5:21), obtaining “eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:12).
and one ramAfter atonement, a different animal appears. Rams had earlier accompanied covenant ceremonies (Exodus 29:15-18) and substitutionary moments like Isaac on Mount Moriah (Genesis 22:13). The ram accents dedication rather than cleansing.
for a burnt offeringBurnt offerings are wholly consumed, rising as “a pleasing aroma to the LORD” (Leviticus 1:9). They symbolize total surrender and acceptance. Once sin is dealt with, worshipers may offer themselves completely; Paul echoes this pattern: “present your bodies as a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). The sequence mirrors salvation’s order—cleansing first, consecration next.
summaryLeviticus 16:5 shows God providing a precise, two-stage remedy for sin: two goats remove guilt, and a ram expresses renewed devotion. By supplying the animals, the congregation acknowledges responsibility; by accepting them, God offers mercy. The verse anticipates Jesus’ perfect work—both the sin-bearing substitute and the means of wholehearted reconciliation—so that forgiven people may live in devoted fellowship with their holy God.
(5)
And he shall take of the congregation.--On this occasion the high priest himself had to officiate, by virtue of his being the chief mediator between God and His people.
Two kids of the goats.--Better,two shaggy he-goats.(SeeLeviticus 4:23.) These two goats, which were the sin offering for the people, and the ram, which was their burnt offering, were purchased with the money of the public some time before the Day of Atonement. During the second Temple the two goats had to be alike in value, equal in size, and of the same colour. If one of them happened to die after the decision of the lot, a new pair had to be purchased, and the surviving one of the original pair was kept and properly fed till it became ritually defective, whereupon it was sold, and the money paid into the sacred treasury.
Verse 5. -
And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats. It was necessary that the sacrifice offered for a person or class of persons should be provided by the offerer or offerers. The
two kids of the goats, or rather the
two he-goats, constituted together but one sin offering. This is important for the understanding of the sequel.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Andוּמֵאֵ֗ת(ū·mê·’êṯ)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Direct object marker
Strong's 853:Untranslatable mark of the accusative casehe shall takeיִקַּ֛ח(yiq·qaḥ)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947:To takefrom the congregationעֲדַת֙(‘ă·ḏaṯ)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5712:A stated assemblageof the Israelitesבְּנֵ֣י(bə·nê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121:A sontwoשְׁנֵֽי־(šə·nê-)Number - mdc
Strong's 8147:Two (a cardinal number)male goatsשְׂעִירֵ֥י(śə·‘î·rê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8163:Shaggy, a he-goat, a faunfor a sin offeringלְחַטָּ֑את(lə·ḥaṭ·ṭāṯ)Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2403:An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offenderand oneאֶחָ֖ד(’e·ḥāḏ)Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259:United, one, firstramוְאַ֥יִל(wə·’a·yil)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 352:Strength, strong, a chief, a ram, a pilaster, an oak, strong treefor a burnt offering.לְעֹלָֽה׃(lə·‘ō·lāh)Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5930:Whole burnt offering
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OT Law: Leviticus 16:5 He shall take from the congregation (Le Lv Lev.) 
