THE PURIFICATION FOR SIN OFFERING (LEVITICUS 4:1 TO LEVITICUS 5:13). Chapter 4 The Purification for Sin Offering (chatta'ah). Now we are introduced to the purification for sin and the guilt/trespass sacrifices. The form chatta'ah comes from a verbal stem meaning ‘to purify'. It deals with sin as a... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,' This is, as ever, the indication of the introduction of a new section, possibly communicated at a different time from the earlier one. But it confirms that the purification for sin offering was communicated by God to Moses on its own at a particular point in tim... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Speak to the children of Israel, saying, If any one shall sin unwittingly, in any of the things which Yahweh has commanded not to be done, and shall do any one of them.' Here we have a general introductory statement. It is a word to the children of Israel as a whole concerning the fact that ‘if an... [ Continue Reading ]
SINFUL FAILURE BY THE ANOINTED PRIEST (LEVITICUS 4:3). Here we are now faced with sinful failure by the anointed Priest himself. This was a grave matter indeed. Here was the one who, together with his sons had been set apart by God, and who represented the whole people before God and acted on their... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PURIFICATION FOR SIN OFFERING FOR THE WHOLE CONGREGATION (LEVITICUS 4:13). This second type of purification for sin offering is to occur when the whole congregation, the congregation as a nation, and thus the whole nation, has sinned. The ‘congregation' was the gathering of Israel. This ‘gatheri... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PURIFICATION FOR SIN OFFERING FOR A RULER OF THE PEOPLE (LEVITICUS 4:22). We now come a step down to a ruler of the people. The situation is now different. He does not represent the whole nation, nor, although appointed by God, is he God's anointed mediator for the whole people. This is a sin o... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PURIFICATION FOR SIN OFFERING FOR THE COMMON PEOPLE (LEVITICUS 4:27). This is of either a female goat or a female sheep. It is thus of lower rank than that of the ruler, which was male, but may be of either kind. By having the two dealt with separately we have five different types of purificati... [ Continue Reading ]