KJV ORIGINAL
And he that let go the goat for the scapegoat shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward come into the camp.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
The person who leads the scapegoat away must wash his clothes and bathe his whole body in water, and only then can he return to the camp.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
The writer is explaining that even those who help carry out God's purification rituals must be cleansed themselves before rejoining the community.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of the Day of Atonement ceremony described in Leviticus 16, where one goat was sacrificed and another (the scapegoat) was sent into the wilderness carrying the sins of Israel. The person who led the scapegoat away became ceremonially unclean through contact with the sin-bearing animal and needed purification before returning to the Israelite camp.
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.
Share or Save