Leviticus 16:5 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 16:5 mean?

Leviticus 16:5 describes how Aaron, the high priest, must take two young goats from the people of Israel as a sin offering and one ram as a burnt offering. These animals are to be presented to God as part of the ritual for atonement on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).

In this verse, God is giving Moses instructions for Aaron about the specific animals required for the central ceremony of atonement. The two goats are for a sin offering, which deals with the people's sins, while the ram is for a burnt offering, which symbolizes dedication to God. This sets the stage for the detailed rituals that follow in the chapter.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 16:5

• "congregation" (עֵדָה, edah): This word refers to the whole community of Israel, emphasizing that the offerings are on behalf of everyone, not just individuals.
• "kids" (שָׂעִיר, sair) and "goats" (עֵז, ez`): The verse uses both words, highlighting that the animals must be young male goats, a specific requirement for this ritual.
• "offering" (חַטָּאת, chatta't): This is the word for "sin offering," which is a sacrifice made to deal with sin and restore the relationship between the people and God.
• "offering" (עֹלָה, olah): This is the word for "burnt offering," a sacrifice that is completely burned, representing total surrender or dedication to God.

Why Leviticus 16:5 matters

• Leviticus 16:5 clarifies that the atonement ritual is for the entire community, not just for the priests or a select group.
• The verse shows that both sin and dedication are addressed: the sin offering deals with guilt, and the burnt offering expresses renewed commitment.
• This instruction is foundational for understanding the rest of Leviticus 16, which describes the Day of Atonement, a key event in Israel’s religious calendar.