Focused Passage

Leviticus 4:1-12

The Sin Offering: Purification for Unintentional Sin

The LORD provides sin offering instructions for unintentional sins by the anointed priest, the whole congregation, a leader, or an ordinary member of the community, showing that guilt at every level must be brought before God through sacrifice, blood, priestly mediation, and atonement.

Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources

1Then the LORD said to Moses,

2“Tell the Israelites to do as follows with one who sins unintentionally against any of the LORD’s commandments and does what is forbidden by them:

3If 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.

4He must bring the bull to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting before the LORD, lay his hand on the bull’s head, and slaughter it before the LORD.

5Then the anointed priest shall take some of the bull’s blood and bring it into the Tent of Meeting.

6The priest is to dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle some of it seven times before the LORD, in front of the veil of the sanctuary.

7The priest must then put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense that is before the LORD in the Tent of Meeting. And he is to pour out the rest of the bull’s blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

8Then he shall remove all the fat from the bull of the sin offering—the fat that covers the entrails, all the fat that is on them,

9both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he is to remove with the kidneys—

10just as the fat is removed from the ox of the peace offering. Then the priest shall burn them on the altar of burnt offering.

11But the hide of the bull and all its flesh, with its head and legs and its entrails and dung—

12all the rest of the bull—he must take outside the camp to a ceremonially clean place where the ashes are poured out, and there he must burn it on a wood fire on the ash heap.

Study Helps

References and Original Words

Verse 1

Original words

Then the LORDיְהוָ֖הH3068Noun - proper - masculine singularsaidוַיְדַבֵּ֥רH1696Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singulartoאֶל־H413PrepositionMosesמֹשֶׁ֥הH4872Noun - proper - masculine singular. . .לֵּאמֹֽר׃H559Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Verse 2

Original words

Tellדַּבֵּ֞רH1696Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular. . .אֶל־H413Prepositionthe Israelitesבְּנֵ֣יH1121Noun - masculine plural construct. . .יִשְׂרָאֵ֘לH3478Noun - proper - masculine singulartoלֵאמֹר֒H559Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive constructdo as followsכִּֽי־H3588Conjunctionwith oneנֶ֗פֶשׁH5315Noun - feminine singularwho sinsתֶחֱטָ֤אH2398Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singularunintentionallyבִשְׁגָגָה֙H7684Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singularagainst anyמִכֹּל֙H3605Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular constructof the LORD’sיְהוָ֔הH3068Noun - proper - masculine singular-אֲשֶׁ֖רH834Pronoun - relativecommandmentsמִצְוֺ֣תH4687Noun - feminine plural constructand doesתֵעָשֶׂ֑ינָהH6213Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural. . .וְעָשָׂ֕הH6213Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularwhat isמֵאַחַ֖תH259Preposition-m | Number - feminine singularforbiddenלֹ֣אH3808Adverb - Negative particleby themמֵהֵֽנָּה׃Preposition-m | Pronoun - third person feminine plural
Verse 3

Original words

Ifאִ֣םH518Conjunctionthe anointedהַמָּשִׁ֛יחַH4899Article | Adjective - masculine singularpriestהַכֹּהֵ֧ןH3548Article | Noun - masculine singularsinsיֶחֱטָ֖אH2398Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularbringing guiltלְאַשְׁמַ֣תH819Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular constructon the peopleהָעָ֑םH5971Article | Noun - masculine singularhe must bringוְהִקְרִ֡יבH7126Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularto the LORDלַיהוָ֖הH3068Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singulara young bullפַּ֣רH6499Noun - masculine singularwithout blemishתָּמִ֛יםH8549Adjective - masculine singular. . .בֶּן־H1121Noun - masculine singular construct. . .בָּקָ֥רH1241Noun - masculine singularasעַ֣לH5921Prepositiona sin offeringחַטָּאתוֹ֩H2403Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular-אֲשֶׁ֨רH834Pronoun - relativefor the sinלְחַטָּֽאת׃H2403Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singularhe has committedחָטָ֜אH2398Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular

BSB notes

  • Or purification offering; here and throughout Leviticus
Verse 4

Original words

He must bringוְהֵבִ֣יאH935Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markerthe bullהַפָּ֗רH6499Article | Noun - masculine singulartoאֶל־H413Prepositionthe entranceפֶּ֛תַחH6607Noun - masculine singular constructto the Tentאֹ֥הֶלH168Noun - masculine singularof Meetingמוֹעֵ֖דH4150Noun - masculine singularbeforeלִפְנֵ֣יH6440Preposition-l | Noun - common plural constructthe LORDיְהוָ֑הH3068Noun - proper - masculine singularlayוְסָמַ֤ךְH5564Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markerhis handיָדוֹ֙H3027Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singularonעַל־H5921Prepositionthe bull’sהַפָּ֔רH6499Article | Noun - masculine singularheadרֹ֣אשׁH7218Noun - masculine singular constructand slaughterוְשָׁחַ֥טH7819Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markeritהַפָּ֖רH6499Article | Noun - masculine singularbeforeלִפְנֵ֥יH6440Preposition-l | Noun - common plural constructthe LORDיְהוָֽה׃H3068Noun - proper - masculine singular
Verse 5

Original words

Then the anointedהַמָּשִׁ֖יחַH4899Article | Adjective - masculine singularpriestהַכֹּהֵ֥ןH3548Article | Noun - masculine singularshall takeוְלָקַ֛חH3947Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularsome of the bull’sהַפָּ֑רH6499Article | Noun - masculine singularbloodמִדַּ֣םH1818Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular constructand bringוְהֵבִ֥יאH935Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularitאֹת֖וֹH853Direct object marker | third person masculine singularintoאֶל־H413Prepositionthe Tentאֹ֥הֶלH168Noun - masculine singular constructof Meetingמוֹעֵֽד׃H4150Noun - masculine singular
Verse 6

Original words

The priestהַכֹּהֵ֛ןH3548Article | Noun - masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markeris to dipוְטָבַ֧לH2881Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularhis fingerאֶצְבָּע֖וֹH676Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singularin the bloodבַּדָּ֑םH1818Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singularand sprinkleוְהִזָּ֨הH5137Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularsome ofמִן־H4480Prepositionitהַדָּ֜םH1818Article | Noun - masculine singularsevenשֶׁ֤בַעH7651Number - feminine singulartimesפְּעָמִים֙H6471Noun - feminine pluralbeforeלִפְנֵ֣יH6440Preposition-l | Noun - common plural constructthe LORDיְהוָ֔הH3068Noun - proper - masculine singular. . .אֶת־H854Direct object markerin front ofפְּנֵ֖יH6440Noun - common plural constructthe veilפָּרֹ֥כֶתH6532Noun - feminine singular constructof the sanctuaryהַקֹּֽדֶשׁ׃H6944Article | Noun - masculine singular
Verse 7

Original words

The priestהַכֹּהֵ֨ןH3548Article | Noun - masculine singularmust then putוְנָתַן֩H5414Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularsome ofמִן־H4480Prepositionthe bloodהַדָּ֜םH1818Article | Noun - masculine singularonעַל־H5921Prepositionthe hornsקַ֠רְנוֹתH7161Noun - feminine plural constructof the altarמִזְבַּ֨חH4196Noun - masculine singular constructof fragrantהַסַּמִּים֙H5561Article | Noun - masculine pluralincenseקְטֹ֤רֶתH7004Noun - feminine singular constructthat is beforeלִפְנֵ֣יH6440Preposition-l | Noun - common plural constructthe LORDיְהוָ֔הH3068Noun - proper - masculine singular-אֲשֶׁ֖רH834Pronoun - relativein the Tentבְּאֹ֣הֶלH168Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular constructof Meetingמוֹעֵ֑דH4150Noun - masculine singularAndוְאֵ֣ת׀H853Conjunctive waw | Direct object markerhe is to pour outיִשְׁפֹּךְ֙H8210Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularthe restכָּל־H3605Noun - masculine singular constructof the bull’sהַפָּ֗רH6499Article | Noun - masculine singularbloodדַּ֣םH1818Noun - masculine singular constructatאֶל־H413Prepositionthe baseיְסוֹד֙H3247Noun - masculine singular constructof the altarמִזְבַּ֣חH4196Noun - masculine singular constructof burnt offeringהָעֹלָ֔הH5930Article | Noun - feminine singular-אֲשֶׁר־H834Pronoun - relativeat the entranceפֶּ֖תַחH6607Noun - masculine singular constructto the Tentאֹ֥הֶלH168Noun - masculine singular constructof Meetingמוֹעֵֽד׃H4150Noun - masculine singular
Verse 8

Original words

Thenוְאֶת־H853Conjunctive waw | Direct object markerhe shall removeיָרִ֣יםH7311Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singularallכָּל־H3605Noun - masculine singular constructthe fatחֵ֛לֶבH2459Noun - masculine singular constructfromמִמֶּ֑נּוּH4480Preposition | third person masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markerthe bullפַּ֥רH6499Noun - masculine singular constructof the sin offeringהַֽחַטָּ֖אתH2403Article | Noun - feminine singularthe fatהַחֵ֙לֶב֙H2459Article | Noun - masculine singularthat coversהַֽמְכַסֶּ֣הH3680Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singularעַל־עַל־H5921Prepositionthe entrailsהַקֶּ֔רֶבH7130Article | Noun - masculine singular-וְאֵת֙H853Conjunctive waw | Direct object markerallכָּל־H3605Noun - masculine singular constructthe fatהַחֵ֔לֶבH2459Article | Noun - masculine singularthatאֲשֶׁ֖רH834Pronoun - relativeis onעַל־H5921Preposition[them]הַקֶּֽרֶב׃H7130Article | Noun - masculine singular
Verse 9

Original words

-וְאֵת֙H853Conjunctive waw | Direct object markerbothשְׁתֵּ֣יH8147Number - feminine dual constructkidneysהַכְּלָיֹ֔תH3629Article | Noun - feminine plural-וְאֶת־H853Conjunctive waw | Direct object markerwith the fatהַחֵ֙לֶב֙H2459Article | Noun - masculine singular-אֲשֶׁ֣רH834Pronoun - relativeon themעֲלֵיהֶ֔ןH5921Preposition | third person feminine plural-אֲשֶׁ֖רH834Pronoun - relativenearעַל־H5921Prepositionthe loinsהַכְּסָלִ֑יםH3689Article | Noun - masculine pluralandוְאֶת־H853Conjunctive waw | Direct object markerthe lobeהַיֹּתֶ֙רֶת֙H3508Article | Noun - feminine singularofעַל־H5921Prepositionthe liverהַכָּבֵ֔דH3516Article | Noun - feminine singularwhich he is to removeיְסִירֶֽנָּה׃H5493Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singularwithעַל־H5921Prepositionthe kidneysהַכְּלָי֖וֹתH3629Article | Noun - feminine plural
Verse 10

Original words

just asכַּאֲשֶׁ֣רH834Preposition-k | Pronoun - relativethe fat is removedיוּרַ֔םH7311Verb - Hofal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularfrom the oxמִשּׁ֖וֹרH7794Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular constructvvvזֶ֣בַחH2077Noun - masculine singular constructof the peace offeringהַשְּׁלָמִ֑יםH8002Article | Noun - masculine pluralThen the priestהַכֹּהֵ֔ןH3548Article | Noun - masculine singularshall burn themוְהִקְטִירָם֙H6999Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine pluralonעַ֖לH5921Prepositionthe altarמִזְבַּ֥חH4196Noun - masculine singular constructof burnt offeringהָעֹלָֽה׃H5930Article | Noun - feminine singular
Verse 11

Original words

-וְאֶת־H853Conjunctive waw | Direct object markerBut the hideע֤וֹרH5785Noun - masculine singular constructof the bullהַפָּר֙H6499Article | Noun - masculine singular-וְאֶת־H853Conjunctive waw | Direct object markerand allכָּל־H3605Noun - masculine singular constructits fleshבְּשָׂר֔וֹH1320Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singularwithעַל־H5921Prepositionits headרֹאשׁ֖וֹH7218Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular. . .וְעַל־H5921Conjunctive waw | Prepositionand legsכְּרָעָ֑יוH3767Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singularand its entrailsוְקִרְבּ֖וֹH7130Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singularand dungוּפִרְשֽׁוֹ׃H6569Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Verse 12

Original words

allכָּל־H3605Noun - masculine singular constructthe rest of the bullהַ֠פָּרH6499Article | Noun - masculine singularhe must takeוְהוֹצִ֣יאH3318Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markeroutsideמִח֨וּץH2351Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singularthe campלַֽמַּחֲנֶ֜הH4264Preposition-l, Article | Noun - common singulartoאֶל־H413Prepositiona ceremonially cleanטָהוֹר֙H2889Adjective - masculine singular. . .אֶל־H413Prepositionplaceמָק֤וֹםH4725Noun - masculine singularwhereאֶל־H413Prepositionthe ashesהַדֶּ֔שֶׁןH1880Article | Noun - masculine singularare poured outשֶׁ֣פֶךְH8211Noun - masculine singular constructand there he must burnוְשָׂרַ֥ףH8313Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular-אֹת֛וֹH853Direct object marker | third person masculine singularit onעַל־H5921Prepositiona woodעֵצִ֖יםH6086Noun - masculine pluralfireבָּאֵ֑שׁH784Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular-יִשָּׂרֵֽף׃פH8313Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularonעַל־H5921Prepositionthe ashהַדֶּ֖שֶׁןH1880Article | Noun - masculine singularheapשֶׁ֥פֶךְH8211Noun - masculine singular construct

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