Definition: And they brought forth the he goats [for] the sin offering before the king and the congregation; and they laid their hands upon them:
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this biblical passage together! This verse is from the Old Testament and itโs a really important one about how offerings were made in ancient Israel. Hereโs what it means in plain English: โAnd they brought forth the he goats [for] the sin offering before the king and the congregation; and they laid their hands upon them.โ Let's unpack that: "They brought forth..." : This means they were actively moving or presenting something. They werenโt just observing; they were performing a specific action. "...the he goats [for] the sin offering..." : This is the key part! "He goats" are goats, and this verse specifically refers to a ritual called the "sin offering." Think of it as a sacrifice offered to show repentance and to ask for forgiveness from God for wrongdoing. The goats were chosen because they symbolized innocence and purity โ something that was being offered up to be cleansed. "...before the king and the congregation..." : This tells us who was involved. It wasnโt just anyone offering; it was a specific group of people, including the King (the leader) and the entire community of Israelites. It was a public event. "and they laid their hands upon them:" This is the crucial part - it's about action . The goats were being placed on top of or upon something โ likely a pile or altar. This suggests a deliberate and symbolic actionโa gesture of offering, perhaps a prayerful request for forgiveness. In essence, this verse describes a ritual where the Israelites were presenting a goat (representing innocence and repentance) to the King and the community as a sign that they had been sorry for their sins. Why is it important? This passage is significant because it highlights: Sacrifice and Repentance: It demonstrates that offering was a vital part of religious practice. Public Accountability: It shows that people were accountable to God, and their actions were being watched and judged. Do you want me to explain any of this further? For example, would you like me to: Explain the significance of "sin offering"? Discuss the role of the King in this ritual?