(The Lord speaking is red text)
And the skin of the bullock, and all his flesh, with his head, and with his legs, and his inwards, and his dung,
But the bull's hide and all its flesh, with its head, the lower parts of its legs, its inner organs and dung -
But the hide of the bull and all its flesh, with its head and legs and its entrails and dungβ
And the skin of the bullock, and all its flesh, with its head, and with its legs, and its inwards, and its dung,
And the skin{H5785} of the bullock{H6499}, and all his flesh{H1320}, with his head{H7218}, and with his legs{H3767}, and his inwards{H7130}, and his dung{H6569},
Leviticus 4:11 is part of the instructions given by God to Moses for the Israelites concerning the sin offering, which was a sacrifice intended to atone for unintentional sins committed by individuals or the community. The verse specifically details what is to be done with the bull after it has been slaughtered as a sin offering for a priest or the entire community.
**Themes:**
1. **Atonement and Forgiveness:** The sin offering was a central theme in Levitical law, emphasizing the need for atonement to reconcile with God after sinning, even if unintentionally.
2. **Holiness and Purity:** The detailed process of the sin offering, including the disposal of the bull, underscores the importance of maintaining ritual purity and holiness before God.
3. **Sacrifice and Offerings:** The verse reflects the broader theme of sacrifices in the Old Testament, where physical offerings were a tangible means of worship and repentance.
**Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** The Book of Leviticus is set during the time of Moses, after the Israelites' exodus from Egypt and while they were in the wilderness, approximately the 13th century BCE.
- **Cultural Practices:** Animal sacrifices were common in the ancient Near East, but the specific rituals and meanings prescribed in Leviticus were unique to Israelite religion, distinguishing it from the practices of surrounding cultures.
- **Purpose of Law:** The laws in Leviticus served to establish a covenant relationship between God and Israel, providing a framework for how the people were to live in accordance with God's holy standards.
In summary, Leviticus 4:11 is part of the detailed instructions for the sin offering, which was an essential ritual for maintaining the spiritual integrity of the Israelite community and their relationship with God. The verse highlights the themes of atonement, holiness, and the sacrificial system that was integral to the religious life of ancient Israel.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)