to dedicate the new building. The writer viewed only the returned exiles as constituting the true Israel. Modeled upon Solomon’s dedication, though with far fewer animals, they offered bulls, rams, and male lambs. Then, as a sin offering for all Israel, twelve male goats, one for each of the tribes of Israel. To purify the altar and atone for sins, the exiles stood as representatives of the nation. Although only members of the tribes of Benjamin, Judah, and Levi were present, they sacrificed on behalf