Hebrew Key Terms:
Context: Leviticus 16:7-22 describes the two goats central to the Day of Atonement—one slain, one released. Two identical goats stood before the LORD; lots determined which would be "for the LORD" (slain as sin offering, blood brought into Holy of Holies) and which "for Azazel" (scapegoat). After making atonement with the slain goat's blood, the high priest laid hands on the live goat, confessed Israel's sins over it, and sent it into the wilderness bearing their iniquities. These two goats represent the dual work of Christ: dying to satisfy God's justice (slain goat) and removing sins beyond recovery (scapegoat).
Connections:
Christological Connection: Leviticus 16:7-22's two goats foreshadow Christ's complete atoning work. The slain goat whose blood entered the Holy of Holies represents Christ dying to satisfy divine justice. Hebrews 9:12 states Christ "entered once for all into the holy places... by means of his own blood, thus securing eternal redemption." The scapegoat bearing sins into wilderness represents Christ removing sin beyond recovery. Colossians 2:14 declares Christ "canceled the record of debt... setting it aside, nailing it to the cross." One person, Jesus Christ, accomplishes what two goats symbolized. As Mather explains, Christ was "slain in the flesh" (slain goat) and "quickened by the Spirit" (scapegoat)—Romans 4:25 states: "delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification." The hand-laying and confession (v. 21) pictures imputation—our sins transferred to Christ. Second Corinthians 5:21 declares: "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin." Isaiah 53:6 prophesied: "the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." The wilderness removal fulfills Psalm 103:12: "as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us." Hebrews 8:12 promises: "I will remember their sins no more"—sent into oblivion's wilderness, never to return. Micah 7:19 celebrates: "You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea." The trajectory shows: two goats needed (one for satisfaction, one for removal) → Christ fulfills both through death and resurrection → sins atoned for and removed eternally.
Connection Method(s): Typology (Providential, Forward-Looking) — The two goats represent Christ's dual atoning work: the slain goat whose blood enters the Holy of Holies prefigures Christ's death satisfying divine justice, while the scapegoat bearing sins into the wilderness prefigures Christ's resurrection carrying sins into permanent removal (Rom 4:25).
Trajectory Table: 044 - Day of Atonement (Christ's Atoning Sacrifice)