And he brought the people's offering, and took the goat, which was the sin offering for the people, and slew it, and offered it for sin, as the first.

LEVITICUS 9:15KJV
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Leviticus 9:15 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 9:15 mean?

Leviticus 9:15 describes how Aaron, acting as high priest, presented the people’s offering by taking a goat, killing it, and offering it as a sin offering for the people, just as he had done with earlier offerings. This verse shows Aaron following the instructions for making atonement on behalf of the Israelites.

In this scene, Moses is overseeing Aaron’s first official acts as high priest on behalf of the people of Israel. The verse highlights that Aaron performs the ritual for the people’s sin offering (using a goat), following the same procedure as for his own sin offering. This moment is part of the larger ceremony where the priesthood is being established and the people’s relationship with God is being set right through these sacrifices.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 9:15

  • "brought" (וַיַּקְרֵב, vayyakrev; H7126) means to bring near or present, emphasizing Aaron’s role in actively presenting the offering before God.
  • "sin offering" (חַטָּאת, chatat; H2403) refers to a specific type of sacrifice meant to deal with sin and restore the relationship between the people and God.
  • "first" (הָרִאשׁוֹן, harishon; H7223) means the first or earlier, showing that Aaron is following the same process as with the previous sin offering, keeping the ritual consistent.

Why Leviticus 9:15 matters

  • Leviticus 9:15 clarifies that the priest’s own sacrifices and the people’s sacrifices follow the same careful process, underscoring the seriousness and order of the rituals.
  • The verse connects Aaron’s actions to the earlier instructions given by God, showing obedience and the importance of doing things “as the first,” or as previously commanded.
  • This verse helps readers see the priest’s role as a mediator, carrying out the necessary steps to address the people’s sin and restore their standing before God.

Where else these words appear

“goat” 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.

“slew” Hebrew H7819 · used in 70 verses

  • Genesis 22:10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
  • Leviticus 9:8 Aaron therefore went unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself.
  • 2 Kings 10:14 And he said, Take them alive. And they took them alive, and slew them at the pit of the shearing house, even two and forty men; neither left he any of them.

“offering” Hebrew H7133 · used in 78 verses

  • Leviticus 1:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.
  • Leviticus 7:16 But if the sacrifice of his offering be a vow, or a voluntary offering, it shall be eaten the same day that he offereth his sacrifice: and on the morrow also the remainder of it shall be eaten:
  • Numbers 7:41 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.