Bible Commentaries
Leviticus 4

Introduction

Overview

Leviticus 4:1, The sin offering of ignorance; Leviticus 4:3, for the priest; Leviticus 4:13, for the congregation; Leviticus 4:22, for the ruler; Leviticus 4:27, for any of the people;

Verse 1

Reciprocal: Leviticus 4:13 - through ignorance Leviticus 7:37 - sin

Verse 2

through: Leviticus 5:15, Leviticus 5:17, Numbers 15:22-29, Deuteronomy 19:4, 1 Samuel 14:27, Psalms 19:12, 1 Timothy 1:13, Hebrews 5:2, Hebrews 9:7

which ought: Leviticus 4:27, Genesis 20:9, James 3:10

Reciprocal: Genesis 34:7 - thing Leviticus 4:13 - through ignorance Leviticus 4:22 - and done Leviticus 6:25 - the law Numbers 6:14 - one ewe Ezekiel 40:39 - the sin Hebrews 10:26 - if James 2:11 - Now

Verse 3

the priest: Leviticus 8:12, Leviticus 21:10-12, Exodus 29:7, Exodus 29:21

a young bullock: Leviticus 4:14, Leviticus 9:2, Leviticus 16:6, Leviticus 16:11, Ezekiel 43:19

for a sin: Leviticus 5:6, Exodus 29:14, Exodus 30:10, Numbers 8:8, Ezra 8:35, Romans 8:3, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 5:3, Hebrews 7:27, Hebrews 7:28

Reciprocal: Leviticus 4:20 - with the Leviticus 4:24 - it is a sin Leviticus 6:22 - is anointed Leviticus 6:25 - the law Leviticus 6:30 - General Leviticus 8:14 - he brought Leviticus 9:7 - offer thy Leviticus 16:3 - a young Leviticus 16:32 - the priest Numbers 6:14 - one ewe Numbers 35:25 - anointed 2 Chronicles 29:21 - a sin offering Ezra 6:17 - a sin offering Nehemiah 7:64 - as polluted Ezekiel 40:39 - the sin Ezekiel 44:27 - he shall offer Matthew 27:32 - as

Verse 4

bring: Leviticus 1:3, Exodus 29:10, Exodus 29:11

lay his hand: Leviticus 1:4, Leviticus 16:21, Isaiah 53:6, Daniel 9:26, 1 Peter 3:18

Reciprocal: Leviticus 3:8 - he shall Leviticus 4:15 - lay Leviticus 4:24 - And he Leviticus 4:29 - General Leviticus 4:33 - General Leviticus 8:14 - laid Leviticus 9:8 - General Leviticus 14:13 - in the place Leviticus 16:7 - General Hebrews 5:7 - when

Verse 5

Leviticus 4:16, Leviticus 4:17, Leviticus 16:14, Leviticus 16:19, Numbers 19:4, 1 John 1:7

Reciprocal: Leviticus 16:32 - the priest Hebrews 13:11 - the bodies

Verse 6

dip: Leviticus 4:17, Leviticus 4:25, Leviticus 4:30, Leviticus 4:34, Leviticus 8:15, Leviticus 9:9, Leviticus 16:14, Leviticus 16:19, Numbers 19:4

seven times: The number seven is what is called a number of perfection among the Hebrews; and is often used to denote the completion, fulness, or perfection of a thing. Leviticus 14:16, Leviticus 14:18, Leviticus 14:27, Leviticus 25:8, Leviticus 26:18, Leviticus 26:24, Leviticus 26:28, Joshua 6:4, Joshua 6:8

Reciprocal: Exodus 24:6 - on the altar Exodus 25:8 - a sanctuary Leviticus 14:7 - seven times

Verse 7

the horns: Leviticus 8:15, Leviticus 9:9, Leviticus 16:18, Exodus 30:1-10, Psalms 118:27, Hebrews 9:21-25

all the blood: Leviticus 4:18, Leviticus 4:34, Leviticus 5:9, Leviticus 8:15, Ephesians 2:13

Reciprocal: Exodus 27:2 - horns of it upon the four corners thereof Exodus 29:12 - pour all Leviticus 4:17 - General Leviticus 4:25 - put 2 Chronicles 29:22 - sprinkled Zechariah 9:15 - the corners Revelation 6:9 - I saw

Verse 8

Leviticus 4:19, Leviticus 4:26, Leviticus 4:31, Leviticus 4:35, Leviticus 3:3-5, Leviticus 3:9-11, Leviticus 3:14-16, Leviticus 7:3-5, Leviticus 16:25, Isaiah 53:10, John 12:27

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:13 - all the fat Leviticus 3:16 - all the fat Leviticus 7:23 - fat Leviticus 8:16 - General Leviticus 9:10 - the fat

Verse 9

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:13 - all the fat Leviticus 3:3 - the fat Leviticus 3:4 - General Leviticus 8:16 - General

Verse 10

peace offerings: Leviticus 23:19, Psalms 32:1, 1 Timothy 2:5, 1 Timothy 2:6

Verse 11

Leviticus 4:21, Leviticus 6:30, Leviticus 8:14-17, Leviticus 9:8-11, Leviticus 16:27, Exodus 29:14, Numbers 19:5, Psalms 103:12, Hebrews 13:11-13

Reciprocal: Leviticus 7:8 - skin Leviticus 8:17 - General Leviticus 9:11 - General

Verse 12

without the camp: Heb. to without the camp, This was intended, figuratively, to express the enormity of this sin, and the availableness of the atonement. The sacrifice, as having the sin of the priest transferred from himself to it, by his confession and imposition of hands, was become unclean and abominable, and was carried, as it were, out of God's sight; and thus its own offensiveness was removed, with the sin of the person in whose behalf it was offered. Leviticus 13:46, Numbers 5:3, Numbers 15:35, Numbers 19:3

the ashes: Leviticus 6:10, Leviticus 6:11

burn him: Exodus 29:14, Numbers 19:5, Hebrews 13:11

where the ashes are poured out: Heb. at the pouring out of the ashes

Reciprocal: Leviticus 1:16 - by the place Leviticus 4:21 - as he Leviticus 8:17 - General Leviticus 9:11 - General Leviticus 16:27 - bullock Ezekiel 43:21 - burn Matthew 27:32 - as

Verse 13

the whole congregation: This may refer to some oversight in acts of religious worship, or to some transgression of the letter of the law, which arose out of the peculiar circumstances in which they were found, as in the case mentioned in 1 Samuel 14:32, et seq. The sacrifices and rites in this case were the same as in the preceding; only here the elders laid their hands on the head of the victim, in the name of all the congregation.

through ignorance: Leviticus 4:1, Leviticus 4:2, Leviticus 5:2-5, Leviticus 5:17, Numbers 15:24-29, Joshua 7:11, Joshua 7:24-26, 1 Timothy 1:13, Hebrews 10:26-29

and are guilty: Leviticus 5:2-5, Leviticus 5:17, Leviticus 6:4, Ezra 10:19, Hosea 5:15, *marg. 1 Corinthians 11:27

Reciprocal: Genesis 34:7 - thing Leviticus 4:22 - and done Leviticus 4:27 - common people Numbers 15:22 - General 2 Kings 16:15 - the king's burnt 2 Chronicles 29:24 - the sin offering Ezra 6:17 - a sin offering Ezekiel 40:39 - the sin Hebrews 7:27 - and then James 2:11 - Now

Verse 14

young bullock: Leviticus 4:3

Reciprocal: Leviticus 4:23 - if his sin Leviticus 16:5 - General Numbers 8:8 - another Numbers 15:22 - General Numbers 15:24 - one young bullock Ezra 6:17 - a sin offering Ezekiel 45:22 - bullock

Verse 15

the elders: Exodus 24:1, Exodus 24:9, Numbers 11:16, Numbers 11:25, Deuteronomy 21:3-9

lay: Leviticus 4:4, Leviticus 1:4, Leviticus 16:21

Reciprocal: Leviticus 3:8 - he shall Leviticus 4:24 - in the place Leviticus 4:29 - General 2 Chronicles 29:23 - they laid

Verse 16

Leviticus 4:5-12, Hebrews 9:12-14

Reciprocal: Leviticus 9:7 - offer the Leviticus 16:32 - the priest Hebrews 13:11 - the bodies

Verse 17

Leviticus 4:6, Leviticus 4:7

Reciprocal: Leviticus 4:5 - General Leviticus 8:15 - Moses Leviticus 9:9 - General Leviticus 14:7 - seven times Leviticus 14:16 - General Leviticus 16:14 - General Numbers 19:4 - sprinkle Jeremiah 17:1 - and upon

Verse 18

upon the: Leviticus 4:7

and shall pour out: The reason for pouring out the blood, which is so constantly and strictly required by the law, was in opposition to an idolatrous custom of the ancient Zabii, who "were accustomed to eat of the blood of their sacrifices, because they imagined this to be the food of their gods, with whom they thought they had such communion, by eating their meat, that they revealed to them future things." - Maimonides

Reciprocal: Exodus 27:2 - horns of it upon the four corners thereof Exodus 29:12 - pour all Exodus 30:1 - an altar Leviticus 4:25 - put Leviticus 5:9 - the rest Leviticus 8:15 - Moses Leviticus 9:9 - General Leviticus 16:18 - General 2 Chronicles 29:22 - sprinkled Jeremiah 17:1 - and upon Zechariah 9:15 - the corners

Verse 19

Leviticus 4:8-10, Leviticus 4:26, Leviticus 4:31, Leviticus 4:35, Leviticus 5:6, Leviticus 6:7, Leviticus 12:8, Leviticus 14:18, Numbers 15:25, Psalms 22:14, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 9:14

Reciprocal: Leviticus 16:25 - General

Verse 20

with the: Leviticus 4:3

an atonement: Leviticus 4:26, Leviticus 1:4, Leviticus 5:6, Leviticus 6:7, Leviticus 12:8, Leviticus 14:18, Exodus 32:30, Numbers 15:25, Daniel 9:24, Romans 5:11, Galatians 3:13, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 2:17, Hebrews 9:14, Hebrews 10:10-12, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:2, Revelation 1:5

Reciprocal: Leviticus 4:35 - and the priest shall make Leviticus 5:10 - make Leviticus 5:13 - the priest Leviticus 5:18 - and the priest Leviticus 9:7 - offer thy Leviticus 12:7 - make Leviticus 15:15 - an atonement Leviticus 19:22 - and the sin Numbers 8:12 - atonement 1 Chronicles 6:49 - make an atonement Hebrews 9:22 - and without

Verse 21

as he: Leviticus 4:11, Leviticus 4:12

a sin offering: Leviticus 16:15, Leviticus 16:21, 2 Chronicles 29:21-24, Ezra 8:35, Matthew 20:28, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Timothy 2:5, 1 Timothy 2:6

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:14 - flesh Leviticus 4:24 - it is a sin Leviticus 6:11 - without Leviticus 6:25 - the law Leviticus 8:17 - General Leviticus 9:11 - General Leviticus 16:27 - bullock Numbers 19:3 - without the camp Numbers 19:5 - General Matthew 27:32 - as

Verse 22

a ruler hath sinned: Under the term nasi, that is, one preferred or elevated above others, from nasa, to exalt, it is probable that any person is meant who held any kind of political dignity among the people; and it evidently means the head of a tribe as in Numbers 1:4, Numbers 1:16, Numbers 7:2. But the Rabbins generally understand it of the prince of the great sanhedrin, who, when they were under the regal form of government, was the king. A kid of the goats was the sacrifice in this case; and the rites were nearly the same as in the preceding, only the fat was burnt as that of the peace offering - Leviticus 4:26. Exodus 18:21, Numbers 16:2, 2 Samuel 21:1-3, 2 Samuel 24:10-17

and done: Leviticus 4:2, Leviticus 4:13

Reciprocal: Leviticus 5:17 - a soul sin Numbers 15:22 - General Numbers 18:9 - every sin Ezra 6:17 - a sin offering James 2:11 - Now

Verse 23

if his sin: Leviticus 4:14, Leviticus 5:4, 2 Kings 22:10-13

a kid: Leviticus 9:3, Leviticus 23:19, Numbers 7:16, Numbers 7:22, Numbers 7:28, Numbers 7:34, Numbers 15:24, Numbers 28:15, Numbers 28:30, Numbers 29:5, Numbers 29:11, Numbers 29:16, Numbers 29:19, Romans 8:3

Reciprocal: Leviticus 1:3 - a male Leviticus 1:10 - a male Leviticus 4:28 - a kid Ezra 6:17 - a sin offering

Verse 24

And he: Leviticus 4:4-35, Isaiah 53:6

in the place: Leviticus 1:5, Leviticus 1:11, Leviticus 3:2, Leviticus 3:8, Leviticus 3:13, Leviticus 4:4, Leviticus 4:15, Leviticus 4:29, Leviticus 4:33, Leviticus 6:25, Leviticus 7:2, Leviticus 16:15, Exodus 29:38

it is a sin: Leviticus 4:3, Leviticus 4:21, Leviticus 4:31, Leviticus 4:35

Reciprocal: Leviticus 1:4 - put Leviticus 14:13 - in the place 2 Chronicles 29:23 - they laid

Verse 25

put: Leviticus 4:7, Leviticus 4:18, Leviticus 4:30, Leviticus 4:34, Leviticus 8:10, Leviticus 8:15, Leviticus 9:9, Leviticus 16:18, Isaiah 40:21, Romans 3:24-26, Romans 8:3, Romans 8:4, Romans 10:4, Hebrews 2:10, Hebrews 9:22

Reciprocal: Exodus 27:2 - horns of it upon the four corners thereof Exodus 29:12 - pour all Exodus 29:14 - it is a Leviticus 4:6 - dip Leviticus 5:9 - sprinkle Numbers 7:16 - General Jeremiah 17:1 - and upon Ezekiel 43:20 - take Zechariah 9:15 - the corners

Verse 26

the fat: Leviticus 4:8-10, Leviticus 4:35, See note on Leviticus 3:5. Leviticus 6:20-30

an atonement: Leviticus 4:20, Numbers 15:28

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:13 - all the fat Leviticus 1:4 - atonement Leviticus 3:16 - all the fat Leviticus 4:19 - General Leviticus 4:22 - a ruler hath sinned Leviticus 4:31 - all the fat Leviticus 5:10 - make Leviticus 5:13 - the priest Leviticus 5:16 - and the priest Leviticus 6:7 - make Leviticus 12:7 - make Leviticus 12:8 - make an atonement Leviticus 14:18 - make an atonement Leviticus 15:15 - an atonement Leviticus 19:22 - and the sin Numbers 15:25 - the priest Hebrews 9:22 - and without

Verse 27

any one: Heb. any soul, Leviticus 4:2, Numbers 15:27

common people: Heb. people of the land, Amos haaretz; that is, any individual who was not a priest, king, or ruler among the people; an ordinary person. Any of these having transgressed, was obliged to bring a lamb or kid, the ceremonies being nearly the same as in the preceding cases. Leviticus 4:2, Leviticus 4:13, Exodus 12:49, Numbers 5:6, Numbers 15:16, Numbers 15:29

Reciprocal: Genesis 34:7 - thing Leviticus 5:17 - a soul sin Leviticus 9:15 - General Numbers 6:14 - one ewe Numbers 15:22 - General Numbers 18:9 - every sin Ezekiel 45:20 - every one

Verse 28

a kid: Leviticus 4:23, Leviticus 4:32, Leviticus 5:6, Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 7:14, Jeremiah 31:22, Romans 8:3, Galatians 4:4, Galatians 4:5

a female: Leviticus 4:23, Galatians 3:28

Reciprocal: Numbers 15:27 - General Ezra 6:17 - a sin offering

Verse 29

Leviticus 4:4, Leviticus 4:15, Leviticus 4:24, Leviticus 4:33, Hebrews 10:4-14

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:14 - it is a Leviticus 1:4 - put Leviticus 6:25 - In the Leviticus 7:2 - in the place Leviticus 9:8 - General

Verse 30

upon the horns: Leviticus 4:25, Leviticus 4:34, Isaiah 42:21, Romans 8:3, Romans 8:4, Romans 10:4, Hebrews 2:10

pour out: There may have been some place at the bottom of the altar to receive and carry off the blood.

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:12 - pour all Leviticus 4:6 - dip Leviticus 4:35 - and the priest shall make Leviticus 5:9 - sprinkle Leviticus 8:15 - Moses Leviticus 9:9 - General Deuteronomy 12:27 - and the blood Ezekiel 43:20 - take

Verse 31

all the fat: Leviticus 4:8-10, Leviticus 4:19, Leviticus 4:26, Leviticus 4:35, Leviticus 3:3-5, Leviticus 3:9-11, Leviticus 3:14-16

a sweet: Leviticus 1:9, Leviticus 1:13, Leviticus 1:17, Leviticus 3:3, Leviticus 3:5, Leviticus 8:21, Exodus 29:18, Ezra 6:10, Job 42:8, Psalms 40:6, Psalms 40:7, Psalms 51:16, Psalms 51:17, Psalms 69:30, Psalms 69:31, Isaiah 42:21, Isaiah 53:10, Matthew 3:17, Ephesians 5:2, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 9:14, Hebrews 9:15, Hebrews 10:12, Hebrews 10:14, 1 Peter 2:4, 1 Peter 2:5, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 4:9, 1 John 4:10, Revelation 5:9

and the priest: Leviticus 4:26, Leviticus 4:35

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:13 - all the fat Leviticus 1:4 - atonement Leviticus 3:16 - all the fat Leviticus 4:24 - it is a sin Leviticus 5:10 - make Leviticus 5:13 - the priest Leviticus 6:7 - make Leviticus 12:7 - make Leviticus 14:18 - make an atonement Leviticus 15:15 - an atonement Leviticus 17:6 - burn Isaiah 43:24 - neither

Verse 32

a lamb: Leviticus 4:28, Leviticus 3:6, Leviticus 3:7, Leviticus 5:6, Exodus 12:3, Exodus 12:5, Isaiah 53:7, Luke 1:35, John 1:29, John 1:36, Hebrews 7:26, 1 Peter 1:18-20, 1 Peter 2:22, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 3:18, Revelation 5:6, Revelation 5:8, Revelation 5:9

without blemish: Leviticus 4:28, Ephesians 5:27, Hebrews 9:14, 1 Peter 2:22, 1 Peter 3:18

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:14 - it is a Leviticus 14:10 - ewe lamb Leviticus 22:19 - General Numbers 6:14 - one ewe

Verse 33

Leviticus 4:4, Leviticus 4:29-31

Reciprocal: Leviticus 4:24 - in the place Leviticus 6:25 - the law Leviticus 7:2 - in the place

Verse 34

the horns of the altar: Leviticus 4:25, Leviticus 4:30, Isaiah 42:21, John 17:19, Romans 8:1, Romans 8:3, Romans 10:4, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 2:10, Hebrews 10:29, 1 Peter 1:18-20, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 3:18

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:12 - pour all Leviticus 4:6 - dip Leviticus 4:7 - all the blood Leviticus 5:9 - sprinkle Leviticus 6:25 - the law Leviticus 9:10 - the fat 2 Chronicles 29:22 - sprinkled Ezekiel 43:20 - take

Verse 35

And he: Leviticus 4:31

according: Leviticus 1:1 - Leviticus 6:19

and the priest shall make: Leviticus 4:20, Leviticus 4:26, Leviticus 4:30, Leviticus 4:31, Leviticus 1:4, Leviticus 5:6, Leviticus 5:10, Leviticus 5:13, Leviticus 6:7, Leviticus 9:7, Leviticus 12:8, Leviticus 14:18, Leviticus 14:53, Leviticus 16:1-34, Numbers 15:25, Romans 3:24-26, Romans 4:25, Romans 5:6-11, Romans 5:15-21, Romans 8:1, Romans 8:3, Romans 8:4, Romans 10:4, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Ephesians 1:6, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 5:2, Colossians 1:14, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 4:14, Hebrews 7:26, Hebrews 9:14, 1 Peter 1:18, 1 Peter 1:19, 1 Peter 2:22, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 3:18, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:2, 1 John 4:9, 1 John 4:10, Revelation 1:5, Revelation 1:6

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:13 - all the fat Leviticus 3:5 - Aaron's Leviticus 4:8 - General Leviticus 4:19 - General Leviticus 4:24 - it is a sin Leviticus 5:12 - according Leviticus 9:10 - the fat Leviticus 12:7 - make Leviticus 15:15 - an atonement Numbers 8:12 - atonement Numbers 15:28 - General Hebrews 9:22 - and without