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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Leviticus 16:20-28

The high priest having presented unto the Lord the expiatory sacrifices, by the sprinkling of their blood, the remainder of which, it is probable, he poured out at the foot of the brazen altar, 1. He is next to confess the sins of Israel, with both his hands upon the head of the scape-goat (Lev. 16:20, 21); and whenever hands were imposed upon the head of any sacrifice it was always done with confession, according as the nature of the sacrifice was; and, this being a sin-offering, it must be a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 16:26

And he that let go the goat for the scapegoat ,.... Or unto Azazel; who or what Azazel is; see Gill on Leviticus 16:10 and See Gill on Leviticus 16:21 ; for the goat and Azazel are different, not the same, nor to be confounded as they are in our version: shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water ; in forty seahs of water, according to the Targum of Jonathan; so unclean was this person reckoned by what he had to do with the goat sent away by him; which, in a typical and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 16:26

He that let go the goat - shall wash, etc. - Not only the person who led him away, but the priest who consecrated him, was reputed unclean, because the goat himself was unclean, being considered as bearing the sins of the whole congregation. On this account both the priest and the person who led him to the wilderness were obliged to wash their clothes and bathe themselves, before they could come into the camp. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 16:26

Verse 26 26.And he that let the goat go. Since this goat was the outcast ( κάθαπμα) of God’s wrath, and devoted to His curse, he who led it away is commanded to wash his person and his clothes, as if he were a partaker in its defilement. By this symbol the faithful were reminded how very detestable is their iniquity, so that they might, be affected with increasing dread, whenever they considered what they deserved. For when they saw a man forbidden to enter the camp because he was polluted by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 16:1-28

Union and communion with God is that which the undepraved heart of man most longs for, and which religion is especially intended to bring about. That this may be effected, the barrier of sin, and of that which represents sin—ceremonial uncleanness—must be broken down. If sin and uncleanness cannot be taken away so as to be as though they had not been, they must, according to their nature, be either punished as justice demands, or be so covered over as to be withdrawn from the sight of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 16:1-34

The great Day of Atonement ( Leviticus 16:29-31 ). One day in the year set apart to the most solemn representation possible of the two facts—the sinfulness of man, the righteous love of God. Atonement underlying the whole of the ceremonial Law, but the insufficiency of the dally sacrifices, set forth by the separation of one day for the special sacrifice, thus pointing to one atonement in which all other atone-meats should be perfected. Solemn warning in the death of the two sons of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 16:1-34

The climax of sacrificial worship, the Day of Atonement. cf. John 1:29 ; 1 Corinthians 5:7 ; Hebrews 9:10 . The sacrifices already considered all bring out with more or less emphasis the idea of atonement. But to render this cardinal idea of our religion still more emphatic, it was ordained that the tenth day of the seventh month in each year should be a day of special humiliation on the part of the people, and special ritual on the part of the priests. The directions about it were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 16:5-28

The sacrifices of the Day of Atonement. Upon ordinary occasions sacrifices might be offered by common priests, who might act as representatives of the high priest or as representatives of the people, and so be types of Christ, or types of Christians. But upon this day the high priest must act in person, which leaves no doubt as to these transactions being eminently emblematical of Christ and of his great work. We notice— I. THE OFFERINGS FOR AARON AND HIS HOUSE . (See ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 16:26

The man that let go the goat which served for a remover of sins is to wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh before he comes into the camp. This is not ordered on account of any special defilement attaching to the scapegoat, but only because it had been the symbolical sin-bearer, and therefore conveyed legal uncleanness by its touch. The man who bore the flesh of the ether goat to be burnt had to do exactly the same thing ( Leviticus 16:25 ). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Leviticus 16:26-28

Both he who led away the goat, and he who burned the parts of the sin-offerings had to purify themselves. They who went out of the camp during a religious solemnity incurred uncleanness; hence, the need of purification.Leviticus 16:27Shall burn in the fire - i. e., consume in the fire, not burn sacrificially. See Leviticus 1:9. read more

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