Leviticus 16:8
New International Version
He is to cast lots for the two goats—one lot for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat.

New Living Translation
He is to cast sacred lots to determine which goat will be reserved as an offering to the LORD and which will carry the sins of the people to the wilderness of Azazel.

English Standard Version
And Aaron shall cast lots over the two goats, one lot for the LORD and the other lot for Azazel.

Berean Standard Bible
After Aaron casts lots for the two goats, one for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat,

King James Bible
And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.

New King James Version
Then Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats: one lot for the LORD and the other lot for the scapegoat.

New American Standard Bible
Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats, one lot for the LORD and the other lot for the scapegoat.

NASB 1995
“Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats, one lot for the LORD and the other lot for the scapegoat.

NASB 1977
“And Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats, one lot for the LORD and the other lot for the scapegoat.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats, one lot for Yahweh and the other lot for the scapegoat.

Amplified Bible
Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats—one lot for the LORD, the other lot for the scapegoat.

Christian Standard Bible
After Aaron casts lots for the two goats, one lot for the LORD and the other for an uninhabitable place,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
After Aaron casts lots for the two goats, one lot for the LORD and the other for azazel,

American Standard Version
And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for Jehovah, and the other lot for Azazel.

Contemporary English Version
where I will show you which goat will be sacrificed to me and which one will be sent into the desert to the demon Azazel.

English Revised Version
And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for Azazel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Aaron must throw lots for the two goats. One lot will be for the LORD and the other for Azazel.

Good News Translation
There he shall draw lots, using two stones, one marked "for the LORD" and the other "for Azazel."

International Standard Version
Aaron is to cast lots over the two male goats—one lot for the LORD and the other one for the scapegoat.

Majority Standard Bible
After Aaron casts lots for the two goats, one for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat,

NET Bible
and Aaron is to cast lots over the two goats, one lot for the LORD and one lot for Azazel.

New Heart English Bible
Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scape-goat.

World English Bible
Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats: one lot for Yahweh, and the other lot for the scapegoat.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Aaron has given lots over the two goats, one lot for YHWH and one lot for a goat of departure;

Young's Literal Translation
'And Aaron hath given lots over the two goats, one lot for Jehovah, and one lot for a goat of departure;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Aaron gave lots upon the two he goats; one lot for Jehovah, and one lot for the goat set apart.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And casting lots upon them both, one to be offered to the Lord, and the other to be the emissary goat:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And casting lots over them both, one is to be offered to the Lord, and the other is to be the emissary goat.

New American Bible
he shall cast lots to determine which one is for the LORD and which for Azazel.

New Revised Standard Version
and Aaron shall cast lots on the two goats, one lot for the LORD and the other lot for Azazel.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats, one lot for the LORD and the other lot for Azazael.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Ahron shall cast lots for both kids; one lot for LORD JEHOVAH and one lot for Azazayel.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats: one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for Azazel.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats, one lot for the Lord, and the other for the scape-goat.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Law of Atonement
7Then he shall take the two goats and present them before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 8After Aaron casts lots for the two goats, one for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat, 9he shall present the goat chosen by lot for the LORD and sacrifice it as a sin offering.…

Cross References
Hebrews 9:7-12
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. / It is an illustration for the present time, because the gifts and sacrifices being offered were unable to cleanse the conscience of the worshiper. ...

Hebrews 9:24-28
For Christ did not enter a man-made copy of the true sanctuary, but He entered heaven itself, now to appear on our behalf in the presence of God. / Nor did He enter heaven to offer Himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. / Otherwise, Christ would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But now He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself. ...

Hebrews 10:1-4
For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. / If it could, would not the offerings have ceased? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt the guilt of their sins. / Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, ...

Hebrews 10:19-22
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, / by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body, / and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ...

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.

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.

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!

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.

Matthew 27:15-26
Now it was the governor’s custom at the feast to release to the crowd a prisoner of their choosing. / At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner named Barabbas. / So when the crowd had assembled, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” ...

Mark 15:6-15
Now it was Pilate’s custom at the feast to release to the people a prisoner of their choosing. / And a man named Barabbas was imprisoned with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. / So the crowd went up and began asking Pilate to keep his custom. ...

Luke 23:13-25
Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, / and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined Him here in your presence and found Him not guilty of your charges against Him. / Neither has Herod, for he sent Him back to us. As you can see, He has done nothing deserving of death. ...

Acts 3:14
You rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.

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.

Isaiah 53:10-12
Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush Him and to cause Him to suffer; and when His soul is made a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand. / After the anguish of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant will justify many, and He will bear their iniquities. / Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.


Treasury of Scripture

And Aaron shall cast lots on the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.

cast lots

Numbers 26:55
Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit.

Numbers 33:54
And ye shall divide the land by lot for an inheritance among your families: and to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer ye shall give the less inheritance: every man's inheritance shall be in the place where his lot falleth; according to the tribes of your fathers ye shall inherit.

Joshua 18:10,11
And Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD: and there Joshua divided the land unto the children of Israel according to their divisions…

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Aaron Azazel Aza'zel Cast Decision Departure Goat Goats Lots Scapegoat Scape-Goat Selection
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Aaron Azazel Aza'zel Cast Decision Departure Goat Goats Lots Scapegoat Scape-Goat Selection
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 cast lots
The phrase "He is to cast lots" refers to the ancient practice of determining God's will or making decisions by casting lots, which were similar to dice or small stones. In Hebrew, the word for "lots" is "goral," which signifies a portion or destiny. This practice underscores the belief in divine sovereignty, where God is seen as actively guiding the outcomes of such decisions. Casting lots was a common biblical method for discerning God's will, as seen in other scriptures like Joshua 18:10 and Acts 1:26. It reflects a deep trust in God's providence and His control over seemingly random events.

for the two goats
The "two goats" are central to the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, a significant and solemn day in the Jewish calendar. These goats symbolize the dual aspects of atonement: one for sacrifice and the other for removal of sin. Historically, goats were common sacrificial animals in ancient Israel, representing purity and substitution. The use of two goats highlights the completeness of the atonement process, addressing both the need for sacrifice and the removal of sin from the community.

one for the LORD
The phrase "one for the LORD" indicates that one of the goats is designated as a sin offering to Yahweh. In Hebrew, "for the LORD" is "laYHWH," signifying dedication to God. This goat is sacrificed, symbolizing the payment for sin and the appeasement of God's righteous judgment. The act of sacrifice is a central theme in the Old Testament, pointing to the necessity of bloodshed for the forgiveness of sins, as later fulfilled in the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

and the other for the scapegoat
The term "scapegoat" is derived from the Hebrew word "Azazel," which has been interpreted in various ways, including as a name for a wilderness demon or as a symbolic representation of the removal of sin. The scapegoat is not sacrificed but is sent into the wilderness, carrying the sins of the people away from the camp. This act of sending the goat away symbolizes the complete removal and forgiveness of sin, illustrating God's mercy and the cleansing of His people. The concept of the scapegoat foreshadows the redemptive work of Christ, who bore our sins and removed them as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12).

(8) And Aaron shall cast lots.--The lots consisted of two small tablets which at an earlier time were of box or ebony wood, but which during the later part of the second Temple were made of gold, and were kept in a wooden chest. On the one was engraved the words "For Jehovah," and on the other "For Azazel," the expression in the original, which is translated scapegoat in the Authorised Version. The high priest, after shaking the chest, put both his hands into the urn and simultaneously took out the two tablets, one in each hand. Hereupon he put the tablet which he had in his right hand upon the goat that was standing on his right side, whilst the tablet in his left hand he put on the goat on his left side. If the tablet with the in scription "For Jehovah was in his right hand the chief priest who stood at the right of the pontiff exclaimed "Hold up thy right hand on high!" and if it happened to be in the left hand, the chief of the principal household, who stood on his left, called out to him "Hold up thy left hand." Hereupon the high priest laid the two lots on the two goats, the one in the right hand on the goat at his right, and the one in the left hand on the animal at his left, exclaiming at the same time, "To the Lord a sin offering!"

And the other lot for the scapegoat.--Better, and the other lot for Azazel. The word, which only occurs in this chapter, probably denotes the utterly banished demon, the prince of the evil spirits, who with his legions occupies the desert regions and desolated places. (Comp. Isaiah 13:21; Isaiah 34:14; Matthew 12:43; Luke 11:24; Revelation 18:2.) As the removal or pardon of sin is often represented in the Bible by its being banished into the uttermost parts of the earth and seas (Micah 7:19; Psalm 103:12), nothing could be more striking or convey to the people the idea of absolute forgiveness better than this symbolical act of sending the goat laden with the sins of the congregation to the wilderness, the abode of the prince of darkness, back to the author of all sin. The rendering, scapegoat, is contrary to the manifest antithesis of the verse. If the one member "For Jehovah" denotes a person, the second member "For Azazel," which forms the contrast, must, prima facie, also denote a person. Besides, the translation scapegoat cannot be admitted in the next verse but one, where, if adopted, it would literally be "to send the goat to the scapegoat in the wilderness" .(see Leviticus 16:10), or in Leviticus 16:26, where it is, "and he who taketh away the goat to the scapegoat." . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
After Aaron
אַהֲרֹ֛ן (’a·hă·rōn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 175: Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses

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

lots
גּוֹרָל֑וֹת (gō·w·rā·lō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1486: Lot -- a lot (for casting)

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

the two
שְׁנֵ֥י (šə·nê)
Number - mdc
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

goats,
הַשְּׂעִירִ֖ם (haś·śə·‘î·rim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8163: Shaggy, a he-goat, a faun

one
אֶחָד֙ (’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

for the LORD
לַיהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

and the other
אֶחָ֖ד (’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

for the scapegoat,
לַעֲזָאזֵֽל׃ (la·‘ă·zā·zêl)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5799: Goat of departure, the scapegoat


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OT Law: Leviticus 16:8 Aaron shall cast lots for the two (Le Lv Lev.)
Leviticus 16:7
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