Chapter 28: Atonement Observed and the Camp Judged

Study notes

Yahweh sets a day in the seventh month, kept once a year with no work, when Aaron makes atonement and sends one of two goats alive into the wilderness to Azazel. An Israelite woman’s son fights in the camp and curses using the Name, and after Yahweh gives his ruling, the people stone him outside the camp.

From Leviticus 16:6–10 (KoS), Leviticus 16:29–34 (KoS), Leviticus 24:10–12 (KoS), Leviticus 24:23 (KoS).

These notes and questions are original study helps written for this site, not scripture. The verses shown with each question are quoted from the Kingdoms of Scripture Bible.

Notice and discuss

Read each passage, then think about the question on your own or talk it over with others. No answers are collected.

1. What clothing is Aaron to put on for entering the holy place, and what must he do first?

   With this Aaron shall come into the holy place: with a bull, a son of the herd, for an offense offering, and a ram for a whole offering. He shall wear a holy linen tunic, and linen undergarments shall be on his body. He shall gird himself with a linen sash and wrap on a linen turban. They are holy garments. He shall wash his body in water and put them on. From the congregation of the sons of Israel he shall take two male goats of the goats for an offense offering, and one ram for a whole offering.

   Leviticus 16:3–5 (KoS)

2. What does Aaron do with the living goat after he brings it near?

   When he has finished making atonement for the holy place, the tent of meeting, and the altar, he shall bring near the living goat. Aaron shall lay the two of his hand on the head of the living goat and confess over it all the guilt of the sons of Israel and all their rebellions, for all their offenses. He shall put them on the head of the goat and send it by the hand of a man ready for the time into the wilderness. The goat shall carry on itself all their guilt to a cut-off land, and he shall send the goat into the wilderness.

   Leviticus 16:20–22 (KoS)

   Note · Text The written consonants are שתי ידו, “the two of his hand.” The Masoretic reading is ידיו, “his hands.” The written form is printed.

   Note · Translation Ish itti is a man designated for that time, the one who leads the goat out.

   Note · Translation Eretz gezerah is a land cut off, a land set apart from settlement.

3. What do the people do with the man after he curses, and what are they waiting to learn?

   The son of an Israelite woman went out, and he was the son of an Egyptian man, among the sons of Israel. The son of the Israelite woman and an Israelite man fought in the camp. The son of the Israelite woman pronounced the Name and cursed. They brought him to Moses. His mother’s name was Shelomith, daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan. They put him in custody, so that it would be made clear to them by Yahweh’s mouth.

   Leviticus 24:10–12 (KoS)

   Note · Translation Naqav et ha-shem is to pronounce the Name, to pierce it by speaking it in the curse. The Name is not written out in this verse. Verse 16 names Yahweh.