The Two Fold Blessing Of, ‘semikhah.’

The Two Fold Blessing Of, ‘Semikhah.’

Leviticus 16:20-21

Sacrificing an animal for sin involved many sacred acts before the animal could be offered in Israel.  That was especially true on the day of Yom Kippur, the most holy day for the Hebrews, when the scapegoat was offered for the sins of the entire nation. 

Whether a sacrifice for an individual or the entire nation, there was one requirement that had to take place. -There had to be physical contact by the priest or the individual who was offering the sacrifice with the sacrifice itself. 

In both cases, the palms of the hands had to be laid upon the head of the sacrifice. 

Leviticus 16:20-21NIV “When Aaron has finished making atonement for the Most Holy Place, the tent of meeting and the altar, he shall bring forward the live goat. 21 He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat’s head. He shall send the goat away into the wilderness in the care of someone appointed for the task.

In the Old Testament on the day of Yom Kippur, God had given specific orders that Aaron, as the high priest, was to lay both of his hands on the head of the live goat (the scapegoat) and confess upon it all the iniquities of the children of Israel.  

Therefore this process of laying hands on the head of the sacrifice was called the, Semikhah in Hebrew.

The word semikhah derives from a Hebrew root that means to "rely on", in the sense of "lean on", or "to be authorized"; the literal meaning of semikhah is "leaning [of the hands]”.

The placing of sin on the sacrifice, by laying hands on its head and confessing your sins over it…

It was not only the priest who performed the Semikhah, it was performed by ‘whoever’ needed to be forgiven of their sins.

In Jesus’ day the Semikhah was still in practice.  Jesus Christ was God’s sacrifice for the sins of the world. He became the scape goat, the Lamb without blemish, The Lion of Judah.

1 John 1:8-9AMP If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude ourselves and the truth is not in us. [His word does not live in our hearts.] 9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].

Therefore, the Semikhah had to be performed before Jesus could go to the cross. 

The question is– was that done?  And if so, who did it?  Who laid their hands on the head of the great sacrifice – Jesus Christ?

Obviously to comply with God’s command, the priests had to be the ones to lay their hands on Christ’s head. 

Following a travesty of a trial for Jesus it is recorded that the priests began to strike Jesus repeatedly with their hands. 

In fact, both Matthew and Mark, record that the priests hit him with their fists and slapped him.

Before the church of Jesus Christ could walk in the fullness, and authority of their leader, Jesus had to have hands laid upon Him.  

The ancient Greek records that the priests struck Christ in the head with the palms of their hands. 

“-Exactly the requirement for the Semikhah to take place!”  P.H

In order to offer up a sin offering, you had to preform the Semikhah over it.

-“You have to touch it with your hands and confess your sins over it.” P.H

James 5:16NLT  Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

And by doing so, you become one with the sacrifice. -One with Jesus!

A young man and a young woman became engaged and were looking forward to a near wedding day, when the young man was suddenly called into the service of his country. From the field of warfare letters regularly came and went, and love shined brightly in all of them. Then letters from the young man abruptly stopped. A few weeks passed and then there came a letter in a strange handwriting. In it the young woman read:“There has been another battle. I have lost both my arms. I asked my comrade to write this for me, and to tell you that I release you from our engagement, for now I will not be able to work and support you.”

That letter was never answered. By the next train the young woman journeyed southward. She left the train and went directly to the hospital. Inquiring the location of the young man’s cot, she quietly approached and suddenly flung herself down by the side of his cot with the passionate words, “I will never give you up. These hands of mine will work for you. We will live our life of love together.” – S.E. DuBois, in Gospel Herald