Bible Strands
Leviticus 16:20
When Aaron has finished purifying the Most Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting, and the altar, he is to bring forward the live goat.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records Aaron’s actions during the Day of Atonement, immediately after he has cleansed the sanctuary and altar with blood. This moment occurs at the transition point between the blood rites and the handling of the live goat.
The words — The Hebrew מִ/כַּפֵּ֣ר (mi./ka.Per) literally means “from making atonement,” marking the end of the purification work. The verb כִלָּה (khi.Lah) indicates Aaron has finished this work before presenting the live goat.
The thread — This procedural sequence is anchored in the surrounding Day of Atonement instructions (Leviticus 16:16, Leviticus 16:21). Comparable atonement rites for unintentional straying appear in Ezekiel 45:20, while Leviticus 6:30 notes the restriction on eating offerings whose blood enters the Tent of Meeting.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to note the strict sequence: sanctuary purification must be completed before the live goat is brought forward. It establishes a procedural boundary that separates the cleansing of the holy spaces from the removal of confessed sins.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat:
Cross-references
- Leviticus 16:16 So he shall make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the impurities and rebellious acts of the Israelites in regard to all their sins. He is to do the same for the Tent of Meeting which abides among them in the midst of their impurities.
- Ezekiel 45:20 You must do the same thing on the seventh day of the month for anyone who strays unintentionally or in ignorance. In this way you will make atonement for the temple.
- Leviticus 6:30 But no sin offering may be eaten if its blood has been brought into the Tent of Meeting to make atonement in the Holy Place; it must be burned.
- Leviticus 8:15 Moses slaughtered the bull, took some of the blood, and applied it with his finger to all four horns of the altar, purifying the altar. He poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar and consecrated it so that atonement could be made on it.
- Romans 4:25 He was delivered over to death for our trespasses and was raised to life for our justification.
- Romans 8:34 Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us.
- 2 Corinthians 5:19 that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
- Colossians 1:20 and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross.
- Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.
- Revelation 1:18 the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades.