Leviticus 4:23

Translations

Modern

When he becomes aware of the sin he has committed, he must bring an unblemished male goat as his offering.

Traditional

Or if his sin, wherein he hath sinned, come to his knowledge; he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a male without blemish:

Literal

…or his sin which he sinned in it is made known to him, then he shall bring his offering: a kid of the goats, an unblemished male.

Latin

…et postea intellexerit peccatum suum, offeret hostiam Domino, hircum de capris immaculatum.

Original

Hebrew

English

When he becomes aware of the sin he has committed, he must bring an unblemished male goat as his offering.

Notes

Leviticus 4:23

The male goat offered by a leader from the common people was less than the priest's required offering. A priest must offer a bull. But the leader must offer more than a common person's requirement (see Leviticus 4:28, 32). Yet, like all offerings for atonement, the animal could not have any defects (see 1:3).

Leviticus 4:22–35

The sin offerings in this passage atoned for the common people, including leaders and other Israelites. These offerings could be eaten, unlike those in Leviticus 4:3–21, and involved smaller animals. They disposed of the blood in the tabernacle courtyard, not the Holy Place.

Like the peace offering in chapter 3, they burned the fat and certain internal organs on the altar. The priest and his male family members ate the rest of the meat in a holy place (6:29; 6:26; compare 10:16–20). A lay leader offered a male goat (4:23), while a common person could offer a female goat or lamb.

The smaller size and cost of the animal reflected that the common person had less influence. It probably related to their financial situation as well. Those who were poor could bring a pair of doves or young pigeons (5:7–8; 12:6, 8; compare Luke 2:24). The very poor could offer two quarts of flour (Leviticus 5:11).

Leviticus 4:1–5:13

The sin offering is called khatta’t in Hebrew, from the root khata’. It means "to lack, fall short, miss, fail." The people made this offering when they unintentionally violated specific commands of God (see also Numbers 15:22–29). The purpose of this offering was to repair a loss or fix a failure (for example, Leviticus 5:1–4).

Although all Christians sin, God will forgive us if we confess them (Galatians 6:1; 1 John 1:8–9). Yet, the Scripture warns against sinning "defiantly" or "deliberately" (Numbers 15:30–31; Hebrews 10:26–29; 6:4–6).

Theme notes and profiles

Ancient Law Codes Atonement Pure Worship

Related verses

Leviticus 4:14
…when they become aware of the sin they have committed, then the assembly must bring a young bull as a sin offering and present it before the Tent of Meeting.
Leviticus 5:4
Or if someone swears thoughtlessly with his lips to do anything good or evil—in whatever matter a man may rashly pronounce an oath—even if he is unaware of it, when he realizes it, he is guilty in the matter.
Romans 8:3
For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh,
Numbers 7:28
…one male goat for a sin offering;
Numbers 29:19
Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.
Leviticus 4:3
If the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, he must bring to the LORD a young bull without blemish as a sin offering for the sin he has committed.
Numbers 29:11
Include one male goat for a sin offering, in addition to the sin offering of atonement and the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offerings.
Leviticus 4:28
When he becomes aware of the sin he has committed, he must bring an unblemished female goat as his offering for that sin.
Leviticus 23:19
You shall also prepare one male goat as a sin offering and two male lambs a year old as a peace offering.
Numbers 7:34
…one male goat for a sin offering;
Numbers 29:5
Include one male goat as a sin offering to make atonement for you.
2 Kings 22:10–13
Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king.

Leviticus 4:23

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