Keraia
Leviticus 4

Leviticus 4:35

Laws for Sin Offerings · Leviticus 4:1–35
Read Leviticus 4

Translations

Modern
And he shall remove all the fat, just as the fat of the lamb is removed from the peace offerings, and he shall burn it on the altar along with the food offerings to the LORD. In this way the priest will make atonement for him for the sin he has committed, and he will be forgiven.
Traditional
And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat of the lamb is taken away from the sacrifice of the peace offerings; and the priest shall burn them upon the altar, according to the offerings made by fire unto the Lord: and the priest shall make an atonement for his sin that he hath committed, and it shall be forgiven him.
Literal
And all its fat he shall remove, as the fat of the lamb is removed from the sacrifice of the peace offerings, and the priest shall burn them on the altar, on the fire offerings to YHWH. And the priest shall make atonement upon him, upon his sin that he has sinned, and it shall be forgiven for him.
Latin
Omnem quoque adipem auferens, sicut auferri solet adeps arietis, qui immolatur pro pacificis, cremabit super altare in incensum Domini: rogabitque pro eo, et pro peccato ejus, et dimittetur ei.

Original

Hebrew
English
And he shall remove all the fat, just as the fat of the lamb is removed from the peace offerings, and he shall burn it on the altar along with the food offerings to the LORD. In this way the priest will make atonement for him for the sin he has committed, and he will be forgiven.

Notes

Leviticus 4:27–35

The common people, with fewer responsibilities than priests or leaders, could offer a female sheep or goat. More important social positions required more responsibility (see Amos 3:2; Matthew 25:14–30; James 3:1).

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

Parallels

Leviticus 5:1–13 Leviticus 6:24–30

Glossary

Biblical Concept of Law Deuteronomy, Book of History of Israel Law of Moses Leviticus, Book of Moses Offerings and Sacrifices Worship

Topics

Atonement: Made by Animal Sacrifices Ignorance: Sins of Offerings: Different Kinds of Sin Priest: Duties of To offer Sacrifices Sacrifices: Different Kinds of Sin offering for Sins of Ignorance Sin: Forgiveness of Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: Persons Sinning Ignorantly