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by Mike G. Bacan, Prescott, AZ

9/11/04

If you observe the day of Atonement, then you are aware of the teachings of Leviticus 16:7-22. One goat is commonly said to represent Christ, the other Azazel (or Satan). But is there more symbolism in Lev 14:1-7 that sheds further light on the meaning of Atonement?

In this deliberately short, easy-to-read, non-technical paper, I will present a “global” view to tie together these Leviticus verses, their symbols, and the New Testament references and symbols. Feel free to respond with any comments you may have.

Executive Summary: The conclusion of this short paper points to both goats representing Christ (Yashua). The two goats and doves are representative of His first coming, and yet future second coming to earth, and His two works associated with each of His comings: a death work and a living work. Is this a dogmatic definitive conclusion? No. But, does it make sense? Prove all things and consider it in reaching your own thoughts on the matter.

Perhaps you may find that ceremonies in the Old Testament had symbolic and prophetic applications, and were meant to have profound meanings.

Heb 10:1 For^{1063 the3588 law3551 having2192 a shadow4639 of good things18 to come,3195 and not3756 the3588 very846 image1504 of the3588 things,4229 can1410 never3763 with those846 sacrifices2378 which3739 they offered4374 year by year2596, 1763 continually1519, 1336 make the comers thereunto perfect.5048, 3588, 4334}

First, the overall subject verses are below (for easy reference); then I will compare relevant Old Testament verses which point to the future New Testament fulfillment.

THE TWO GOATS: Lev. 16

Lev 16:7 And he shall take3947 (853) the two8147 goats,8163 and present5975 them before6440 the LORD3068 at the door6607 of the tabernacle168 of the congregation.4150

Lev 16:8 And Aaron175 shall cast5414 lots1486 upon5921 the two8147 goats;8163 one259 lot1486 for the LORD,3068 and the other259 lot1486 for the scapegoat.5799 (better termed the “escapegoat”)

Lev 16:9 And Aaron175 shall bring7126 (853) the goat8163 upon5921 which834 the LORD's3068 lot1486 fell,5927 and offer6213 him for a sin offering.2403

Lev 16:10 But the goat,8163 on5921 which834 the lot1486 fell5927 to be the scapegoat,5799 (Hebrew meaning “for Azazel”) shall be presented5975 alive2416 before6440 the LORD,3068 to make an atonement3722 with5921 him, and to let him go7971, (853) for a scapegoat5799 into the wilderness.4057

Lev 16:11 And Aaron175 shall bring7126 (853) the bullock6499 of the sin offering,2403 which834 is for himself, and shall make an atonement3722 for1157 himself, and for1157 his house,1004 and shall kill7819 (853) the bullock6499 of the sin offering2403 which834 is for himself:

Lev 16:12 And he shall take3947 a censer4289 full4393 of burning coals1513 of fire784 from off4480, 5921 the altar4196 before4480, 6440 the LORD,3068 and his hands2651 full4393 of sweet5561 incense7004 beaten small,1851 and bring935 it within4480, 1004 the veil:6532

Lev 16:13 And he shall put5414 (853) the incense7004 upon5921 the fire784 before6440 the LORD,3068 that the cloud6051 of the incense7004 may cover3680 (853) the mercy seat3727 that834 is upon5921 the testimony,5715 that he die4191 not:3808

Lev 16:14 And he shall take3947 of the blood4480, 1818 of the bullock,6499 and sprinkle5137 it with his finger676 upon5921, 6440 the mercy seat3727 eastward;6924 and before6440 the mercy seat3727 shall he sprinkle5137 of4480 the blood1818 with his finger676 seven7651 times.6471

Lev 16:15 Then shall he kill7819 (853) the goat8163 of the sin offering,2403 that834 is for the people,5971 and

bring935 (853) his blood1818 within413, 4480, 1004 the veil,6532 and do6213 with854 that blood1818 as834 he did6213 with the blood1818 of the bullock,6499 and sprinkle5137 it upon5921 the mercy seat,3727 and before6440 the mercy seat:3727

Lev 16:16 And he shall make an atonement3722 for5921 the holy6944 place, because of the uncleanness4480, 2932 of the children1121 of Israel,3478 and because of their transgressions4480, 6588 in all3605 their sins:2403 and so3651 shall he do6213 for the tabernacle168 of the congregation,4150 that remaineth7931 among854 them in the midst8432 of their uncleanness.2932

Lev 16:17 And there shall be1961 no3808, 3605 man120 in the tabernacle168 of the congregation4150 when he goeth in935 to make an atonement3722 in the holy6944 place, until5704 he come out,3318 and have made an atonement3722 for1157 himself, and for1157 his household,1004 and for1157 all3605 the congregation6951 of Israel.3478

Lev 16:18 And he shall go out3318 unto413 the altar4196 that834 is before6440 the LORD,3068 and make an atonement3722 for5921 it; and shall take3947 of the blood4480, 1818 of the bullock,6499 and of the blood4480, 1818 of the goat,8163 and put5414 it upon5921 the horns7161 of the altar4196 round about.5439

Lev 16:19 And he shall sprinkle5137 of4480 the blood1818 upon5921 it with his finger676 seven7651 times,6471 and cleanse2891 it, and hallow6942 it from the uncleanness4480, 2932 of the children1121 of Israel.3478

Lev 16:20 And when he hath made an end3615 of reconciling4480, 3722 (853) the holy6944 place, and the tabernacle168 of the congregation,4150 and the altar,4196 he shall bring7126 (853) the live2416 goat:8163

Lev 16:21 And Aaron175 shall lay5564 (853) both8147 his hands3027 upon5921 the head7218 of the live2416 goat,8163 and confess3034 over5921 him (853) all3605 the iniquities5771 of the children1121 of Israel,3478 and all3605 their transgressions6588 in all3605 their sins,2403 putting5414 them upon5921 the head7218 of the goat,8163 and shall send him away7971 by the hand3027 of a fit6261 man376 into the wilderness:4057

Lev 16:22 And the goat8163 shall bear5375 upon5921 him (853) all3605 their iniquities5771 unto413 a land776 not inhabited:1509 and he shall let go7971 (853) the goat8163 in the wilderness.4057

THE TWO BIRDS: Lev. 14

Lev 14:1 And the LORD3068 spoke1696 unto413 Moses,4872 saying,559

Lev 14:2 This2063 shall be1961 the law8451 of the leper6879 in the day3117 of his cleansing:2893 He shall be brought935 unto413 the priest:3548

Lev 14:3 And the priest3548 shall go forth3318 out of413, 4480, 2351 the camp;4264 and the priest3548 shall look,7200 and, behold,2009 if the plague5061 of leprosy6883 be healed7495 in4480 the leper;6879

Lev 14:4 Then shall the priest3548 command6680 to take3947 for him that is to be cleansed2891 two8147 birds6833 alive2416 and clean,2889 and cedar730 wood,6086 and scarlet,8144, 8438 and hyssop:231

Lev 14:5 And the priest3548 shall command6680 (853) that one259 of the birds6833 be killed7819 in413 an earthen2789 vessel3627 over5921 running2416 water:4325

Lev 14:6 As for (853) the living2416 bird,6833 he shall take3947 it, and the cedar730 wood,6086 and the scarlet,8144, 8438 and the hyssop,231 and shall dip2881 them and the living2416 bird6833 in the blood1818 of the bird6833 that was killed7819 over5921 the running2416 water:4325

Lev 14:7 And he shall sprinkle5137 upon5921 him that is to be cleansed2891 from4480 the leprosy6883 seven7651 times,6471 and shall pronounce him clean,2891 and shall let (853) the living2416 bird6833 loose7971 into5921 the open6440 field.7704

Lev 14:8 And he that is to be cleansed2891 shall wash3526 (853) his clothes,899 and shave off1548 (853) all3605 his hair,8181 and wash7364 himself in water,4325 that he may be clean:2891 and after that310 he shall come935 into413 the camp,4264 and shall tarry3427 abroad4480, 2351 out of his tent168 seven7651 days.3117

Lev 14:9 But it shall be1961 on the seventh7637 day,3117 that he shall shave all his hair off1548, (853), 3605, 8181 (853) his head7218 and his beard2206 and his eyebrows,1354, 5869 even all3605 his hair8181 he shall shave off:1548 and he shall wash3526 (853) his clothes,899 also he shall wash7364 (853) his flesh1320 in water,4325 and he shall

be clean.2891

Lev 14:10 And on the eighth8066 day3117 he shall take3947 two8147 he lambs3532 without blemish,8549 and one259 ewe lamb3535 of the first1323 year8141 without blemish,8549 and three7969 tenth deals6241 of fine flour5560 for a meat offering,4503 mingled1101 with oil,8081 and one259 log3849 of oil.8081

Lev 14:11 And the priest3548 that maketh him clean2891 shall present5975 (853) the man376 that is to be made clean,2891 and those things, before6440 the LORD,3068 at the door6607 of the tabernacle168 of the congregation:4150

Lev 14:12 And the priest3548 shall take3947 (853) one259 he lamb,3532 and offer7126 him for a trespass offering,817 and the log3849 of oil,8081 and wave5130 them for a wave offering8573 before6440 the LORD:3068

Lev 14:13 And he shall slay7819 (853) the lamb3532 in the place4725 where834 he shall kill7819 (853) the sin offering2403 and the burnt offering,5930 in the holy6944 place:4725 for3588 as the sin offering2403 is the priest's,3548 so is the trespass offering:817 it1931 is most holy:6944, 6944

Lev 14:14 And the priest3548 shall take3947 some of the blood4480, 1818 of the trespass offering,817 and the priest3548 shall put5414 it upon5921 the tip8571 of the right3233 ear241 of him that is to be cleansed,2891 and upon5921 the thumb931 of his right3233 hand,3027 and upon5921 the great toe931 of his right3233 foot:7272

Lev 14:15 And the priest3548 shall take3947 some of the log4480, 3849 of oil,8081 and pour3332 it into5921 the palm3709 of his own3548 left hand:8042

Lev 14:16 And the priest3548 shall dip2881 (853) his right3233 finger676 in4480 the oil8081 that834 is in5921 his left8042 hand,3709 and shall sprinkle5137 of4480 the oil8081 with his finger676 seven7651 times6471 before6440 the LORD:3068

Lev 14:17 And of the rest4480, 3499 of the oil8081 that834 is in5921 his hand3709 shall the priest3548 put5414 upon5921 the tip8571 of the right3233 ear241 of him that is to be cleansed,2891 and upon5921 the thumb931 of his right3233 hand,3027 and upon5921 the great toe931 of his right3233 foot,7272 upon5921 the blood1818 of the trespass offering:817

Lev 14:18 And the remnant3498 of the oil8081 that834 is in5921 the priest's3548 hand3709 he shall pour5414 upon5921 the head7218 of him that is to be cleansed:2891 and the priest3548 shall make an atonement3722 for5921 him before6440 the LORD.3068

Both goats deal with the sin question. The first goat (Christ) covers our sins (by His spilled blood).

Lev 16:9 And Aaron175 shall bring7126 (853) the goat8163 upon5921 which834 the LORD's3068 lot1486 fell,5927 and offer6213 him for a sin offering.2403

The second goat removes the sins (and we become righteous and inherit a new body where we no longer sin).

Lev 16:22 And the goat8163 shall bear5375 upon5921 him (853) all3605 their iniquities5771 unto413 a land776 not inhabited:1509 and he shall let go7971 (853) the goat8163 in the wilderness.4057

What and who is sent into the wilderness?

Lev 16:21 And Aaron175 shall lay5564 (853) both8147 his hands3027 upon5921 the head7218 of the live2416 goat,8163 and confess3034 over5921 him (853) all3605 the iniquities5771 of the children1121 of Israel,3478 and all3605 their transgressions6588 in all3605 their sins,2403 putting5414 them upon5921 the head7218 of the goat,8163 and shall send him away7971 by the hand3027 of a fit6261 man376 into the wilderness:4057

Luk 4:1 And1161 Jesus2424 being full4134 of the Holy40 Ghost4151 returned5290 from575 Jordan,2446 and2532 was led71 by1722 the3588 Spirit4151 into1519 the3588 wilderness,2048

In ancient literature this name is similar to a fallen angel or diety - the devil. Azazel is derived from az, a female goat, and azel, to go away.

But is this goat Azazel representative of fall angel or diety, or *for* Azazel to use or tempt?

Lev 16:10 But the goat,8163 on5921 which834 the lot1486 fell5927 to be the scapegoat,5799 (also termed Azazal) shall be presented5975 alive2416 before6440 the LORD,3068 to make an atonement3722 with5921 him, and to let him go7971, (853) for a scapegoat5799 (Hebrew means “for Azazel”) into the wilderness.4057

Mat 4:1 Then5119 was Jesus2424 led up321 of5259 the3588 spirit4151 into1519 the3588 wilderness2048 to be tempted3985 of5259 the3588 devil.1228

*Your* study.

If you sin, are you or someone else responsible each time? Can someone else be held responsible or accountable for *all* of our sins? Christ? Azazel/Satan?

Who bore our sins?

Lev 16:21 And Aaron175 shall lay5564 (853) both8147 his hands3027 upon5921 the head7218 of the live2416 goat,8163 and confess3034 over5921 him (853) all3605 the iniquities5771 of the children1121 of Israel,3478 and all3605 their transgressions6588 in all3605 their sins,2403 putting5414 them upon5921 the head7218 of the goat,8163 and shall send him away7971 by the hand3027 of a fit6261 man376 into the wilderness:4057

Lev 16:22 And the goat8163 shall bear5375 upon5921 him (853) all3605 their iniquities5771 unto413 a land776 not inhabited:1509 and he shall let go7971 (853) the goat8163 in the wilderness.4057

1Pe 2:24 Who3739 his own self848 bare399 our2257 sins266 in1722 his own848 body4983 on1909 the3588 tree,3586 that2443 we, being dead581 to sins,266 should live2198 unto righteousness:1343 by whose3739 stripes3468 ye were healed.2390

Heb 9:28 So3779 Christ5547 was once530 offered4374 to bear399 the sins266 of many;4183 and unto them that look for553 him846 shall he appear3700 the(1537) second time1208 without5565 sin266 unto1519 salvation.4991

Joh 1:29 The3588 next day1887 John2491 seeth991 Jesus2424 coming2064 unto4314 him,846 and2532 saith,3004 Behold2396 the3588 Lamb286 of God,2316 which taketh away142 the3588 sin266 of the3588 world.2889

Lev 16:21 And Aaron175 shall lay5564 (853) both8147 his hands3027 upon5921 the head7218 of the live2416 goat,8163 and confess3034 over5921 him (853) all3605 the iniquities5771 of the children1121 of Israel,3478 and all3605 their transgressions6588 in all3605 their sins,2403 putting5414 them upon5921 the head7218 of the goat,8163 and shall send him away7971 by the hand3027 of a fit6261 man376 into the wilderness:4057

Luk 4:1 And1161 Jesus2424 being full4134 of the Holy40 Ghost4151 returned5290 from575 Jordan,2446 and2532 was led71 by1722 the3588 Spirit4151 into1519 the3588 wilderness,2048

Leprosy, or Hansen’s Disease, is a chronic, crippling, progressive, skin disease which results in slow death, usually within ten to twenty years of contracting the disease. It has periods of debilitating weakness and fevers and is characterized by whitish patches of skin, tuberous skin growths, destroyed blood vessels, ligaments and skin tissues, scabs, ulcers, erosion of the bones, and the wasting away of tissues. It is very contagious during the periods of fever (Webster’s Dictionary, Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, vol. 2, pp. 138, 139, in part).

There is a cure for leprosy, today. We have no records to reveal what, if any, cure there was centuries ago. Leviticus 13, 14, 15 and 16 deal with leprosy, the clean and the unclean, and how one is to become clean.

Lev 16:30 For3588 on that2088 day3117 shall the priest make an atonement3722 for5921 you, to cleanse2891 you, that ye may be clean2891 from all4480, 3605 your sins2403 before6440 the LORD.3068

Leviticus 14:2-20 describes the law for cleansing lepers which symbolically takes a person from death to life - and symbolically from mortality to immortality, from uncleaness (through sprinkling with water- s type of baptism) to cleanness.

The issue of death is addressed - mortality and immortality. Two doves were needed to cleanse a leper. The first dove was killed in an earthen vessel over running water, and its blood and water and sprinkled (a type of baptism?) on the healed leper. The first bird is also representative of Christ since his blood is applied to us to.

Lev 14:5 And the priest3548 shall command6680 (853) that one259 of the birds6833 be killed7819 in413 an earthen2789 vessel3627 over5921 running2416 water:4325

Luk 3:21 Now1161 when all537 the3588 people2992 were baptized,907 it came to pass,1096 that Jesus2424 also2532 being baptized,907 and2532 praying,4336 the3588 heaven3772 was opened,455

Luk 3:22 And2532 the3588 Holy40 Ghost4151 descended2597 in a bodily4984 shape1491 like5616 a dove4058 upon1909 him,846 and2532 a voice5456 came1096 from1537 heaven,3772 which said,3004 Thou4771 art1488 my3450 beloved27 Son;5207 in1722 thee4671 I am well pleased.2106

The second dove was dipped in the blood of the first dove, which ties the two works together. In the plan of salvation symbolized in the Torah by two doves, the first dove lays the foundation for immortality, but the second dove is needed for this (immortality) to occur by removing sin from us and making us righteousness.

Lev 14:6 As for (853) the living2416 bird,6833 he shall take3947 it, and the cedar730 wood,6086 and the scarlet,8144, 8438 and the hyssop,231 and shall dip2881 them and the living2416 bird6833 in the blood1818 of the bird6833 that was killed7819 over5921 the running2416 water:4325

Rev 19:11 And2532 I saw1492 heaven3772 opened,455 and2532 behold2400 a white3022 horse;2462 and2532 he that sat2521 upon1909 him846 was called2564 Faithful4103 and2532 True,228 and2532 in1722 righteousness1343 he doth judge2919 and2532 make war.4170

Rev 19:12 (1161) His848 eyes3788 were as5613 a flame5395 of fire,4442 and2532 on1909 his848 head2776 were many4183 crowns;1238 and he had2192 a name3686 written,1125 that3739 no man3762 knew,1492 but1508 he himself.848

Rev 19:13 And2532 he was clothed with4016 a vesture2440 dipped911 in blood:129 and2532 his848 name3686 is called2564 The3588 Word3056 of God.2316

Joh 1:29 The3588 next day1887 John2491 seeth991 Jesus2424 coming2064 unto4314 him,846 and2532 saith,3004 Behold2396 the3588 Lamb286 of God,2316 which taketh away142 the3588 sin266 of the3588 world.2889

(G911. bapto¯? bap'-to A primary verb; to whelm, that is, cover wholly with a fluid; in the New Testament only in a qualified or specific sense, that is, (literally) to moisten (a part of one’s person), or (by implication) to stain (as with dye): - dip.)

The second bird was then released into an open field. (Christ comes into the world at His second coming).

Lev 14:7 And he shall sprinkle5137 upon5921 him that is to be cleansed2891 from4480 the leprosy6883 seven7651 times,6471 and shall pronounce him clean,2891 and shall let (853) the living2416 bird6833 loose7971 into5921 the open6440 field.7704

Mat 13:38 (1161) The3588 field68 is2076 the3588 world;2889 the3588 good2570 seed4690 are(3778), 1526 the3588 children5207 of the3588 kingdom;932 but1161 the3588 tares2215 are1526 the3588 children5207 of the3588 wicked4190 one;

Lev 14:9 But it shall be1961 on the seventh7637 day,3117 that he shall shave all his hair off1548, (853), 3605, 8181 (853) his head7218 and his beard2206 and his eyebrows,1354, 5869 even all3605 his hair8181 he shall shave off:1548 and he shall wash3526 (853) his clothes,899 also he shall wash7364 (853) his flesh1320 in water,4325 and he shall be clean.2891

Joh 7:37 In1722 the3588 last2078 day,2250 that great3173 day of the3588 feast,1859 Jesus2424 stood2476 and2532 cried,2896 saying,3004 If1437 any man5100 thirst,1372 let him come2064 unto4314 me,3165 and2532 drink.4095

Joh 7:38 He that believeth4100 on1519 me,1691 as2531 the3588 Scripture1124 hath said,2036 out of1537 his846 belly2836 shall flow4482 rivers4215 of living2198 water.5204

Joh 7:39 (But1161 this5124 spake2036 he of4012 the3588 Spirit,4151 which3739 they that believe4100 on1519 him846 should3195 receive:2983 for1063 the Holy40 Ghost4151 was2258 not yet