Leviticus 4:26

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And he shall burn all his fat upon the altar, as the fat of the sacrifice of peace offerings: and the priest shall make an atonement for him as concerning his sin, and it shall be forgiven him.

Complete Jewish Bible:

All its fat he is to make go up in smoke on the altar, like the fat of the sacrifice for peace offerings; thus the cohen will make atonement for him in regard to his sin, and he will be forgiven.

Berean Standard Bible:

He must burn all its fat on the altar, like the fat of the peace offerings; thus the priest will make atonement for that man’s sin, and he will be forgiven.

American Standard Version:

And all the fat thereof shall he burn upon the altar, as the fat of the sacrifice of peace-offerings; and the priest shall make atonement for him as concerning his sin, and he shall be forgiven.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And he shall burn^{H6999} all his fat^{H2459} upon the altar^{H4196}, as the fat^{H2459} of the sacrifice^{H2077} of peace offerings^{H8002}: and the priest^{H3548} shall make an atonement^{H3722} for him as concerning his sin^{H2403}, and it shall be forgiven^{H5545} him.

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Commentary for Leviticus 4:26

Leviticus 4:26 is part of a detailed section in the Old Testament that outlines the procedures for various types of sacrifices and offerings in ancient Israel. The verse specifically addresses the process of atonement for unintentional sins committed by an individual. In the historical context, the Israelites followed a system of worship that included animal sacrifices as a means of reconciliation with God.

The verse describes the conclusion of the sin offering ritual, where the fat of the sacrificed animal is burned upon the altar. The fat was considered the choicest part of the offering and was dedicated to God, symbolizing the best being given to the divine. The act of burning the fat on the altar was integral to the sacrificial process, signifying the consecration of the offering and the acknowledgment of God's holiness.

Upon completion of this ritual, the priest would then make atonement for the individual's sin. Atonement in this context refers to the act of making amends or reparation for the wrongdoing, effectively covering or removing the sin. The priest's role was crucial as he acted as a mediator between God and the people, performing the necessary rituals to restore the individual's relationship with God.

The assurance "and it shall be forgiven him" reflects the belief that through the proper observance of the sin offering, the individual's sin would be pardoned by God. This forgiveness was not earned by the act of sacrifice itself but was an expression of faith in God's mercy and the established means of atonement.

In summary, Leviticus 4:26 encapsulates the themes of repentance, atonement, and forgiveness within the sacrificial system of ancient Israel. It underscores the importance of ritual in maintaining the sacred covenant between God and His people, and it highlights the role of the priesthood in facilitating divine pardon for unintentional transgressions. This verse reflects the broader theological principle that sin disrupts one's relationship with God and that specific actions, as prescribed by God, are necessary to restore that relationship.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H6999
   There are 112 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָטַר
   Transliteration: qâṭar
   Pronunciation: kaw-tar'
   Description: a primitive root (identical with through the idea of fumigation in a close place and perhaps thus driving out the occupants); to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship); burn (incense, sacrifice) (upon), (altar for) incense, kindle, offer (incense, a sacrifice).
   
2. Strong's Number: H2459
   There are 69 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חֶלֶב
   Transliteration: cheleb
   Pronunciation: kheh'-leb
   Description: or חֵלֶב; from an unused root meaning to be fat; fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part; [idiom] best, fat(-ness), [idiom] finest, grease, marrow.
   
3. Strong's Number: H4196
   There are 338 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִזְבֵּחַ
   Transliteration: mizbêach
   Pronunciation: miz-bay'-akh
   Description: from זָבַח; an altar; altar.
   
4. Strong's Number: H2077
   There are 153 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: זֶבַח
   Transliteration: zebach
   Pronunciation: zeh'-bakh
   Description: from זָבַח; properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act); offer(-ing), sacrifice.
   
5. Strong's Number: H8002
   There are 84 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֶׁלֶם
   Transliteration: shelem
   Pronunciation: sheh'-lem
   Description: from שָׁלַם; properly, requital, i.e. a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks; peace offering.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3548
   There are 653 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כֹּהֵן
   Transliteration: kôhên
   Pronunciation: ko-hane'
   Description: active participle of כָּהַן; literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman); chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3722
   There are 94 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּפַר
   Transliteration: kâphar
   Pronunciation: kaw-far'
   Description: a primitive root; to cover (specifically with bitumen); figuratively, to expiate or condone, to placate or cancel; appease, make (an atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, purge (away), put off, (make) reconcile(-liation).
   
8. Strong's Number: H2403
   There are 272 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חַטָּאָה
   Transliteration: chaṭṭâʼâh
   Pronunciation: khat-taw-aw'
   Description: or חַטָּאת; from חָטָא; an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender; punishment (of sin), purifying(-fication for sin), sin(-ner, offering).
   
9. Strong's Number: H5545
   There are 45 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: סָלַח
   Transliteration: çâlach
   Pronunciation: saw-lakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to forgive; forgive, pardon, spare.