Leviticus 4

Leviticus 4 introduces the sin offering, which is presented to atone for unintentional sins committed by the people of Israel. This chapter outlines the procedures for various groups—priests, the congregation, leaders, and common people—each offering specific animals to make restitution for their offenses. It demonstrates God’s grace in offering forgiveness even for sins committed in ignorance or without intent, emphasizing the importance of purity and obedience in the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Leviticus 4:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
2 "Speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'If a person sins unintentionally against any of the commandments of the Lord in anything which ought not to be done, and does any of them,'"

Here, God is speaking to Moses, giving specific instructions regarding unintentional sins. These are violations of God's commandments that happen without premeditated intent. The emphasis is on the idea that even unintended disobedience requires atonement, reflecting the holiness of God and the need for purity among His people. This passage introduces the sin offering, a sacrificial system that would allow the Israelites to restore their relationship with God when they accidentally transgress His laws.

Leviticus 4:3 (NKJV)
3 "if the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, then let him offer to the Lord for his sin which he has sinned a young bull without blemish as a sin offering."

If the priest, the spiritual leader of the people, commits an unintentional sin, he must offer a young bull without defect as a sin offering. This is significant because the priest represents the people before God, and his sin can affect the whole community. The bull, a costly and valuable animal, highlights the seriousness of sin, especially when committed by someone in such a high position. This offering demonstrates the need for atonement even for those in leadership, maintaining the spiritual purity of the entire nation.

Leviticus 4:4-6 (NKJV)
4 "He shall bring the bull to the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the Lord, lay his hand on the bull’s head, and kill the bull before the Lord.
5 Then the anointed priest shall take some of the bull’s blood and bring it to the tabernacle of meeting.
6 The priest shall dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle some of the blood seven times before the Lord, in front of the veil of the sanctuary."

The priest brings the bull to the entrance of the tabernacle, symbolizing that the offering is being presented before God. By laying his hand on the bull’s head, the priest transfers the guilt of the sin onto the animal. The killing of the bull represents the seriousness of sin and the cost of atonement. Sprinkling the blood before the veil, where God’s presence dwells, signifies cleansing and purification, especially for the priest who serves as an intermediary between God and the people. The number seven often represents completeness, indicating the thoroughness of the atonement process.

Leviticus 4:7 (NKJV)
7 "And the priest shall put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of sweet incense before the Lord, which is in the tabernacle of meeting; and he shall pour the remaining blood of the bull at the base of the altar of the burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of meeting."

The blood is applied to the horns of the incense altar, a symbol of prayer and intercession, connecting the offering to the spiritual life of the people. The blood being poured out at the base of the burnt offering altar signifies the completeness of the sacrifice. This ritual demonstrates the necessity of bloodshed for the forgiveness of sins, as blood symbolizes life, and the shedding of blood points to the cost of atonement, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Christ for humanity’s sins.

Leviticus 4:8-10 (NKJV)
8 "He shall take from it all the fat of the bull as the sin offering, the fat that covers the entrails and all the fat which is on the entrails,
9 the two kidneys and the fat that is on them by the flanks, and the fatty lobe attached to the liver above the kidneys, he shall remove,
10 as it was taken from the bull of the sacrifice of the peace offering; and the priest shall burn them on the altar of the burnt offering."

Here, the focus is on the fat and internal organs of the bull. In biblical symbolism, the fat represents the best or richest part, and it is set aside for God. Burning these parts on the altar signifies offering the most valuable aspects of the animal to God. This practice mirrors the peace offering, where the best portions are given to God to honor Him. The burning of the fat also represents the removal of impurity and sin, allowing the offerer to be reconciled with God.

Leviticus 4:11-12 (NKJV)
11 "But the bull’s hide and all its flesh, with its head and legs, its entrails and offal—
12 the whole bull he shall carry outside the camp to a clean place, where the ashes are poured out, and burn it on wood with fire; where the ashes are poured out it shall be burned."

The remainder of the bull is taken outside the camp and burned. This symbolizes the removal of sin from the community. By taking the carcass outside the camp, the impurity and guilt associated with the sin offering are symbolically removed from the people. The fire, a symbol of purification, consumes the remains, ensuring that the sin is completely dealt with. This also reflects the future practice where Christ was crucified outside the city, bearing the sins of the world.

Leviticus 4:13-14 (NKJV)
13 "Now if the whole congregation of Israel sins unintentionally, and the thing is hidden from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done something against any of the commandments of the Lord in anything which should not be done, and are guilty;
14 when the sin which they have committed becomes known, then the assembly shall offer a young bull for the sin, and bring it before the tabernacle of meeting."

When the entire congregation sins unknowingly, they are still held accountable. Once they become aware of their transgression, a young bull is offered as a sin offering on behalf of the whole community. This underscores the collective responsibility of the nation to uphold God’s commandments and the seriousness of communal sin. It also highlights God’s provision for communal atonement, showing that He offers a path for reconciliation not just for individuals but for the entire community.

Leviticus 4:15-16 (NKJV)
15 "And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before the Lord. Then the bull shall be killed before the Lord.
16 The anointed priest shall bring some of the bull’s blood to the tabernacle of meeting."

The elders, representing the congregation, lay their hands on the bull to symbolically transfer the guilt of the people’s sin onto the animal. This action demonstrates their acknowledgment of sin and need for atonement. After the bull is killed, the priest, acting as the mediator between God and the people, brings the blood into the tabernacle. This illustrates the seriousness of sin and the necessity of blood for cleansing and reconciliation with God. The process is a reminder of the people’s dependence on the priestly ministry for forgiveness.

Leviticus 4:17-18 (NKJV)
17 "Then the priest shall dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle it seven times before the Lord, in front of the veil.
18 And he shall put some of the blood on the horns of the altar which is before the Lord, which is in the tabernacle of meeting; and he shall pour the remaining blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of meeting."

The priest sprinkles the blood before the veil, symbolizing the need to purify the space where God’s presence dwells. The sprinkling of blood seven times, a number representing completeness, signifies that the sin is fully dealt with. Applying blood to the altar's horns connects the atonement to the people's prayers and worship. The remaining blood is poured out at the base of the altar, representing the complete offering of life to God for atonement. This thorough ritual signifies the total purification needed to restore the community’s relationship with God.

Leviticus 4:19-21 (NKJV)
19 "He shall take all the fat from it and burn it on the altar.
20 And he shall do with the bull as he did with the bull as a sin offering; thus he shall do with it. So the priest shall make atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them.
21 Then he shall carry the bull outside the camp and burn it as he burned the first bull. It is a sin offering for the assembly."

The priest follows the same procedure as with the priest’s sin offering, emphasizing consistency in atonement. The fat, representing the best part of the animal, is burned on the altar as an offering to God. The rest of the bull is taken outside the camp and burned, symbolizing the removal of sin from the community. The priest’s actions bring forgiveness to the entire assembly, demonstrating God’s mercy and His provision for reconciliation through atonement, even for unintentional sins committed by the entire nation.

Leviticus 4:22-23 (NKJV)
22 "When a ruler has sinned, and done something unintentionally against any of the commandments of the Lord his God in anything which should not be done, and is guilty,
23 or if his sin which he has committed comes to his knowledge, he shall bring as his offering a kid of the goats, a male without blemish."

When a ruler or leader of the people commits an unintentional sin, he too must offer a sacrifice. This shows that leadership comes with responsibility, and even rulers are not exempt from God's commandments. Once the ruler becomes aware of his sin, he is to bring a male goat without blemish as a sin offering. The use of a goat instead of a bull reflects the different levels of responsibility, but it still underscores the importance of purity and atonement for those in authority.

Leviticus 4:24-25 (NKJV)
24 "He shall lay his hand on the head of the goat and kill it at the place where they kill the burnt offering before the Lord. It is a sin offering.
25 The priest shall take some of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and pour its blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering."

As with other sin offerings, the ruler lays his hand on the goat’s head, symbolically transferring his guilt to the animal. The goat is then killed, representing the seriousness of sin and the cost of atonement. The priest applies the blood to the horns of the altar, where sacrifices are made to the Lord, signifying the connection between the sin offering and the people’s worship. The remaining blood is poured at the base of the altar, representing a complete and total offering for the ruler’s sin, ensuring forgiveness and purification.

Leviticus 4:26 (NKJV)
26 "And he shall burn all its fat on the altar, like the fat of the sacrifice of the peace offering. So the priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin, and it shall be forgiven him."

The fat of the offering, symbolizing the best part of the animal, is burned on the altar just as it is in the peace offering. This emphasizes the importance of offering the most valuable portions to God. The priest’s role in making atonement is once again highlighted, showing that the act of atonement and forgiveness is mediated by the priest on behalf of the sinner. The result of this ritual is that the ruler’s sin is forgiven, and his relationship with God is restored.

Leviticus 4:27-28 (NKJV)
27 "If anyone of the common people sins unintentionally by doing something against any of the commandments of the Lord in anything which ought not to be done, and is guilty,
28 or if his sin which he has committed comes to his knowledge, then he shall bring as his offering a kid of the goats, a female without blemish, for his sin which he has committed."

For the common people, the process of atonement is similar to that of the leaders, but a female goat is offered instead of a male. This difference reflects the varying roles within the community, yet all are equally accountable before God for their sins. Once the individual becomes aware of their unintentional sin, they are to bring a goat without blemish, symbolizing purity. This offering allows them to seek forgiveness and restore their relationship with God. The principle of atonement applies to all, regardless of social standing.

Leviticus 4:29-31 (NKJV)
29 "And he shall lay his hand on the head of the sin offering, and kill the sin offering at the place of the burnt offering.
30 Then the priest shall take some of its blood with his finger, put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and pour all the remaining blood at the base of the altar.
31 He shall remove all its fat, as fat is removed from the sacrifice of the peace offering; and the priest shall burn it on the altar for a sweet aroma to the Lord. So the priest shall make atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him."

The process for the common person follows the same steps as for the ruler. The individual lays their hand on the animal’s head, transferring their guilt, and the priest kills the animal on their behalf. The priest applies the blood to the altar and burns the fat, signifying that the best part of the offering is given to God. The burning of the fat as a sweet aroma represents the pleasure God takes in receiving a sincere offering. Once the ritual is complete, the individual’s sin is forgiven, illustrating the mercy and grace extended to all who seek atonement.

Leviticus 4:32-35 (NKJV)
32 "If he brings a lamb as his sin offering, he shall bring a female without blemish.
33 Then he shall lay his hand on the head of the sin offering, and kill it as a sin offering at the place where they kill the burnt offering.
34 The priest shall take some of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and pour all the remaining blood at the base of the altar.
35 He shall remove all its fat, as the fat of the lamb is removed from the sacrifice of the peace offering; then the priest shall burn it on the altar, according to the offerings made by fire to the Lord. So the priest shall make atonement for his sin that he has committed, and it shall be forgiven him."

An alternative to offering a goat is a lamb, again emphasizing that different people may offer different animals based on their means, but the principle remains the same. The animal must be without blemish, representing purity. The process of laying hands on the lamb and offering its blood mirrors the procedure for other animals. The priest plays a central role in applying the blood and burning the fat, completing the atonement process. The repetition of this process for different animals underscores God’s desire for all people to have access to forgiveness, regardless of their social or economic status.