Leviticus 16:20 meaning

On the Day of Atonement, a profound ceremony outlined in ancient Hebrew law, the high priest performed a significant ritual involving two goats. One was sacrificed as an offering to atone for the sins of the people, while the other, known as the scapegoat, was symbolic of the removal of those sins into an uninhabited land. This ritual highlighted the separation between God and sin, signifying that the people's transgressions were not only acknowledged but also ceremonially eradicated. The act of laying both hands on the scapegoat's head was crucial, as it represented the transfer of the congregation's guilt to the animal, thus facilitating forgiveness.

As described in Leviticus 16:20, the high priest completes the reconciliation of the holy place and the tabernacle before addressing the goat that bears the sins of the nation. The sending away of the scapegoat symbolically illustrates the comprehensive nature of God's forgiveness, emphasizing that grievance could be wholly removed from His presence. This vivid act of atonement not only served the ancient Israelites but also foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who would take on humanity’s sins, ensuring that they are sought for and found no more.