Definition: Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that [is] for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat:

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Leviticus 16:15. It’s a really important part of Jewish religious tradition about how sacrifices are performed. Here's the explanation in plain terms: Basically, this verse describes a ritual that is meant to cleanse and honor God. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering…” – This means the Jewish people were going to sacrifice a goat specifically designated as "the sin offering." It's a special animal, symbolizing repentance and atonement for sins. “…that [is] for the people…” - This is the core reason why this sacrifice was needed. It’s about making a plea to God for the good of the Jewish community. “Bring his blood within the vail…” – The “vail” is a big, holy cloth or covering that represents the heavens and the presence of God. Bringing the blood inside the vail signifies that the sacrifice is offering a significant amount of remorse and repentance to God for the sins of the people. “and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock…” - This is a crucial point! The blood from the goat was meant to be exactly the same as the blood used in sacrifices for bulls and cattle. It was considered an equal offering to God. It wasn’t just about the amount, but the quality of the blood – it had to be pure and represent the sacrifice’s sincerity. “and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat:” - This is where the ritual gets really symbolic. The “mercy seat” was a special area in the middle of the Temple (a place of worship). The people were supposed to sprinkle (wash) the blood onto this area, symbolizing that they were offering their repentance and forgiveness to God. It represented a moment of complete surrender and trust. In short, this verse describes a ritual that was a powerful act of atonement – a sacrifice meant to cleanse the Jewish people of sin and show their deep remorse to God. Why is it important? This practice happened during times when Jewish communities were dealing with serious problems, like impurity or rebellion. It was a way for them to demonstrate their commitment to God’s law and seek His forgiveness. --- Disclaimer: I'm providing this explanation based on common interpretations within Judaism and religious traditions. If you are interested in learning more about the origins of these practices, it's always best to consult with knowledgeable religious scholars or resources. Would you like me to: Explain another part of this verse? Compare it to a similar practice in other religions (like Christianity)?