Leviticus 4:31

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat is taken away from off the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the priest shall burn [it] upon the altar for a sweet savour unto the LORD; and the priest shall make an atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him.

Complete Jewish Bible:

All its fat he is to remove, as the fat is removed from the sacrifice for peace offerings; and the cohen is to make it go up in smoke on the altar as a fragrant aroma for ADONAI. Thus the cohen will make atonement for him, and he will be forgiven.

Berean Standard Bible:

Then he is to remove all the fat, just as it is removed from the peace offering, and the priest is to burn it on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the LORD. In this way the priest will make atonement for him, and he will be forgiven.

American Standard Version:

And all the fat thereof shall he take away, as the fat is taken away from off the sacrifice of peace-offerings; and the priest shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savor unto Jehovah; and the priest shall make atonement for him, and he shall be forgiven.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And he shall take away^{H5493} all the fat^{H2459} thereof, as the fat^{H2459} is taken away^{H5493} from off the sacrifice^{H2077} of peace offerings^{H8002}; and the priest^{H3548} shall burn^{H6999} it upon the altar^{H4196} for a sweet^{H5207} savour^{H7381} unto the LORD^{H3068}; and the priest^{H3548} shall make an atonement^{H3722} for him, and it shall be forgiven^{H5545} him.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Leviticus 4:31

1. **Themes:**
- **Atonement and Forgiveness:** The primary theme of Leviticus 4:31 is the process of atonement for unintentional sins, emphasizing that through the proper ritual, individuals can be forgiven by God.
- **Ritual Purity and Sacrifice:** The detailed instructions for the removal of fat from the peace offerings highlight the importance of ritual purity and the significance of sacrifices in maintaining a right relationship with God.
- **Role of the Priesthood:** The verse underscores the role of the priest as a mediator between God and the people, performing the necessary rituals for atonement.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Mosaic Law:** Leviticus is part of the Pentateuch, traditionally ascribed to Moses, and contains the law given to the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt. This law code provided a framework for religious and social life.
- **Covenant Relationship:** The sacrificial system was integral to the covenant relationship between God and Israel. It was a means to restore the relationship when it was broken by sin.
- **Post-Exodus Period:** The book of Leviticus is set in the wilderness, shortly after the Israelites' escape from Egypt, during the time when the tabernacle was the central place of worship before the establishment of the Temple in Jerusalem.
- **Cultic Practice:** The detailed instructions for sacrifices reflect the priestly concerns for proper worship and the belief that God prescribed specific rituals to be performed by the Aaronic priesthood.

In summary, Leviticus 4:31, within the context of the sacrificial system of ancient Israel, emphasizes the themes of atonement, forgiveness, ritual purity, and the central role of the priesthood in maintaining the covenant relationship between God and His people.

*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: H5493
   There are 283 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: סוּר
   Transliteration: çûwr
   Pronunciation: soor
   Description: or שׂוּר; (Hosea 9:12), a primitive root; to turn off (literal or figurative); be(-head), bring, call back, decline, depart, eschew, get (you), go (aside), [idiom] grievous, lay away (by), leave undone, be past, pluck away, put (away, down), rebel, remove (to and fro), revolt, [idiom] be sour, take (away, off), turn (aside, away, in), withdraw, be without.
   
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: 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.
   
4. 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.
   
5. 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.
   
6. 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).
   
7. 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.
   
8. Strong's Number: H5207
   There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נִיחוֹחַ
   Transliteration: nîychôwach
   Pronunciation: nee-kho'-akh
   Description: or נִיחֹחַ; from נוּחַ; properly, restful, i.e. pleasant; abstractly, delight; sweet (odour).
   
9. Strong's Number: H7381
   There are 55 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רֵיחַ
   Transliteration: rêyach
   Pronunciation: ray'-akh
   Description: from רוּחַ; odor (as if blown); savour, scent, smell.
   
10. Strong's Number: H3068
    There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יְהֹוָה
    Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
    Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
    Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
    
11. 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).
    
12. 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.