Old Testament · Leviticus

Leviticus 4

King James Version · Study Bible

Leviticus 4 Biblical Illustration
Illustration: Dramatic cinematic biblical illustration for Leviticus Chapter 4 showing Unintentional sin atonement, photorealistic oil painting style.
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Grace Notes Journey Audio Narration

Author

Moses

Written

~1446-1406 BC

Key Theme

Unintentional sin atonement

Setting

Wilderness Tabernacle

Key Verse

Leviticus 4:6

Total Verses

35

Chapter Introduction

*In this chapter, we see God's tender provision for those who stumble without knowing. Even when sin slips through ignorance, the Lord offers a way to restore peace with Him. The priest becomes the bridge, bringing the blood of sacrifice into the holy space so that guilt is removed. Let this remind us that God's grace covers even our unintended missteps.*

Leviticus — Chapter 4 — KJV
1

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Simply PutGod speaks, and He always initiates the conversation. The Hebrew word here is דָּבַר (dabar, H1699), which means to speak or proclaim. This tells us that any approach to Him starts with His voice, not ours.
2

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which ought not to be done, and shall do against any of them:

Simply PutEven when we mess up because we didn't know the law—what the Hebrew calls חַטָּאת (chatat, H2451), meaning sin or missing the mark—we are still accountable. The word for “commandments” (מִצְוָה, mitzvah, H4180) reminds us that God’s standards are clear; ignorance is not an excuse but a warning to keep learning.
3

If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering.

Simply PutThe priest, the kohen (H3823), is the one anointed (מָשִׁיחַ, mashiach, H3225) to stand between the people and God. When he sins, he must bring a spotless bull (חֵרֶם, cherem) as a sin offering, showing that even leaders must bear the cost of their mistakes.
4

And he shall bring the bullock unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD; and shall lay his hand upon the bullock’s head, and kill the bullock before the LORD.

Simply PutThe priest places his hand (יָד, yad, H3312) on the bull's head and slaughters it (שָׁחַט, shachath, H7705). This act symbolizes that the animal is taking on the person’s guilt—our sins are transferred to something else we can offer.
5

And the priest that is anointed shall take of the bullock’s blood, and bring it to the tabernacle of the congregation:

Simply PutThe priest carries the blood (דָּם, dam, H1264) to the tabernacle. In Hebrew culture, blood is the “life” of a creature; bringing it to God signifies giving Him the living evidence of our repentance.
6

And the priest shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle of the blood seven times before the LORD, before the vail of the sanctuary.

Simply PutHe sprinkles (זָרַק, zarak, H2149) the blood seven times before the veil. The number seven is God’s symbol of completeness, indicating that this act fully covers the sin and restores fellowship.
7

And the priest shall put some of the blood upon the horns of the altar of sweet incense before the LORD, which is in the tabernacle of the congregation; and shall pour all the blood of the bullock at the bottom of the altar of the burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Simply PutThe priest places some of the blood on the horns (קֶרֶן, keren, H7138) of the altar and pours it out at its base. The horns represent strength; by covering them with blood, we acknowledge that our power comes from God’s forgiveness.
8

And he shall take off from it all the fat of the bullock for the sin offering; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards,

Simply PutHe removes all the fat (חֵלֶב, chelev, H2583) from the bull. The Hebrew word “fat” refers to the best parts of an animal—what we give back to God as a sign that He is our source of abundance.
9

And the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, which is by the flanks, and the caul above the liver, with the kidneys, it shall he take away,

Simply PutThe priest takes away the kidneys (כִּדְמָה, kedma, H3615) and the fat that lies beside them. These are prime portions, showing that we must surrender our most valuable inner resources for atonement.
10

As it was taken off from the bullock of the sacrifice of peace offerings: and the priest shall burn them upon the altar of the burnt offering.

Simply PutHe burns these parts on the altar, just as he does for peace offerings (שֶׁלֶם, shelem, H7565). This continuity reminds us that forgiveness is always tied to worship and gratitude.
11

And the skin of the bullock, and all his flesh, with his head, and with his legs, and his inwards, and his dung,

Simply PutThe priest removes the bull’s skin, flesh, head, legs, insides, and dung. This thorough removal reflects how God wants us to cast out every trace of sin—from the obvious to the hidden.
12

Even the whole bullock shall he carry forth without the camp unto a clean place, where the ashes are poured out, and burn him on the wood with fire: where the ashes are poured out shall he be burnt.

Simply PutThe whole bull is taken “outside the camp” (חוץ, chuts, H2813) to a clean place where ash is poured out. This distance illustrates that sin must be removed from the community before it can be burned away.
13

And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which should not be done, and are guilty;

Simply PutIf the entire congregation sins unknowingly, they are still guilty. The word for “ignorance” (בְּעָוֹן, be'awon) carries the weight that even collective blind spots must be addressed.
14

When the sin, which they have sinned against it, is known, then the congregation shall offer a young bullock for the sin, and bring him before the tabernacle of the congregation.

Simply PutWhen their sin is known, the whole community offers a young bull. This communal sacrifice shows that God forgives not only individuals but also the nation when it humbles itself.
15

And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands upon the head of the bullock before the LORD: and the bullock shall be killed before the LORD.

Simply PutThe elders (זְקֵנִים, zekanim, H6603) lay their hands on the bull’s head. Their hands represent the leadership taking responsibility for the people’s sins.
16

And the priest that is anointed shall bring of the bullock’s blood to the tabernacle of the congregation:

Simply PutThe priest brings the bull's blood to the tabernacle. Blood continues to be the covenant sign of life and cleansing.
17

And the priest shall dip his finger in some of the blood, and sprinkle it seven times before the LORD, even before the vail.

18

And he shall put some of the blood upon the horns of the altar which is before the LORD, that is in the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall pour out all the blood at the bottom of the altar of the burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Simply PutHe places blood on the altar's horns and pours it out at its base. The altar stands as the place where God meets our repentance.
19

And he shall take all his fat from him, and burn it upon the altar.

Simply PutHe burns all the fat, offering it as a sweet scent to God. The fragrant smoke is our gratitude for His mercy.
20

And he shall do with the bullock as he did with the bullock for a sin offering, so shall he do with this: and the priest shall make an atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them.

Simply PutHe does everything the same way as with the priest’s sin offering, making atonement for all. This shows that God’s grace covers everyone who seeks it.
21

And he shall carry forth the bullock without the camp, and burn him as he burned the first bullock: it is a sin offering for the congregation.

Simply PutThe bull is taken outside the camp and burned. Even communal sins are removed from God’s dwelling, ensuring purity for all.
22

When a ruler hath sinned, and done somewhat through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD his God concerning things which should not be done, and is guilty;

Simply PutWhen a ruler sin through ignorance, the word “ruler” (נָשִׂיא, nasi, H3822) highlights that those in authority are not above accountability.
23

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:

Simply PutIf the ruler knows his sin, he offers a spotless goat (אַיִל, ayil). This personal offering mirrors the need for leaders to seek forgiveness directly.
24

And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the goat, and kill it in the place where they kill the burnt offering before the LORD: it is a sin offering.

Simply PutHe lays his hand on the goat’s head and slaughters it. The act of laying hands ties personal guilt to a sacrificial animal.
25

And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and shall pour out his blood at the bottom of the altar of burnt offering.

Simply PutThe priest spreads the goat’s blood on the altar’s horns and pours it out. Blood, again, is the symbol of life given for redemption.
26

And he shall burn all his fat upon the altar, as the fat of the sacrifice of peace offerings: and the priest shall make an atonement for him as concerning his sin, and it shall be forgiven him.

Simply PutHe burns all the fat and makes atonement. This ensures that even leaders receive God’s forgiveness when they repent.
27

And if any one of the common people sin through ignorance, while he doeth somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which ought not to be done, and be guilty;

Simply PutIf any ordinary person sins through ignorance, the Hebrew phrase "anyone" (אִישׁ, ish) reminds us that each individual bears responsibility before God.
28

Or if his sin, which he hath sinned, come to his knowledge: then he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a female without blemish, for his sin which he hath sinned.

Simply PutWhen his sin becomes known, he offers a spotless female goat. The animal's purity reflects the sincerity of our repentance.
29

And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the sin offering, and slay the sin offering in the place of the burnt offering.

30

And the priest shall take of the blood thereof with his finger, and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and shall pour out all the blood thereof at the bottom of the altar.

Simply PutThe priest spreads the blood on the altar’s horns and pours it out. The altar continues to serve as the meeting point for forgiveness.
31

And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat is taken away from off the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the priest shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savour unto the LORD; and the priest shall make an atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him.

Simply PutThe priest burns the fat, creating a sweet aroma that pleases God. This fragrant offering signifies our hope for His forgiveness.
32

And if he bring a lamb for a sin offering, he shall bring it a female without blemish.

Simply PutIf a person brings a lamb as a sin offering, it must be a spotless female. The emphasis on purity underscores the seriousness of atonement.
33

And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the sin offering, and slay it for a sin offering in the place where they kill the burnt offering.

34

And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and shall pour out all the blood thereof at the bottom of the altar:

35

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.

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✦ Cross-References

Exodus 30:10This verse describes the altar of incense, which Leviticus 4:7 instructs the priest to apply blood upon its horns during sin offerings.

Reflect

What is one area of your life where you feel the need to reset or make amends, and how might you bring your sincere effort—your “blood”—to a place of renewal today?