In the account of Jesus Christ's crucifixion, the choice of which man should die or be released was not made for the LORD, as God specifies that the high priest must seek His will in such matters. The people and leaders did not choose Jesus for crucifixion because they recognized His role before the LORD, but to condemn Him and continue their lives without disruption. They had Jesus destroyed because they despised Him, not because they valued His pure blood for cleansing as the LORD intended. Isaiah declares that the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all, showing that Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled the role of bearing sins for the LORD, a role that no other could fulfill.

The phrase "for the LORD" in the context of the Day of Atonement ritual, as described in Leviticus 16:8, does not imply a representation of the Lord, but rather designates the first goat as belonging to the LORD. This goat's role is to appease the Lord and to be sacrificed to Him, fulfilling the purpose of satisfying His justice in the ritual. It is in the same sense that sacred incense was holy for the LORD, that a tribute was levied for the LORD in wartime, and that an idolatrous city was to be completely burned for the LORD your God. The Israelites understood that this goat was a sacrifice to the Lord, not a symbol of Him, as their comprehension of the sacrificial system did not include the later fulfillment through the Messiah. Thus, the first goat was set apart for the LORD to cleanse His house, encompassing both the Tabernacle and His people.

The phrase "for the LORD" appears in the casting of lots over the two goats prescribed as a sin offering on the Day of Atonement. This designation indicates that God Himself selects one goat to supply the blood needed to purge the mercy seat, the Holy Place, the tabernacle of meeting, and the horns of the golden altar. The selection occurs because the people's uncleanness has defiled these objects throughout the year, and only undefiled blood can accomplish the required annual cleansing. The same phrase occurs elsewhere in Scripture to denote something set apart for the LORD's satisfaction or service rather than to signify representation of Him. In each case the expression conveys action performed on account of the LORD or for His sake, never to portray Him symbolically. Because the first goat receives this designation, its blood alone enters the Most Holy Place and purifies the objects closest to God's presence. This role stands distinct from the second goat, upon which the sins of the nation are later placed for removal. The two animals together complete one compound sin offering, yet each fulfills a separate function determined by divine choice rather than by human assignment. The first goat's selection therefore underscores that atonement begins with the cleansing of what belongs to the LORD before the complete removal of sin can follow.