Bible Strands
Leviticus 16:8
After Aaron casts lots for the two goats, one for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Aaron acts at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting after presenting two goats before the LORD. He determines their separate destinies through a divinely directed process.
The words — The Hebrew גּוֹרָל (go.Ral) means a lot, and נָתַן (na.Tan) literally means he will put or cast. These terms describe the mechanism by which Aaron assigns each goat to its designated purpose.
The thread — The casting of lots appears in Jonah 1:7 to identify responsibility and in Proverbs 16:33 to note that every decision comes from the LORD. Acts 1:23 records the proposal of candidates before the lot is cast.
Why it lands — The text records Aaron physically dividing the goats by lot, one designated for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat. The reader must acknowledge that the ritual's structure depends on a divinely guided selection rather than human preference.
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 Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the Lord, and the other lot for the scapegoat.
Cross-references
- Acts 1:23 So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.
- Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
- Jonah 1:7 “Come!” said the sailors to one another. “Let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity that is upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.
- Numbers 26:55 Indeed, the land must be divided by lot; they shall receive their inheritance according to the names of the tribes of their fathers.
- Numbers 33:54 And you are to divide the land by lot according to your clans. Give a larger inheritance to a larger clan and a smaller inheritance to a smaller one. Whatever falls to each one by lot will be his. You will receive an inheritance according to the tribes of your fathers.
- Joshua 18:10 And Joshua cast lots for them in the presence of the LORD at Shiloh, where he distributed the land to the Israelites according to their divisions.
- 1 Samuel 14:41 So Saul said to the LORD, the God of Israel, “Why have You not answered Your servant this day? If the fault is with me or my son Jonathan, respond with Urim, but if the fault is with the men of Israel, respond with Thummim.” And Jonathan and Saul were selected, but the people were cleared of the charge.
- Ezekiel 48:29 This is the land you are to allot as an inheritance to the tribes of Israel, and these will be their portions,” declares the Lord GOD.