Leviticus 16:26 Study Bible: "He who lets the goat go for the scapegoat shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp.

Bible > Leviticus > Chapter 16 > Verse 26

◄ Leviticus 16:26 ►

The man who released the goat as the scapegoat must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water; afterward he may reenter the camp.

Study Bible

The man who released the goat
This phrase refers to the individual tasked with leading the scapegoat into the wilderness. In Hebrew, the term for "released" is "שִׁלַּח" (shillach), which implies sending away or letting go. This act symbolizes the removal of the people's sins, as the goat carries them into a desolate place. Historically, this role was significant, as it required a person of integrity to ensure the ritual was performed correctly, emphasizing the seriousness of atonement.

as the scapegoat
The term "scapegoat" is derived from the Hebrew "עֲזָאזֵל" (Azazel), which has been interpreted in various ways, including a reference to a rugged place or a demonic entity. Theologically, the scapegoat represents the complete removal of sin from the community, a precursor to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who bore the sins of humanity.

must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water
This requirement underscores the importance of ritual purity. The Hebrew word for "wash" is "כִּבֵּס" (kibbes), and "bathe" is "רָחַץ" (rachatz). These actions symbolize purification and cleansing from the defilement associated with sin. In a broader spiritual context, it reflects the need for personal holiness and the cleansing power of God’s forgiveness.

afterward he may reenter the camp
The phrase indicates a return to the community after purification. The camp represents the dwelling place of God's people, and reentry signifies restoration and acceptance. This mirrors the Christian belief in reconciliation with God and the community after repentance and cleansing through Christ’s sacrifice.

Persons / Places / Events

1. The Scapegoat
In the Day of Atonement ritual, one goat is chosen by lot to be the scapegoat, symbolically bearing the sins of the people and being sent into the wilderness.

2. The Man Who Releases the Goat
This individual is responsible for leading the scapegoat into the wilderness, away from the camp, symbolizing the removal of sin from the community.

3. The Camp
Represents the dwelling place of the Israelites, where God's presence resides among His people. Reentry into the camp signifies purification and restoration.

4. Washing and Bathing
A ritual act of purification, signifying the removal of impurity and readiness to rejoin the community.

5. Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)
An annual event in the Jewish calendar, a solemn day dedicated to atonement and repentance, central to the Israelites' relationship with God.

Teaching Points

Symbolism of the Scapegoat
The scapegoat represents the complete removal of sin, a precursor to Christ's ultimate sacrifice. Reflect on how Jesus, as our scapegoat, takes away our sins permanently.

Purification and Holiness
The requirement for the man to wash and bathe before reentering the camp underscores the importance of purity and holiness in approaching God. Consider how we maintain spiritual purity in our daily lives.

Community and Restoration
The act of reentering the camp after purification signifies restoration to the community. Reflect on the importance of reconciliation and unity within the body of Christ.

Rituals and Heart Attitude
While rituals were important, they pointed to a deeper heart attitude of repentance and obedience. Evaluate how our external actions reflect our internal devotion to God.

Christ as Our Atonement
The Day of Atonement foreshadows Christ's work on the cross. Meditate on the completeness of His sacrifice and how it impacts our relationship with God.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the role of the scapegoat in Leviticus 16:26 help us understand the concept of atonement in the Old Testament?

2. In what ways does the purification process for the man who released the goat parallel our spiritual cleansing through Christ?

3. How can we apply the principles of purification and holiness in our daily walk with God, as seen in the requirement for washing and bathing?

4. What does the act of reentering the camp after purification teach us about the importance of community and restoration in the church?

5. How does the Day of Atonement, as described in Leviticus 16, point to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and how should this understanding affect our worship and gratitude?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Hebrews 9
Discusses the limitations of the Old Testament sacrifices and the ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who is the perfect atonement for sin.

Psalm 103
Speaks of God's forgiveness and the removal of our transgressions, akin to the scapegoat carrying away the sins of the people.

1 John 1:9
Emphasizes confession and purification from sin, paralleling the cleansing rituals in Leviticus.

Sermons

The Climax of Sacrificial Worship: the Day of Atonement	R.M. Edgar	Leviticus 16:1-34
The Great Day of Atonement	R.A. Redford	Leviticus 16:1-34
A Proffered Substitute	W. Thompson.	Leviticus 16:3-34
Christ Typified by the Two Goats	J. Burns, D. D.	Leviticus 16:3-34
Christian's Confession of Sin	Spurgeon, Charles Haddon	Leviticus 16:3-34
Christ's Anesthesia for the Remembrance of Sin		Leviticus 16:3-34
Hindrances to Repentance Removed	J. Spencer.	Leviticus 16:3-34
Intercession of Christ	S. Thodey.	Leviticus 16:3-34
Lessons	A. Willet, D. D.	Leviticus 16:3-34
Moral Observations	A. Willet, D. D.	Leviticus 16:3-34
Moses and Christ; the Day of Atonement	W. Clarkson, B. A.	Leviticus 16:3-34
Need for the Great Atonement	J. Hamilton, D. D.	Leviticus 16:3-34
Sinners Always Ready to Conceal Their Sin	T. Adams.	Leviticus 16:3-34
Spiritual Significance of the Ceremonies on the Day of Atonement	T. M. Morris.	Leviticus 16:3-34
The Annual Atonement	Spurgeon, Charles Haddon	Leviticus 16:3-34
The Ceremonies of the Day of Atonement	F. E. Clark.	Leviticus 16:3-34
The Climax of Sacrificial Worship	R. M.,Edgar, M. A.	Leviticus 16:3-34
The Day of Atonement	Spurgeon, Charles Haddon	Leviticus 16:3-34
The Day of Atonement	D. O. Mears.	Leviticus 16:3-34
The Day of Atonement	D. C. Hughes, M. A.	Leviticus 16:3-34
The Day of Atonement	H. Melvill, B. D.	Leviticus 16:3-34
The Day of Atonement	J. A. Seiss, D. D.	Leviticus 16:3-34
The Garments of the Priest	F. E. Clark.	Leviticus 16:3-34
The Two Goats	F. E. Clark.	Leviticus 16:3-34
The Two Goats -- Various Interpretations	J. Cumming, D. D.	Leviticus 16:3-34
There Shalt be no Man in the Tabernacle	H. C. Trumbull.	Leviticus 16:3-34
True Repentance	H. W. Beecher.	Leviticus 16:3-34
Trusting in the Substitute		Leviticus 16:3-34
Value of Repentance	J. Spencer.	Leviticus 16:3-34
The Sacrifices of the Day of Atonement	J.A. Macdonald	Leviticus 16:5-28

People

Aaron, Israelites, Moses

Places

Teman

Topics

Afterward, Afterwards, Azazel, Aza'zel, Bathe, Bathed, Body, Camp, Clothes, Clothing, Departure, Flesh, Garments, Goat, Lets, Letteth, Released, Scapegoat, Scape-goat, Sending, Takes, Tent-circle, Wash, Washed

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Leviticus 16:26

     7328   ceremonies
     7342   cleanliness
     7440   scapegoat
     8325   purity, nature of

Leviticus 16:1-33

6616 atonement, in OT

Leviticus 16:1-34

1680 types
7422 ritual

Leviticus 16:2-34

5378 law, OT

Leviticus 16:3-34

6648 expiation
8629 worship, times

Leviticus 16:20-31

7308 Atonement, Day of

Leviticus 16:20-34

6175 guilt, removal of

Leviticus 16:24-28

7416 purification

Leviticus 16:26-28

     5129   bathing
     7426   ritual washing
     7478   washing

Library

August 9. "He Shall Lay Both his Hands Upon the Head of the Live Goat, and Confess Over Him all the Iniquities of the Children of Israel; Transgressions and Sins" (Lev. xvi. 21).
"He shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel; transgressions and sins" (Lev. xvi. 21). As any evil comes up, and the consciousness of any unholy thing touches our inner senses, it is our privilege at once to hand it over to the Holy Ghost and to lay it upon Jesus, as something already crucified with Him, and as of old, in the case of the sin offering, it will be carried without the camp and burned to ashes. There may …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Day of Atonement
'And the Lord spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron when they offered before the Lord, and died; 2. And the Lord said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy-seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy-seat. 3. Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place; with a young bullock for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering. 4. He shall put on the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Day of Atonement
Now, I shall invite your attention to the ceremonies of this solemn day, taking the different parts in detail. First, we shall consider the person who made the atonement; secondly, the sacrifice whereby the atonement was typically made; thirdly, the effects of the atonement; and fourthly, our behaviour on the recollection of the atonement, as well set forth by the conduct prescribed to the Israelites on that day. I. First, THE PERSON WHO WAS TO MAKE THE ATONEMENT. And at the outset, we remark that …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 2: 1856

The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Foreshadowed in the Ritual on the Annual Day of Israel's Atonement.
The order of events on the Day of Atonement are described in Leviticus 16, a chapter which is exceedingly rich in its typical signification. The Day of Atonement had to do with the putting away of Israel's sins, therefore, its dispensational application refers mainly to Israel though, as we shall see, the Church was also typically represented. We shall not now attempt anything more than a bare outline of the happenings of that most memorable day on Israel's sacred calendar. The order of its ritual …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

The Great High-Priest.
"Having then a great High-priest, Who hath passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high-priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but One that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need. For every high-priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

Fifth Sunday in Lent
Text: Hebrews 9, 11-15. 11 But Christ having come a high priest of the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, 12 nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling them that have been defiled, sanctify unto the cleanness of the flesh: …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

Parable of the Pharisee and Publican.
^C Luke XVIII. 9-14. ^c 9 And he spake also this parable unto certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and set all others at nought [It is commonly said that this parable teaches humility in prayer, but the preface and conclusion (see verse 14) show that it is indeed to set forth generally the difference between self-righteousness and humility, and that an occasion of prayer is chosen because it best illustrates the point which the Lord desired to teach. The parable shows that …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Intercession of Christ
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us! T he Redemption of the soul is precious. Fools make mock of sin (Proverbs 14:9) . But they will not think lightly of it, who duly consider the majesty, authority, and goodness of Him, against whom it is committed; and who are taught, by what God actually has done, what sin rendered necessary to be done, before a sinner could have a well-grounded …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

The Call of Matthew - the Saviour's Welcome to Sinners - Rabbinic Theology as Regards the Doctrine of Forgiveness in Contrast to the Gospel of Christ
In two things chiefly does the fundamental difference appear between Christianity and all other religious systems, notably Rabbinism. And in these two things, therefore, lies the main characteristic of Christ's work; or, taking a wider view, the fundamental idea of all religions. Subjectively, they concern sin and the sinner; or, to put it objectively, the forgiveness of sin and the welcome to the sinner. But Rabbinism, and every other system down to modern humanitarianism - if it rises so high in …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Sundry Exhortations.
HEBREWS xiii. Let love of the brethren continue. Forget not to shew love unto strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; them that are evil entreated, as being yourselves also in the body. Let marriage be had in honour among all, and let the bed be undefiled: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Be ye free from the love of money; content with such things as ye have: for Himself hath said, I will in no wise fail thee, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

The Cavils of the Pharisees Concerning Purification, and the Teaching of the Lord Concerning Purity - the Traditions Concerning Hand-Washing' and Vows. '
As we follow the narrative, confirmatory evidence of what had preceded springs up at almost every step. It is quite in accordance with the abrupt departure of Jesus from Capernaum, and its motives, that when, so far from finding rest and privacy at Bethsaida (east of the Jordan), a greater multitude than ever had there gathered around Him, which would fain have proclaimed Him King, He resolved on immediate return to the western shore, with the view of seeking a quieter retreat, even though it were …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Christ a Complete Saviour:
OR, THE INTERCESSION OF CHRIST, AND WHO ARE PRIVILEGED IN IT. BY JOHN BUNYAN Advertisement by the Editor. However strange it may appear, it is a solemn fact, that the heart of man, unless prepared by a sense of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, rejects Christ as a complete Saviour. The pride of human nature will not suffer it to fall, as helpless and utterly undone, into the arms of Divine mercy. Man prefers a partial Saviour; one who had done so much, that, with the sinner's aid, the work might be …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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