Leviticus 4:33

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the sin offering, and slay it for a sin offering in the place where they kill the burnt offering.

Complete Jewish Bible:

lay his hand on the head of the sin offering and slaughter it as a sin offering in the place where they slaughter burnt offerings.

Berean Standard Bible:

And he is to lay his hand on the head of the sin offering and slaughter it as a sin offering at the place where the burnt offering is slaughtered.

American Standard Version:

And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the sin-offering, and kill it for a sin-offering in the place where they kill the burnt-offering.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And he shall lay{H5564} his hand{H3027} upon the head{H7218} of the sin offering{H2403}, and slay{H7819} it for a sin offering{H2403} in the place{H4725} where they kill{H7819} the burnt offering{H5930}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Leviticus 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 upon the bullock's head, and kill the bullock before the LORD.

Leviticus 4:29

  • And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the sin offering, and slay the sin offering in the place of the burnt offering.

Leviticus 4:31

  • 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.

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Commentary for Leviticus 4:33

1. **Themes:**
- **Atonement for Sin:** The verse emphasizes the necessity of a sin offering to atone for unintentional sins committed by the anointed priest or the congregation. The act of laying hands on the animal transfers the guilt of the sin to the offering, symbolizing a substitutionary sacrifice.
- **Ritual and Ceremony:** The detailed instructions for the sin offering highlight the importance of ritual and ceremony in the Israelite religion. The precise manner of the offering reflects the belief in the sanctity of worship and the need for specific procedures to approach God.
- **Holiness of God:** The requirement for a sin offering underscores the holiness of God and the seriousness with which sin is regarded. Even accidental transgressions require reconciliation with God through a specified sacrificial process.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Israelite Priesthood:** Leviticus 4:33 is part of the regulations given to the Israelite priesthood, particularly the high priest, detailing how to atone for the sins of the community and its leaders.
- **Mosaic Law:** This verse falls within the Mosaic Law, which was given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai. It is part of the complex system of laws and rituals that governed the religious and social life of ancient Israel.
- **Tabernacle Worship:** The instructions are set during the time when the Tabernacle was the central place of worship for the Israelites. The sacrifices were to be performed at a specific place within the Tabernacle complex, emphasizing the centralization of worship and the importance of the sanctuary as the dwelling place of God.
- **Expiatory Sacrifices:** The sin offering (Hebrew: חַטָּאת, chatat) was one of several types of sacrifices in Levitical law. It was distinct from burnt offerings (עֹלָה, olah) and peace offerings (שְׁלָמִים, shelamim), each serving a different purpose in the worship and atonement process.

In summary, Leviticus 4:33 reflects the themes of atonement, the sanctity of ritual, and the holiness of God within the historical context of the Israelite priesthood and the regulations of the Mosaic Law, as the people of Israel navigated their relationship with God through the sacrificial system at the Tabernacle.

*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: H5564
    There are 47 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: סָמַךְ
    Transliteration: çâmak
    Pronunciation: saw-mak'
    Description: a primitive root; to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a favorable or unfavorable sense); bear up, establish, (up-) hold, lay, lean, lie hard, put, rest self, set self, stand fast, stay (self), sustain.
  2. Strong's Number: H3027
    There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יָד
    Transliteration: yâd
    Pronunciation: yawd
    Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves.
  3. Strong's Number: H7218
    There are 548 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רֹאשׁ
    Transliteration: rôʼsh
    Pronunciation: roshe
    Description: from an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.); band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top.
  4. 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).
  5. Strong's Number: H7819
    There are 70 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׁחַט
    Transliteration: shâchaṭ
    Pronunciation: shaw-khat'
    Description: a primitive root; to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre); kill, offer, shoot out, slay, slaughter.
  6. Strong's Number: H4725
    There are 379 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מָקוֹם
    Transliteration: mâqôwm
    Pronunciation: maw-kome'
    Description: or מָקֹם; also (feminine) מְקוֹמָה; or מְקֹמָה; from קוּם; properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind); country, [idiom] home, [idiom] open, place, room, space, [idiom] whither(-soever).
  7. Strong's Number: H5930
    There are 262 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עֹלָה
    Transliteration: ʻôlâh
    Pronunciation: o-law'
    Description: or עוֹלָה; feminine active participle of עָלָה; a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke); ascent, burnt offering (sacrifice), go up to. See also עֶוֶל.