Definition: And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy [place], and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat:
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Leviticus 16:20. It's a really important part of how God establishes a place for worship and holiness. Here’s what it means in simple terms: Basically, it’s about preparing a sacrifice – a special offering to show God’s reverence and commitment. Here’s a breakdown of each part: “And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy [place]…” - This is saying that after they’ve finished setting up everything related to worship, like the tabernacle (which was a portable shrine for God), they need to do something extra . "Reconciling" means making things whole and right again. “…and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar…” - This refers to two key things: The Tabernacle: A temporary structure built by Moses to house God’s presence among His people. It was a symbol of God’s home with his people. The Altar: A place where sacrifices were made to honor God. “He shall bring the live goat:” - This is the most important part. It means that at the end of this process, they need to offer a live goat as a sacrifice to show that they are truly dedicated to God and that their worship is serious and holy. So, what’s happening? It's a symbolic act – a final offering to demonstrate that Israel (and all believers) are completely devoted to God and ready to follow His instructions. It's a way of saying, "We’re committed to honoring you with our lives and our offerings." Why is this important in the Bible? This ritual was a crucial step in establishing the foundation for the Jewish people's covenant relationship with God. It emphasized that worship wasn't just about doing things, but about being focused on God and showing His holiness. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts further? Give you a historical context (how this ritual was practiced)? Connect it to other biblical stories?