← Back to Leviticus

Leviticus 4

35 verses

TL;DR

Leviticus 4 details the sin offering procedures for individuals, the community, and leaders when they sin unknowingly or knowingly, emphasizing the role of the priest in making atonement.

Summary

This chapter prescribes how sin offerings should be conducted. If an anointed priest sins, he brings a young bullock and follows detailed rituals: the priest lays hands, offers blood, sprinkles it, and burns fat. The same process applies when the entire congregation sins or when a ruler or common person sins, with variations in the animal offered (bullock for priest, goat kid or lamb for others). The ritual culminates in the priest making an atonement that leads to forgiveness. The text underscores the importance of ritual purity, the sanctity of the tabernacle, and the priest’s mediating role.

Outline
  1. Sin offering procedures for the anointed priest
  2. Sin offering for the entire congregation
  3. Sin offering for rulers and common people
Themes
Atonement and forgivenessPriestly mediationHoliness and ritual purity
Keywords
sin offeringbloodburnt offeringaltartabernacleatonementpriestash
People
MosesThe LORDPriestEldersRulers
Places
Tabernacle of the congregationAltar of the burnt offeringA clean place outside the camp
Things
Sin offeringYoung bullockGoat kidLambBloodFatAsh
Key Verses
  • Leviticus 4:4: Shows the priest’s personal responsibility and the first step in the sin offering ritual.
  • Leviticus 4:10: Describes the burning of fat, illustrating the offering’s sacrificial nature.
  • Leviticus 4:20: Concludes the ritual with the priest’s atonement and the forgiveness of the people.
Questions
  • What does the repetitive ritual of laying hands and sprinkling blood signify about the relationship between the priest and the people?
  • How does the chapter distinguish between the sin offerings of individuals, the community, and leaders?
  • Why is the use of a young, unblemished animal essential in these offerings?
  • What role does the altar of burnt offering play in the process of atonement?
  • In what ways does this chapter emphasize the necessity of communal responsibility for sin?
Sentiment

neutral
The passage provides procedural instructions without emotional tone.