Leviticus Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of the book of Leviticus outlines the regulations for sin offerings, which were sacrifices made to atone for unintentional sins committed by the Israelites.

The chapter begins by describing the sin offering for the anointed priest (the high priest). If the high priest sinned, he was required to bring a young bull without blemish as a sin offering. He was to lay his hand on the bull’s head, signifying the transfer of sin, and then sacrifice it.

Next, the sin offering for the whole Israelite community is detailed. If the entire community sinned unintentionally, they were to bring a young bull as a sin offering. The elders of the community would lay their hands on the bull’s head before it was killed.

The chapter then outlines the sin offerings for the leader of the people. If a leader sinned unintentionally, he was to bring a male goat as his sin offering.

Finally, the regulations for the sin offering of a common person are given. If an ordinary Israelite sinned unintentionally, they were to bring a female goat or lamb as their sin offering.

In each case, the blood of the animal was to be sprinkled before the Lord, and the fat portions were to be burned on the altar. This was done to make atonement for the person’s sin and cleanse them from their unintentional wrongdoing.

The chapter emphasizes the seriousness of sin, even when committed unintentionally, and the need for consecrated sacrifices to restore right relationship with God. It lays out the specific requirements for different members of the Israelite community to make sin offerings.