Leviticus 16:7 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 16:7 mean?

Leviticus 16:7 describes how the priest is to take two goats and bring them before the LORD at the entrance of the tabernacle, where the people of Israel gather for worship. This action is part of a specific ritual, setting the stage for what will happen to these goats as part of the Day of Atonement ceremony.

In this chapter, God is giving Moses instructions for Aaron, the high priest, about how to perform the annual Day of Atonement. The two goats are brought to the doorway of the tabernacle, a central place where the community meets with God, and they will soon be given different roles in the ritual that follows.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 16:7

• "Goats" (שְׂעִיר H8163, se'ir): This word refers to male goats, which were commonly used in Israelite sacrifices. The use of two goats here is unique to the Day of Atonement ritual.
• "Present" (עָמַד H5975, amad): This word means to stand or set something in place. Here, it highlights that the goats are not just brought near but are deliberately placed before the LORD, emphasizing their role in the ritual.
• "Before" (פָּנִים H6440, panim): This word means "in the presence of" or "before the face of." It stresses that the goats are brought directly into God's presence at the entrance of the tabernacle, not just anywhere in the camp.

Why Leviticus 16:7 matters

• This verse shows the careful preparation and seriousness of the Day of Atonement, where every action is done publicly and according to God's instructions.
• The mention of two goats being presented together sets up the important roles they will play—one as a sacrifice and the other as the "scapegoat"—which are explained in the following verses.
• By specifying the location ("at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation"), the verse highlights the public and communal nature of this ritual, showing it is for all the people, not just the priest.