Brought forth. — Rather, brought near — viz., to the altar.
He goats. — Se ‘îrîm (“hairy ones”). A different term — çëphîrê ‘izzîm, “spring-bucks of goats” — was used in 2 Chronicles 29:21. This latter is properly an Aramean word, and only found in late Heb., se ’îrîm being the classical term.
Laid their hands upon them. — Comp. Leviticus 1:4; Leviticus 3:2; Leviticus 4:4, from which it appears that the person offering laid his hand upon the head of the victim, whether he were making a burnt offering or a thank-offering or a sin-offering.
The natural fitness of the ceremony in the case of expiatory sacrifices is obvious. “The king and the congregation” performed it, in the present instance, on behalf of the entire nation.