The ritual of confession over the scapegoat is a significant component of the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, as described in the Old Testament. This practice is detailed in Leviticus 16, where God instructs Moses on the procedures for the annual atonement for the sins of the Israelites.

Biblical Context

The Day of Atonement is a solemn day of fasting, prayer, and repentance, serving as a time for the Israelites to seek reconciliation with God. Central to this observance is the role of the high priest, who performs a series of sacrifices and rituals to atone for the sins of the people.

In Leviticus 16:7-10, the high priest is instructed to take two goats and present them before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Lots are cast for the two goats—one lot for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat, or Azazel. The goat for the LORD is sacrificed as a sin offering, while the scapegoat is kept alive and used for the ritual of confession and atonement.

The Ritual of Confession

Leviticus 16:21-22 describes the specific act of confession over the scapegoat: "He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the iniquities and transgressions of the Israelites, regarding all their sins. He shall place them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man appointed for the task. The goat will carry on itself all their iniquities to a solitary place, and the man will release it into the wilderness."

This act of laying hands on the goat symbolizes the transfer of the community's sins onto the animal. The confession made by the high priest encompasses all the iniquities, transgressions, and sins of the people, effectively placing the burden of their wrongdoing onto the scapegoat.

Symbolism and Significance

The scapegoat ritual is rich in symbolism, representing the removal of sin and guilt from the community. By sending the goat into the wilderness, the Israelites visually and spiritually experience the separation of their sins from themselves, as the goat carries their iniquities to a desolate place.

This practice underscores the holiness and justice of God, who requires atonement for sin, as well as His mercy, in providing a means for the people's sins to be symbolically removed. The scapegoat serves as a powerful foreshadowing of the ultimate atonement provided through Jesus Christ, who, according to Christian belief, bore the sins of humanity on the cross.

Theological Implications

The confession over the scapegoat highlights the necessity of acknowledging and repenting for sin. It emphasizes the communal aspect of sin and atonement, as the high priest acts on behalf of the entire nation. This ritual also points to the need for a mediator between God and humanity, a role fulfilled by the high priest in the Old Testament and ultimately by Christ in the New Testament.

In the broader biblical narrative, the scapegoat serves as a precursor to the New Covenant, where the sacrificial system is fulfilled and transcended by the sacrifice of Jesus. The concept of transferring sin and guilt onto a substitute is central to the Christian understanding of redemption and salvation.