And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.

LEVITICUS 16:5KJV
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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.

Where else these words appear

“kids” Hebrew H8163 · used in 57 verses

  • Genesis 27:11 And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man:
  • Leviticus 16:27 And the bullock for the sin offering, and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the holy place, shall one carry forth without the camp; and they shall burn in the fire their skins, and their flesh, and their dung.
  • Numbers 28:30 And one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you.

“goats” Hebrew H5795 · used in 74 verses

  • Genesis 15:9 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
  • Leviticus 9:3 And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying, Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt offering;
  • Numbers 29:5 And one kid of the goats for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you:

“congregation” Hebrew H5712 · used in 140 verses

  • Exodus 12:3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
  • Numbers 15:25 And the priest shall make an atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel, and it shall be forgiven them; for it is ignorance: and they shall bring their offering, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD, and their sin offering before the LORD, for their ignorance:
  • Numbers 31:16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.