Teks -- Leviticus 4:1-15 (NET)

Sin Offering Regulations

4:1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses: 4:2 “Tell the Israelites, ‘When a person sins by straying unintentionally from any of the Lord’s commandments which must not be violated, and violates any one of them–

For the Priest

4:3 “‘If the high priest sins so that the people are guilty, on account of the sin he has committed he must present a flawless young bull to the Lord for a sin offering. 4:4 He must bring the bull to the entrance of the Meeting Tent before the Lord, lay his hand on the head of the bull, and slaughter the bull before the Lord. 4:5 Then that high priest must take some of the blood of the bull and bring it to the Meeting Tent. 4:6 The priest must dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle some of it seven times before the Lord toward the front of the veil-canopy of the sanctuary. 4:7 The priest must put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense that is before the Lord in the Meeting Tent, and all the rest of the bull’s blood he must pour out at the base of the altar of burnt offering that is at the entrance of the Meeting Tent. 4:8 “‘Then he must take up all the fat from the sin offering bull: the fat covering the entrails and all the fat surrounding the entrails, 4:9 the two kidneys with the fat on their sinews, and the protruding lobe on the liver (which he is to remove along with the kidneys) 4:10 –just as it is taken from the ox of the peace offering sacrifice– and the priest must offer them up in smoke on the altar of burnt offering. 4:11 But the hide of the bull, all its flesh along with its head and its legs, its entrails, and its dung– 4:12 all the rest of the bull– he must bring outside the camp to a ceremonially clean place, to the fatty ash pile, and he must burn it on a wood fire; it must be burned on the fatty ash pile.

For the Whole Congregation

4:13 “‘If the whole congregation of Israel strays unintentionally and the matter is not noticed by the assembly, and they violate one of the Lord’s commandments, which must not be violated, so they become guilty, 4:14 the assembly must present a young bull for a sin offering when the sin they have committed becomes known. They must bring it before the Meeting Tent, 4:15 the elders of the congregation must lay their hands on the head of the bull before the Lord, and someone must slaughter the bull before the Lord.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Wesley: Lev 4:1 - The Lord spake unto Moses

The laws contained in the three first chapters, seem to have been delivered to Moses at one time. Here begin the laws of another day, which God delivered from between the Cherubim.

Wesley: Lev 4:2 - If a soul sin

This must necessarily be understood of more than common daily infirmities; for if every such sin had required an offering, it had not been possible either for most sinners to bear such a charge, or for the altar to receive so many sacrifices, or for the priests to manage so infinite a work. And for ordinary sins, they were ceremonially expiated by the daily offering, and by that on the great day of atonement, Lev 16:30.

Wesley: Lev 4:2 - Through ignorance

Or, error, either not knowing his act to be sinful, as appears by comparing Lev 4:13-14, or not considering it, but falling into sin thro' the power of some sudden passion or temptation, as the Hebrew word signifies, Psa 119:67.

Wesley: Lev 4:2 - Things which ought not to be done

The words may be rendered, in or about every, or any of the commandments of the Lord which should not be done; or, which concern things that should not be done, namely, in any negative commands. (And there is great reason why a sacrifice should be more necessary for these, than for other sins, because affirmative precepts do not so strictly and constantly bind men as the negative do.) Then he shall offer according to his quality, which is here to be understood out of the following verses.

Wesley: Lev 4:3 - If the priest

That is, the high-priest, who only was anointed after the first time. His anointing is mentioned, because he was not compleat high-priest 'till he was anointed.

Wesley: Lev 4:3 - Do sin

Either in doctrine or practice, which it is here supposed he may do. And this is noted as a character of imperfection in the priesthood of the law, whereby the Israelites were directed to expect another and better high-priest, even one who is holy, harmless, and separate from sinners, Heb 7:26.

Wesley: Lev 4:3 - According to the sin of the people

In the same manner as any of the people do; which implies that God expected more circumspection from him, than from the people. But the words may be rendered, to the sin or guilt of the people, which may be mentioned as an aggrevation of his sin, that by it he commonly brings sin, and guilt, and punishment upon the people, who are infected or scandalized by his example.

Wesley: Lev 4:3 - A young bullock

The same sacrifice which was offered for all the people, to shew how much his sin was aggravated by his quality.

Wesley: Lev 4:3

@@ Sin-offering __ Heb. sin, which word is oft taken in that sense.

Wesley: Lev 4:4 - On the head

To testify both his acknowledgment of his sin, and faith in God's promise for the expiation of his sins through Christ, whom that sacrifice typified.

Wesley: Lev 4:4 - Kill the bullock

By one of the priests, whom he should cause to do it.

Wesley: Lev 4:5 - To the tabernacle

Into the tabernacle; which was not required nor allowed in any other sacrifice, possibly to shew the greatness of the high-priest's sin, which needed more than ordinary diligence in him, and favour from God to expiate it.

Wesley: Lev 4:6 - Seven times

A number much used in scripture, as a number of perfection; and here prescribed, either to shew that his sins needed more then ordinary purgation, and more exercise of his faith and repentance, both which graces he was obliged to join with that ceremonial rite.

Wesley: Lev 4:6 - Before the veil

The second veil dividing between the holy of holies, which is generally called the veil of the sanctuary.

Wesley: Lev 4:7 - All the blood

All the rest; for part was disposed elsewhere.

Wesley: Lev 4:12 - The whole bullock

So no part of this was to be eaten by the priests, as it was in other sin-offerings. The reason is plain, because the offerer might not eat of his own sin-offering, and the priest was the offerer in this case, as also in the sin-offering for the whole congregation below, of which the priest himself was a member.

Wesley: Lev 4:12 - Shall be carried forth

Not himself, which would have defiled him, but by another whom he shall appoint for that work.

Wesley: Lev 4:12 - Without the camp

To signify either, The abominable nature of sin, especially in high and holy persons, or when it overspreads a whole people. Or, The removing of the guilt or punishment of that sin from the people. Or, That Christ should suffer without the camp or gate.

Wesley: Lev 4:12 - Where the ashes are

For the ashes, though at first they were thrown down near the altar, Lev 1:16, yet afterwards they, together with the filth of the sacrifices, were carried into a certain place without the camp.

Wesley: Lev 4:13 - The whole congregation

The body of the people, or the greater part of them, their rulers concurring with them.

Wesley: Lev 4:14 - A bullock

But if the sin of the congregation was only the omission of some ceremonial duty, a kid of the goats was to be offered, Num 15:24.

Wesley: Lev 4:15 - The elders

Who here acted in the name of all the people, who could not possibly perform this act in their own persons.

JFB: Lev 4:2 - If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the Lord

A soul--an individual. All sins may be considered, in a certain sense, as committed "through ignorance," error, or misapprehension of one's true interests. The sins, however, referred to in this law were unintentional violations of the ceremonial laws,--breaches made through haste, or inadvertency of some negative precepts, which, if done knowingly and wilfully, would have involved a capital punishment.

JFB: Lev 4:2 - do against any of them

To bring out the meaning, it is necessary to supply, "he shall bring a sin offering."

JFB: Lev 4:3 - If the priest that is anointed do sin

That is, the high priest, in whom, considering his character as typical mediator, and his exalted office, the people had the deepest interest; and whose transgression of any part of the divine law, therefore, whether done unconsciously or heedlessly, was a very serious offense, both as regarded himself individually, and the influence of his example. He is the person principally meant, though the common order of the priesthood was included.

JFB: Lev 4:3 - according to the sin of the people

That is, bring guilt on the people. He was to take a young bullock (the age and sex being expressly mentioned), and having killed it according to the form prescribed for the burnt offerings, he was to take it into the holy place and sprinkle the atoning blood seven times before the veil, and tip with the crimson fluid the horns of the golden altar of incense, on his way to the court of the priests,--a solemn ceremonial appointed only for very grave and heinous offenses, and which betokened that his sin, though done in ignorance, had vitiated all his services; nor could any official duty he engaged in be beneficial either to himself or the people, unless it were atoned for by blood.

JFB: Lev 4:11 - the skin of the bullock, and all his flesh

In ordinary circumstances, these were perquisites of the priests. But in the expiation necessary for a sin of the high priest, after the fat of the sacrifice was offered on the altar, the carcass was carried without the camp [Lev 4:12], in order that the total combustion of it in the place of ashes might the more strikingly indicate the enormity of the transgression, and the horror with which he regarded it (compare Heb 13:12-13).

JFB: Lev 4:13-21 - if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance

In consequence of some culpable neglect or misapprehension of the law, the people might contract national guilt, and then national expiation was necessary. The same sacrifice was to be offered as in the former case, but with this difference in the ceremonial, that the elders or heads of the tribes, as representing the people and being the principal aggressors in misleading the congregation, laid their hands on the head of the victim. The priest then took the blood into the holy place, where, after dipping his finger in it seven times, he sprinkled the drops seven times before the veil. This done, he returned to the court of the priests, and ascending the altar, put some portion upon its horns; then he poured it out at the foot of the altar. The fat was the only part of the animal which was offered on the altar; for the carcass, with its appurtenances and offals, was carried without the camp, into the place where the ashes were deposited, and there consumed with fire.

Clarke: Lev 4:2 - If a soul shall sin through ignorance

If a soul shall sin through ignorance - That is, if any man shall do what God has forbidden, or leave undone what God has commanded, through ignorance of the law relative to these points; as soon as the transgression or omission comes to his knowledge, he shall offer the sacrifice here prescribed, and shall not suppose that his ignorance is an excuse for his sin. He who, when his iniquity comes to his knowledge, refuses to offer such a sacrifice, sins obstinately and wilfully, and to him there remains no other sacrifice for sin - no other mode by which he can be reconciled to God, but he has a certain fearful looking for of judgment - which shall devour such adversaries; and this seems the case to which the apostle alludes, Heb 10:26, etc., in the words above quoted. There have been a great number of subtle questions started on this subject, both by Jews and Christians, but the above I believe to be the sense and spirit of the law.

Clarke: Lev 4:3 - If the priest that is anointed

If the priest that is anointed - Meaning, most probably, the high priest. According to the sin of the people; for although he had greater advantages than the people could have, in being more conversant with the law of God, and his lips should understand and preserve knowledge, yet it was possible even for him, in that time in which the word of God had not been fully revealed, to transgress through ignorance; and his transgression might have the very worst tendency, because the people might be thereby led into sin. Hence several critics understand this passage in this way, and translate it thus: If the anointed priest shall lead the people to sin; or, literally, if the anointed priest shall sin to the sin of the people; that is, so as to cause the people to transgress, the shepherd going astray, and the sheep following after him.

Clarke: Lev 4:4 - Lay his hand upon the bullock’ s head

Lay his hand upon the bullock’ s head - See Clarke’ s note on Lev 1:4.

Clarke: Lev 4:6 - Seven times

Seven times - See Clarke’ s note on Exo 29:30. The blood of this sacrifice was applied in three different ways

1.    The priest put his finger in it, and sprinkled it seven times before the veil, Lev 4:6

2.    He put some of it on the horns of the altar of incense

3.    He poured the remaining part at the bottom of the altar of burnt-offerings, Lev 4:7.

Clarke: Lev 4:12 - Without the camp

Without the camp - This was intended figuratively to express the sinfulness 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 the Lord’ s sight; from the tabernacle and congregation it must be carried without the camp, and thus its own offensiveness was removed, and the sin of the person in whose behalf it was offered. The apostle (Heb 13:11-13) applies this in the most pointed manner to Christ: "For the bodies of those beasts whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach."

Clarke: Lev 4:13 - If the whole congregation of Israel sin

If the whole congregation of Israel sin - This probably refers 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 then found, such as the case mentioned 1Sa 14:32, etc., where the people, through their long and excessive fatigue in their combat with the Philistines, being faint, flew on the spoil, and took sheep, oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground, and did eat with the blood; and this was partly occasioned by the rash adjuration of Saul, mentioned 1Sa 14:24 : Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening

The sacrifices and rites in this case were the same as those prescribed in the preceding, only here the elders of the congregation, i. e., three of the Sanhedrin, according to Maimonides, laid their hands on the head of the victim in the name of all the congregation.

Calvin: Lev 4:5 - And the priest that is anointed shall take

5.And the priest that is anointed shall take It is well known that what is here prescribed as to the sprinkling of blood, and its pouring out, as well as to the burning of the fat and the kidneys, is the same as in the other sacrifices; and the comparison in the 10^th verse sufficiently proves that, the ordinary forms were observed in other particulars. But inasmuch as it might seem absurd that the priest, who was himself guilty, should come before God to perform the office of reconciliation, it was necessary to prescribe the details more accurately, to obviate all doubt. Although, therefore, he was unworthy to approach God, yet, since the law of the priesthood was inviolable, he was admitted to the discharge of his duties; for it was not lawful that more mediators should be appointed. In order, then, that more reverence should be paid to the rites of the Law, and that men should seek after no other way of reconciliation, God extended His grace to the fault of the priest. The blood was sprinkled before the Lord, that the people might learn that through the sight of the sacrifice sins were hidden and buried, so as to come no more into remembrance before God; but the rest of the blood was poured before the altar, because it was holy, and therefore ought by no means to be cast elsewhere like anything profane.

Calvin: Lev 4:13 - And if the whole congregation

13.And if the whole congregation The very same sacrifice which was enjoined on the priest is required of the people; since he who went into the sanctuary in the name of all to present all the tribes before God, represented the whole body. It seems indeed that the kind of ignorance here spoken of is different from the former kind; since it was said “if the thing be hid;” yet I think that these infirmities are comprised, in which it often happens that men are blinded for a time. ²⁶¹ For many do not search into themselves, and therefore slumber in their sins; whereas if they honestly examined their doings, their conscience would straightway smite them. It might, then, happen that the whole people should fail to be aware of their sin, whilst dealing with themselves too gently and indulgently. The meaning therefore is, that although no sense of sin should at first arouse them to repentance, yet, if afterwards they should be awakened so as to begin to acknowledge their crime, God must be propitiated by sacrifices; for otherwise the people might make a cloak for themselves of their error.

TSK: Lev 4:2 - through // which ought

through : Lev 5:15, Lev 5:17; Num 15:22-29; Deu 19:4; 1Sa 14:27; Psa 19:12; 1Ti 1:13; Heb 5:2, Heb 9:7

which ought : Lev 4:27; Gen 20:9; Jam 3:10

TSK: Lev 4:3 - the priest // a young bullock // for a sin

the priest : Lev 8:12, Lev 21:10-12; Exo 29:7, Exo 29:21

a young bullock : Lev 4:14, Lev 9:2, Lev 16:6, Lev 16:11; Eze 43:19

for a sin : Lev 5:6; Exo 29:14, Exo 30:10; Num 8:8; Ezr 8:35; Rom 8:3; 2Co 5:21; Heb 5:3; Heb 7:27, Heb 7:28

TSK: Lev 4:4 - bring // lay his hand

bring : Lev 1:3; Exo 29:10, Exo 29:11

lay his hand : Lev 1:4, Lev 16:21; Isa 53:6; Dan 9:26; 1Pe 3:18

TSK: Lev 4:5

Lev 4:16, Lev 4:17, Lev 16:14, Lev 16:19; Num 19:4; 1Jo 1:7

TSK: Lev 4:6 - dip // seven times

dip : Lev 4:17, Lev 4:25, Lev 4:30, Lev 4:34, Lev 8:15, Lev 9:9, Lev 16:14, Lev 16:19; Num 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. Lev 14:16, Lev 14:18, Lev 14:27, Lev 25:8, Lev 26:18, Lev 26:24, Lev 26:28; Jos 6:4, Jos 6:8

TSK: Lev 4:7 - the horns // all the blood

the horns : Lev 8:15, Lev 9:9, Lev 16:18; Exo 30:1-10; Psa 118:27; Heb 9:21-25

all the blood : Lev 4:18, Lev 4:34, Lev 5:9, Lev 8:15; Eph 2:13

TSK: Lev 4:8

Lev 4:19, Lev 4:26, Lev 4:31, Lev 4:35, Lev 3:3-5, Lev 3:9-11, Lev 3:14-16, Lev 7:3-5, Lev 16:25; Isa 53:10; Joh 12:27

TSK: Lev 4:10 - peace offerings

peace offerings : Lev 23:19; Psa 32:1; 1Ti 2:5, 1Ti 2:6

TSK: Lev 4:11

Lev 4:21, Lev 6:30, Lev 8:14-17, Lev 9:8-11, Lev 16:27; Exo 29:14; Num 19:5; Psa 103:12; Heb 13:11-13

TSK: Lev 4:12 - without the camp // the ashes // burn him // where the ashes are poured out

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. Lev 13:46; Num 5:3, Num 15:35, Num 19:3

the ashes : Lev 6:10, Lev 6:11

burn him : Exo 29:14; Num 19:5; Heb 13:11

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

TSK: Lev 4:13 - the whole congregation // through ignorance // and are guilty

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 1Sa 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 : Lev 4:1, Lev 4:2, Lev 5:2-5, Lev 5:17; Num 15:24-29; Jos 7:11, Jos 7:24-26; 1Ti 1:13; Heb 10:26-29

and are guilty : Lev 5:2-5, Lev 5:17, Lev 6:4; Ezr 10:19; Hos 5:15 *marg. 1Co 11:27

TSK: Lev 4:14 - young bullock

young bullock : Lev 4:3

TSK: Lev 4:15 - the elders // lay

the elders : Exo 24:1, Exo 24:9; Num 11:16, Num 11:25; Deu 21:3-9

lay : Lev 4:4, Lev 1:4, Lev 16:21

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Lev 4:2 - 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

This must necessarily be understood of more than common sins and daily infirmities; for if every such sin had required an offering, it had not been possible either for most sinners to bear such a charge, or for the altar to receive so many sacrifices, or for the priests to manage so infinite a work. And for ordinary sins, they were ceremonially expiated by the daily offering, and by that on the great day of atonement, Lev 16:30 .

Through ignorance or, error ; either not knowing his fact to be sinful, as appears by comparing Lev 4:13,14 , or not considering it, but rashly and unadvisedly falling into sin through the power of some sudden passion or temptation, as the Hebrew word signifies, Psa 119:67 . Compare Job 19:4 Psa 19:13 .

Against any of the commandments of the Lord concerning things which ought not to be done: the words may be thus rendered, in or about every, or any of the commandments of the Lord which should not be done ; or, which concern things that should not be done , to wit, in any negative commands. And there is great reason why a sacrifice should be more necessary for these than for other sins, because affirmative precepts do not so strictly and constantly bind men as the negative do; and if a man through ignorance have neglected them, he may yet recover his error, and fulfil them.

And shall do against any of them then he shall offer according to his quality, which is here to be understood out of the following verses.

Poole: Lev 4:3 - The priest that is anointed // Do sin // According to the sin of the people // A young bullock // For a sin-offering

The priest that is anointed i.e. the high priest, who only was anointed after the first time. See Exo 29:7 30:30 40:15 Lev 10:7 Num 3:3 . His anointing is mentioned, because he was not complete high priest till he was anointed.

Do sin either in doctrine or practice, which it is here supposed he may do. And this is noted as a blot and character of imperfection in the priesthood of the law, whereby the Israelites were directed to expect another and better High Priest, even one who is holy, harmless, and separate from sinners , Heb 7:26 .

According to the sin of the people in the same manner as any of the people do, which implies that God expected more circumspection and care from him than from the people. But the words may be rendered, to the sin or guilt of the people , which may be mentioned as a reason of the law, and an aggravation of his sin, that by it he commonly brings sin, and guilt, and punishment upon the people, who are infected or scandalized by his example.

A young bullock the same sacrifice which was offered for all the people, to show how much his sin was aggravated by his quality.

For a sin-offering Heb. sin , which word is oft taken in that sense, as Exo 29:14 .

Poole: Lev 4:4 - He shall lay his hand upon the bullock’ s head // And kill the bullock

He shall lay his hand upon the bullock’ s head to testify both his acknowledgment of his sin, and his faith in God’ s promise for the expiation of his sins through Christ, whom that sacrifice typified.

And kill the bullock to wit, by one of the priests, whom he shall cause to do it; for this priest is distinguished from the anointed priest , Lev 4:5 .

Poole: Lev 4:5

Into the tabernacle; which was not required nor allowed in any other sacrifice, possibly to show the greatness of the high priest’ s sin, which needed more than ordinary diligence in him and favour from God to expiate it.

Poole: Lev 4:6 - Seven times // Before the veil

Seven times a number much used in Scripture, as a number of perfection; and here prescribed, either to show that his sins needed more than ordinary purgation, and more frequent and manifest exercises of his faith and repentance, both which graces he was obliged to join with that ceremonial rite.

Before the veil to wit, the second veil dividing between the holy of holies, which is generally called by the name here used, as Exo 26:31 35:12 40:3,21 Nu 4:5 .

Poole: Lev 4:7 - All the blood

The altar of sweet incense which is in the tabernacle ; the altar of burnt-offerings was without the tabernacle.

All the blood so also below, Lev 4:18,30,34 , to wit, all the rest, as it is expressed Lev 5:9 , for part was disposed elsewhere.

Poole: Lev 4:12 - Shall he carry forth // Without the camp

So no part of this was to be eaten by the priests, as it was in other sin-offerings, Lev 6:26 . The reason is plain, because the offerer might not eat of his own sin-offering, and the priest was the offerer in this case, as also in the sin-offering for the whole congregation below, Lev 4:21 , of which the priest himself was a member.

Shall he carry forth not himself, which would have defiled him, but by another whom he shall appoint for that work, as may be gathered from Lev 16:27,28 .

Without the camp to signify either,

1. The horrible and abominable nature of sin, especially in high and holy persons, or when it overspreads a whole people. Or,

2. The removing of the guilt and punishment of that sin from the people, and their duty of keeping such wickedness out of the camp for time to come. Or,

3. That Christ should suffer without the camp or gate, as he did. See Heb 13:11,12 . Where the ashes are poured out; for the ashes, though at first they were thrown down near the altar, Lev 1:16 , yet afterwards they, together with the filth of the sacrifices, were carried into a certain place without the camp. See Lev 6:10,11 .

Poole: Lev 4:13 - The whole congregation

The whole congregation the body of the people, or the greater part of them, their rulers concurring with them.

Poole: Lev 4:14 - Against it // A young bullock

Against it against any one of the said commandments.

A young bullock but if the sin of the congregation was only the omission of some ceremonial duty, a kid of the goats was to be offered, Num 15:24 .

Poole: Lev 4:15 - The elders of the congregation

The elders of the congregation i.e. the rulers of the people, of whom see Exo 3:16 24:1 , who here acted in the name of all the people, who could not possibly perform this act in their own persons.

Haydock: Lev 4:2 - Ignorance // Not to be done

Ignorance. To be ignorant of what we are bound to know is sinful: and for such culpable ignorance, these sacrifices, prescribed in this and the following chapter, were appointed. (Challoner) ---

Not to be done. Hence the Rabbins admit sins of ignorance, only against the negative precepts. But when God forbids one thing, he commands the contrary; and we may sin by ignorance against any of his ordinances. If the ignorance be voluntary, it enhances the crime; and Aristotle well observes that drunkards, who do an injury, are to be doubly punished, because their fault is voluntary in its cause, (ad Nicom. iii. 7). But if the ignorance were perfectly involuntary, and inculpable, no sacrifice was required; so that God here speaks only of that sort of ignorance which involved some degree of negligence. This fault could not be forgiven without interior good dispositions. The sacrifice only reached to the cleansing of the flesh, (Hebrews ix. 13,) or to screen the culprit from the severity of the law and of the magistrates; (Calmet) though they might help the inward dispositions of the heart, and thus contribute to obtain God's pardon. (Origen; St. Augustine, q. 20) The difference between peccatum and delictum, is not perfectly ascertained. Some think the former word denotes sins of malice, and the latter those of ignorance. Tirinus maintains the contrary, as a more costly sacrifice, he says, is required for the latter. (Haydock)

Haydock: Lev 4:3 - Anointed // Offend // Calf

Anointed. That is, "the high priest," Septuagint. Inferior priests were not anointed, except the sons of Aaron, at the beginning. (Calmet) ---

Ignorance in such a one is greatly to be avoided, as it tends to scandalize the people. (Haydock) ---

The same ceremonies are prescribed, as on the day of expiation; only the priest did not enter the most holy place. ---

Offend, in some smaller matter. If he engaged his brethren in the crime of idolatry, he should die. Deuteronomy xiii. 15. (Calmet) ---

Before the solemn unction, he might be expiated, like one of the princes. (Menochius)

Calf. Hebrew par, does not specify the age. (Calmet)

Haydock: Lev 4:5 - The blood

The blood. As the figure of the blood of Christ shed for the remission of our sins; and carried by him into the sanctuary of heaven.

Haydock: Lev 4:6 - Seven // Sanctuary

Seven. A number consecrated in Scripture, (Calmet) and not superstitious. (Worthington) ---

Apuleius (Met. xi.) mentions it. Septies submerso fluctibus capite. (Calmet) ---

Sanctuary, or most holy place. (Menochius)

Haydock: Lev 4:12 - Ashes

Ashes of the victims. They were first laid beside the altar of holocausts. By this ceremony, the priest begged that his sins might be removed from the sight of God, (Menochius) by virtue of Christ's sacrifice, who suffered out of the gate of Jerusalem, Hebrews xiii. 13. The high priest was obliged to offer this sacrifice himself, to expiate his own sin, as well as that of the people, Hebrews ix. 7.

Haydock: Lev 4:13 - Multitude

Multitude assembled. Septuagint add, "be involuntarily ignorant, and no one of the congregation perceive the truth, ( or word,) and shall transgress, by commission or omission, one of all the precepts of the Lord." Such was the offence of Saul and the people, 1 Kings xiv. 33. On these occasions, the elders were to put their hands on the victim, to acknowledge the general offence, if it were not of too heinous a nature to be expiated by sacrifice. See Deuteronomy xiii. 12.

Gill: Lev 4:1 - And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying.

And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying. Continued to speak to him, or, after some pause made, proceeded to speak to him, and give things in commandment concerning the sin offering, what it should be, and for whom, as follows.

Gill: Lev 4:2 - Speak unto the children of Israel, saying // if a soul should 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

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying,.... For this law concerning the sin offering, as the rest, only belonged to them, and such as were proselyted to them:

if a soul should sin through ignorance; sin is from the soul, though committed by the body; it is the soul that sins, Eze 18:4 it includes, as Aben Ezra observes, both Israelites and proselytes; who sinned through ignorance either of the law, that such things were forbidden, or of having committed them, they being done unobserved, and through inadvertency; or were forgotten that they were done, or were done through error and mistake; these sins are what the apostle calls the errors of the people, their strayings out of the way through ignorance and inadvertency, Heb 5:2 such sins as a man is overtaken with unawares, and is drawn into at once through temptation and the prevalence of corruption; these are the errors and secret faults which David distinguishes from presumptuous sins, Psa 19:12,

against any of the commandments of the Lord ( concerning things which ought not to be done.) The Jewish writers ^m distinguish the commandments of the Lord into affirmative and negative, and make their number to be six hundred and thirteen; two hundred and forty eight are affirmative, according to the number of bones in a man's body, and three hundred sixty five are negative ones, according to the number of the days of the year; and they observe ⁿ, it is only the transgression of negative precepts that is here meant, and for which a sin offering was to be brought:

and shall do against any of them; it must be something done, and not merely said: hence the Jews ^o say, that as the neglect of circumcision, and of the passover, does not come under this law, because they are affirmative precepts; so neither blasphemy, because there is nothing done, only something said: of these sins of ignorance, they give instances as follows; if any man eats the fat that is about the kidneys, thinking it is the fat that is about the heart; or that lies with a woman forbidden by the law, thinking her to be his wife; or that commits idolatry, by bowing to the idol, thinking that the law forbids sacrifice, incense, and libation, but not bowing; or that profanes the sabbath, thinking it is a common day ^p.

Gill: Lev 4:3 - If the priest that is anointed do sin // according to the sin of the people // then let him bring for the sin which he has sinned // a young bullock // without blemish // unto the Lord // for a sin offering

If the priest that is anointed do sin,.... That is, the high priest, as the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan, and the Septuagint version, render it; who in after times was only anointed, though at first Aaron's sons were anointed with him; so an high priest is described in Lev 21:10 and such an one was liable to sin, and often did; which shows not only that the greatest and best of men are not without sin, but proves what the apostle observes, that the law made men high priests which had infirmity, even sinful infirmities, who needed to offer for themselves as well as for the people; by which it appeared that perfection could not be had by the Levitical priesthood, and that it was proper it should cease, and another priesthood take place, Heb 7:11,

according to the sin of the people; committing the like sins of error and ignorance as the common people, to which he was liable as they; or "to make the people guilty"; as the margin reads; to which agrees the Septuagint version, "so that the people sin"; and the Vulgate Latin version, "making the people to sin"; either by his doctrine or example, and both through ignorance, heedlessness, and inadvertency: the Targum of Jonathan is,"when he offers the offering of sin for the people, not according to its manner''or rite; as if his sin lay in erring while he was offering; but be it in which way it may, whether by any unadvised inadvertent action of his own, or ignorant instruction of the people, so causing them to err, or any ignorance or mistake in offering the sacrifices of the people:

then let him bring for the sin which he has sinned; in either way:

a young bullock; not an ox which was three years old, nor a calf which was but of one year, but a bullock which was of two years; so Maimonides ^q observes, that wherever it is said a calf, that is a young one of the first year, but a bullock it is a young one of the second year: as are men's characters, so are the aggravations of their sins, and sacrifices were proportioned thereunto; the high priest was obliged to bring the same offering as the whole congregation did in a like case; see Lev 4:13.

without blemish; a type of the sacrifice of Christ offered up without spot to God, as it follows:

unto the Lord; against whom sin is committed, and therefore sacrifice both in the type and antitype must be brought and offered up to him, by whom it is accepted, and to whom it is of a sweetsmelling savour, namely, the unblemished sacrifice of Christ:

for a sin offering; or "for sin": the sin offering is called sin itself, and so is Christ the antitype of it, 2Co 5:21 Christ is most holy in himself, had no sin in him, nor knew any, nor were any committed by him; yet he appeared in the likeness of sinful flesh, took the place of sinners, and was their substitute, had all their sins laid upon him, and was by imputation made sin itself, and became an offering for it, and so fully answered the type of the sin offering.

Gill: Lev 4:4 - And he shall bring the bullock unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord // and shall lay his hand on the bullock's head // and kill the bullock before the Lord

And he shall bring the bullock unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord,.... As the bullock of the burnt offering; See Gill on Lev 1:3,

and shall lay his hand on the bullock's head; the Targum of Jonathan says his right hand; See Gill on Lev 1:4,

and kill the bullock before the Lord; at the door of the tabernacle, that is, in the court, as Gersom observes; according to the above Targum, the butcher killed it, and not the priest: See Gill on Lev 1:5 all this is typical of the imputation of sin to Christ, and of his death.

Gill: Lev 4:5 - And the priest that is anointed shall take of the bullock's blood // and bring it to the tabernacle of the congregation

And the priest that is anointed shall take of the bullock's blood,.... Let out and received into a basin; this he did himself, and not another, for he offered for himself, and the blood was to make atonement for him:

and bring it to the tabernacle of the congregation; out of the court where the bullock was slain, into the holy place, where were the vail that divided between the holy of holies, and the altar of sweet incense, after mentioned.

Gill: Lev 4:6 - 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

And the priest shall dip his finger in the blood,.... The finger of his right hand, as Gersom observes, and so Maimonides ^r; for blood was always taken and sprinkled with the right hand, if done with the left it was wrong, according to the Jewish canons ^s and though it is only said the priest, and not that is anointed, as before, yet it seems to mean him and not another; though if a private priest did this, Gersom says, it would be right, and so Maimonides ^t:

and sprinkle of the blood seven times before the Lord; a figure of the blood of Christ, called, in allusion to this rite, the blood of sprinkling; which being presented before the Lord, calls for pardon from him, and sprinkled on the conscience, speaks peace there, and perfectly cleanses from all sin, which the seven times sprinkling is a symbol of:

before the vail of the sanctuary: the words may be literally rendered, "the face of the vail of the sanctuary": as if the blood was sprinkled on the outside of the vail. Jarchi's note is,"over against the place of its holiness, he directed (it) over against between the staves; the blood shall not touch the vail, but if it touches, it touches it;''that is, it is no matter. And according to Maimonides ^u the blood of bullocks and goats burnt was sprinkled seven times upon the vail, which divided between the and the holy of holies. This typified the vail of flesh, whose blood gives boldness to enter into the holiest of all, Heb 10:19.

Gill: Lev 4:7 - 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 burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation

And the priest shall put some of the blood,.... With his finger, which he dipped into it:

upon the horns of the altar of sweet incense before the Lord, which is in the tabernacle of the congregation; this was the golden altar on which incense was offered: it was placed before the vail, on the outside of it, in the holy place, see Exo 30:1 and the priest, when he put the blood on the horns of it, began at the northeast horn, so to the northwest, then to the southwest, and last to the southeast ^w; and the priest dipped his finger at every horn, and when he had finished at one horn, he wiped his finger at the edge of the basin, and after that dipped a second time; for what remained of the blood on his finger was not fit to put upon another horn ^x. This rite shows, that the intercession of Christ, signified by the altar of sweet incense, proceeds upon the foot of his blood and sacrifice, Rev 8:3 1Jo 2:1,

and shall pour all the blood of the bullock at the bottom of the altar of burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation; this altar stood without the holy place, and the altar of incense within; and after the priest had sprinkled of the blood of the bullock, upon the horns of the altar of incense, what remained he poured at the bottom of the altar of burnt offering; for though it is said "all" the blood, it can mean no more than what was left; wherefore the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "all the remaining blood": and Jarchi's explanatory note is, the rest of the blood. The place where this was poured, according to Maimonides ^y, was the west bottom of the altar; and Gersom on the place observes the same. This denotes the efficacy of Christ's blood to make atonement for sin, and the reverent esteem it ought to be had in, being precious blood.

Gill: Lev 4:8-10 - And he shall take off from it all the fat of the bullock for the sin offering

And he shall take off from it all the fat of the bullock for the sin offering,.... When the priest had killed the bullock, and sprinkled and poured the blood, as before commanded; he then cut up the bullock, and took out its inwards, and put them in a vessel, and salted them, and strowed them on the fires ^z, and burnt them, and the fat of them, as he did with the sacrifice of the peace offerings; so that what is here said, and in the two next verses Lev 4:9, is the same with what is ordered concerning them in Lev 3:3; see Gill on Lev 3:3, Lev 3:4, Lev 3:5. Jarchi and Gersom both observe that they agree, that as one brings peace into the world, so does the other.

Gill: Lev 4:11 - And the skin of the bullock // and all his flesh, with his head, and with his legs, and his inwards, and his dung

And the skin of the bullock,.... Not taken off; for the sin offerings that were burnt were not flayed at all, but were cut in pieces with their skins on them ^a; in other burnt offerings the skin was taken off, and was a perquisite of the priest, Lev 7:8 but this being an offering for the priest, the skin was burnt with the rest:

and all his flesh, with his head, and with his legs, and his inwards, and his dung; the burning of these denoted the sufferings of Christ, and these several parts the extent of them, they reaching to all parts of his body as stretched upon the cross; and the dung particularly the reproach of them, he dying the death of the cross, and was made sin and a curse for his people.

Gill: Lev 4:12 - 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

Even the whole bullock shall he carry forth without the camp,.... The Jewish writers interpret it without the three camps ^b, the camp of the tabernacle, the camp of the Levites, and the camp of the Israelites; when the temple was built, such sacrifices were carried and burnt without the city of Jerusalem; there were three places for burning; one was in the midst of the court, where they burnt such sacrifices as were unfit and rejected; the other was in the mountain of the house called Birah, where they burnt such as any accident befell them, after the carrying of them out of the court; and the third place was without Jerusalem, called the place of ashes ^c: this was typical of Christ being had out of the city of Jerusalem, and suffering without the gates of it, Heb 13:11,

unto a clean place, where the ashes are poured out; the ashes of the burnt offerings. This, according to Ainsworth, answered to the place where Christ was crucified, being a place of skulls, or dead men's ashes, Joh 19:17,

and burn him on the wood with fire; any wood might be used for the burning of it, even straw or stubble, which in the Hebrew language are called wood, as Gersom on the place observes, and so Maimonides ^d; and it is added, "with fire", as the last writer says ^e, to exclude lime and cinder coals:

where the ashes are poured out shall he be burnt; openly without; and seeing it is not said, that the priest shall carry forth the bullock, and shall burn it, it is concluded by Gersom on the place, that both may be done lawfully by a stranger, and so Maimonides ^f.

Gill: Lev 4:13 - 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

And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance,.... That is, all Israel, or the greatest part of them, as Gersom interprets it, through the ignorant teaching of the judges, who by their instruction cause the people to err, and commit sins of ignorance, as Baal Hatturim on the place observes, and Maimonides elsewhere ^g; wherefore Jarchi, and some others, by the congregation of Israel understand the sanhedrim, or the bench of judges, consisting of seventy one. Ainsworth remarks on the words, that the church may err:

and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly; congregation or church, so that they do not know that it is a sin which they have committed:

and they have done somewhat against any of the commandments of the Lord, concerning things which should not be done; transgressed negative precepts:

and are guilty; of sin, though as yet they know it not.

Gill: Lev 4:14 - 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

When the sin which they have sinned against it,.... Any of the commandments of the Lord forbidding such a thing to be done:

is known; is made known to them by the priest, or any other, so that they are convinced that what has been done is wrong, though done through ignorance:

then the congregation shall offer a young bullock for the sin, and bring him before the tabernacle of the congregation; the same offering with that of the anointed priest, he being, as Aben Ezra on the place observes, equal to all Israel.

Gill: Lev 4:15 - 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

And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands upon the head of the bullock before the Lord,.... These must be two at least, some say three, and some say five ^h; the more generally received notion is, that they were three of the sanhedrim ⁱ; though the Targum of Jonathan makes them to be the twelve rulers of the twelve tribes:

and the bullock shall be killed before the Lord; in the court near the altar of burnt offering, either by a priest, or Levite, or by a butcher, as the above Targum expresses it.