Leviticus 4:15

KJV

And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands upon the head of the bullock before the LORD: and the bullock shall be killed before the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the elders {H2205} of the congregation {H5712} shall lay {H5564} their hands {H3027} upon the head {H7218} of the bullock {H6499} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}: and the bullock {H6499} shall be killed {H7819} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The leaders of the community are to lay their hands on the bull's head and slaughter the bull in the presence of ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

The elders of the congregation are to lay their hands on the bull’s head before the LORD, and it shall be slaughtered before the LORD.

American Standard Version

And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands upon the head of the bullock before Jehovah; and the bullock shall be killed before Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 4:15 meticulously details a pivotal procedural step within the *chatta'th* (sin offering) ritual specifically mandated for the entire Israelite congregation when it inadvertently incurred corporate guilt. This verse outlines the solemn act of the elders, acting as the community's representatives, laying their hands upon the head of a bullock, followed by the animal's ritual slaughter in the sacred presence of the LORD. It profoundly illustrates the theological principles of identification, substitutionary atonement, and the absolute necessity of solemn purification for the restoration of fellowship with a holy God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 4 is entirely devoted to the *chatta'th*, or "sin offering," distinguishing it from other sacrifices by its unique purpose: to atone for unintentional sins and impurities that defiled the covenant relationship and the Tabernacle. The chapter systematically outlines varying procedures and animal requirements based on the status of the sinner: the anointed priest ([Leviticus 4:3-12](/leviticus/4-3 "Leviticus 4:3-12 - The Priest's Sin Offering")), the whole congregation ([Leviticus 4:13-21](/leviticus/4-13 "Leviticus 4:13-21 - The Congregation's Sin Offering")), a ruler ([Leviticus 4:22-26](/leviticus/4-22 "Leviticus 4:22-26 - The Ruler's Sin Offering")), and an ordinary person ([Leviticus 4:27-35](/leviticus/4-27 "Leviticus 4:27-35 - The Common Person's Sin Offering")). Our verse, which describes a critical step in [the congregation's sin offering](/leviticus/4-15 "Leviticus 4:15 - The Congregation's Sin Offering"), follows the initial recognition of communal guilt, where the congregation unknowingly commits an act "against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which should not be done, and are guilty" ([Leviticus 4:13](/leviticus/4-13 "Leviticus 4:13 - The Congregation Sins Unintentionally")). The preceding verses ([Leviticus 4:13-14](/leviticus/4-13-14 "Leviticus 4:13-14 - Congregation's Guilt and Offering")) establish the requirement for a young bull as the sin offering, brought to the Tabernacle. Following this verse, [Leviticus 4:16-21](/leviticus/4-16-21 "Leviticus 4:16-21 - Ritual for the Congregation's Sin Offering") details the subsequent priestly actions involving the blood and fat, culminating in the atonement for the community.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The elaborate sacrificial system, meticulously detailed in [the book of Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus - Laws of Holiness and Sacrifice"), formed the bedrock of ancient Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh. In a society where God's tangible presence resided among His people in the Tabernacle, maintaining holiness was paramount. Unlike many pagan rituals that aimed to placate unpredictable deities, Israel's offerings were a divinely instituted response to God's gracious provision for dealing with sin and impurity, thereby upholding His holiness and justice while demonstrating His profound mercy. The concept of corporate responsibility was deeply woven into the fabric of Israelite society; the actions, or even unintentional sins, of individuals or leaders could incur guilt upon the entire community, as powerfully illustrated by narratives such as [Achan's sin](/joshua/7 "Joshua 7 - Achan's Sin and Israel's Defeat") leading to defeat, or [David's census](/2_samuel/24 "2 Samuel 24 - David's Census and Punishment") bringing plague. The elders, recognized as the representative leaders of the congregation, were the appropriate figures to perform the symbolic act of laying hands, thereby signifying that the entire community's corporate guilt was being transferred. The bullock, a valuable and unblemished animal, represented a significant economic cost, underscoring the gravity of sin and the solemnity of the atonement process. The entire ritual transpired "before the LORD," meaning at the Tabernacle, the designated locus of God's dwelling and where His presence was uniquely manifested.

* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 4:15 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Holiness**, emphasizing God's absolute purity and the necessity for His people to maintain a state of ritual and moral cleanness to dwell in His presence. This verse highlights the pervasive nature of **Sin**, even unintentional sin, and its defiling effect on the community and the sacred space. Crucially, it introduces the theme of **Atonement**, God's divinely provided means for covering or expiating sin, allowing for reconciliation. The act of laying hands and the subsequent slaughter of the bullock vividly portray **Substitutionary Atonement**, where an innocent life is given in place of the guilty. Furthermore, the role of the elders underscores **Corporate Responsibility and Representation**, demonstrating that the community functions as a unified body before God, and the actions of its representatives have communal implications. Finally, the meticulous detail of the ritual points to God's **Gracious Provision**, revealing His mercy in establishing a pathway for forgiveness and restoration despite humanity's inherent sinfulness, a theme echoed throughout [the Old Testament sacrificial system](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Burnt Offering").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lay (Hebrew, _çâmak'_ H5564):** This primitive root signifies "to prop," "to lean upon," or "to take hold of." In the context of the sacrificial system, particularly with the laying of hands on the animal's head, it conveys a profound sense of **identification** and **transfer**. It is not a mere touch but a leaning or pressing, symbolizing the literal transfer of the congregation's corporate sin, guilt, and the associated judgment onto the innocent animal. This physical act made the abstract concept of sin-bearing tangible and visible, establishing a direct link between the offerer (represented by the elders) and the sacrifice.
* **Hands (Hebrew, _yâd'_ H3027):** This common Hebrew word refers to the hand, often used metaphorically to denote power, means, or agency. In the ritual of "laying hands" (*çâmak yâd*), the hands serve as the instrument through which the symbolic transfer of guilt occurs. The elders' hands, representing the entire congregation, physically connect the community's sin to the bullock. This emphasizes the active participation and intentionality required in the atonement process, making the act a deliberate and conscious identification with the sacrificial victim.
* **Bullock (Hebrew, _par'_ H6499):** This term designates a young bull, typically a valuable and robust animal, usually between one and three years old. The selection of a bullock for the congregational sin offering (and for the high priest's sin offering in [Leviticus 4:3](/leviticus/4-3 "Leviticus 4:3 - The Priest's Sin Offering")) signifies the high cost and supreme significance of the offering. It was a costly animal, reflecting the gravity of the sin being atoned for and the seriousness of the communal guilt. The animal was implicitly required to be "without blemish," symbolizing its purity and fitness to serve as an unblemished substitute capable of bearing the transferred sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands upon the head of the bullock before the LORD:"** This clause precisely identifies the actors ("the elders of the congregation") who serve as the authorized representatives of the entire community. Their prescribed action, "shall lay their hands upon the head of the bullock," constitutes the pivotal moment of symbolic identification and transfer. Through this solemn physical gesture, the collective guilt, sin, and defilement of the congregation are ritually transferred onto the innocent animal. The crucial phrase "before the LORD" establishes the sacred context and divine witness, indicating that this act is not merely a human custom but a divinely ordained ritual performed directly in God's immediate presence at the Tabernacle and under His supreme authority.
* **"and the bullock shall be killed before the LORD."** This second clause describes the immediate and necessary consequence of the symbolic transfer: the death of the substitute. The declaration that "the bullock shall be killed" signifies that the ultimate penalty for sin—death—is now executed upon the animal, which has taken on the congregation's corporate guilt. The powerful repetition of "before the LORD" reinforces the profound sacredness of the act and underscores that this ritual slaughter is not a profane or violent act, but a holy one, performed under God's watchful eye and as an integral part of His prescribed means of atonement. It highlights the foundational principle of the Old Testament sacrificial system: the necessity of a life given for a life for the remission of sins.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 4:15 employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound theological truths with precision and impact. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the bullock serving as a potent symbol of substitution, bearing the transferred guilt of the congregation. The act of "laying hands" is a powerful symbolic gesture, representing the deep identification of the sinner (or the community of sinners) with the sacrifice and the ritualistic transfer of their sin and its judgment onto the innocent animal. The "head" of the animal, being the most prominent and vital part, emphasizes the totality and completeness of the transfer. **Repetition** is also key, specifically with the phrase "before the LORD," which appears twice within this short verse. This deliberate repetition serves to emphasize the solemnity, sacredness, and divine authorization of the entire ritual. It underscores that the atonement is not a casual or human-initiated act, but one performed directly in the presence of and according to the sovereign will of the holy God. Furthermore, the prescriptive and detailed nature of the text itself exemplifies **ritualistic language**, providing precise, step-by-step instructions for a sacred ceremony, reinforcing the idea that every component is divinely ordained and carries profound spiritual significance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 4:15 is a foundational text for understanding the Old Testament concept of substitutionary atonement and corporate responsibility. It teaches unequivocally that sin, even when unintentional, incurs guilt and necessitates a costly, divinely appointed remedy. The ritual of the elders laying hands on the bullock and its subsequent killing vividly illustrates that sin's penalty is death, and that God, in His boundless grace, provides an innocent substitute to bear that penalty on behalf of the guilty. This profound principle highlights both God's unyielding holiness, which cannot tolerate sin in His presence, and His immeasurable mercy, which provides a way for reconciliation and purification. The involvement of the elders underscores the reality of corporate sin and the imperative for communal purification, reminding us that sin often has far-reaching ripple effects beyond the individual transgressor. The entire process, though temporary and repetitive, powerfully points forward to a greater, ultimate, and perfect sacrifice.

* [Isaiah 53:6](/isaiah/53-6 "Isaiah 53:6 - All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray")
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without Shedding of Blood There Is No Remission")
* [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the Old Testament sacrificial system is no longer practiced by believers today, understanding Leviticus 4:15 profoundly deepens our appreciation for the seriousness with which God views sin and the boundless grace He extends. This ancient ritual vividly portrays the principle that sin creates a breach in our relationship with a holy God, demanding a costly and divinely ordained resolution. It serves as a stark reminder that our sin, whether individual or corporate, is never trivial but carries real consequences that necessitate divine intervention for reconciliation. The substitutionary nature of the bullock's sacrifice points us directly to the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who became our perfect substitute, bearing our sins on the cross. Reflecting on this verse should cultivate a deeper reverence for God's unblemished holiness, an overwhelming gratitude for His gracious provision for forgiveness through Christ, and a renewed commitment to living in light of the complete and finished atonement accomplished by our Savior. It encourages us to humbly acknowledge our own sinfulness, to trust fully and exclusively in Christ's finished work, and to live in the freedom, purity, and reconciled relationship that His sacrifice provides.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the detailed and solemn nature of this ritual in Leviticus 4:15 underscore the seriousness with which God views sin, even unintentional sin, and its impact on the community?**
* **In what ways does the concept of "corporate responsibility" highlighted by the elders' role challenge our often individualistic understanding of sin and its broader impact on families, churches, and societies today?**
* **How does understanding the symbolic transfer of sin onto the bullock deepen your appreciation for the profound truth that Jesus "became sin for us" and bore our judgment?**

### FAQ
**Why did the elders, and not every individual in the congregation, lay their hands on the bullock?**

Answer: The elders, as the recognized leaders and representatives of the congregation, acted on behalf of the entire community. This highlights the deeply ingrained principle of corporate representation in ancient Israelite society. Just as the high priest represented the entire nation before God, the elders represented the congregation in this specific ritual. This practice underscored the collective nature of the sin and the communal responsibility for seeking atonement, making the ritual manageable and orderly while still powerfully conveying the identification of the entire people with the sacrifice. It was an act of unity and shared accountability performed before [the LORD](/leviticus/4-15 "Leviticus 4:15 - The Congregation's Sin Offering").

**What is the significance of the bullock being killed "before the LORD"?**

Answer: The phrase "before the LORD" (Hebrew: *liphnê YHWH*) signifies that the entire ritual, including the killing of the animal, was performed in the sacred space of the Tabernacle (or later, the Temple), where God's presence was uniquely manifested. This emphasis underscores several key theological points:
* **Divine Witness:** The act was performed under God's direct observation, underscoring its profound solemnity and divine authorization. It was not a casual act but a sacred encounter.
* **Sacredness:** It transforms the act of killing from a mundane or violent act into a holy, ritualistic one, an integral part of God's prescribed means of atonement.
* **Efficacy:** It ensures that the sacrifice is acceptable to God and truly effective in achieving atonement, as it is done precisely according to His will and in His holy presence.
The powerful repetition of this phrase in [Leviticus 4:15](/leviticus/4-15 "Leviticus 4:15 - The Congregation's Sin Offering") underscores the profound spiritual significance of the entire process, reminding all participants that they were engaging directly with the holy God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 4:15, with its vivid depiction of a substitutionary sacrifice for communal sin, finds its ultimate, perfect, and eternal fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The innocent bullock, bearing the transferred guilt of the congregation, serves as a powerful "type" or foreshadowing of [the Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") who perfectly takes away the sin of the world. Just as the elders laid hands on the bullock to signify the transfer of corporate sin, so too were the sins of humanity—both individual and corporate—laid upon Jesus. The prophet Isaiah foretold this profound truth, stating that "[the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all](/isaiah/53-6 "Isaiah 53:6 - The Lord Laid Our Iniquity on Him")". Jesus, the perfect and blemishless Son of God, became the ultimate *chatta'th* offering, not for His own sin (for He knew none), but for ours, as [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us") powerfully declares, "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." His sacrificial death on the cross, performed "before the LORD" in the sense of fulfilling God's eternal redemptive plan, was the once-for-all sacrifice that perfectly atoned for all sin, rendering all animal sacrifices obsolete. The shedding of His precious blood, unlike the blood of bulls and goats, truly cleanses and purges our consciences, offering eternal redemption and direct access to God's holy presence ([Hebrews 9:12-14](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12-14 - Christ's Blood Purifies")). Through Christ, the foundational principles of identification, substitution, and atonement found in [Leviticus 4:15](/leviticus/4-15 "Leviticus 4:15 - The Congregation's Sin Offering") are perfectly and eternally satisfied, offering complete forgiveness, purification, and reconciliation to all who believe.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 1:4

And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.

Deuteronomy 21:3

And it shall be, [that] the city [which is] next unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take an heifer, which hath not been wrought with, [and] which hath not drawn in the yoke;

Deuteronomy 21:9

So shalt thou put away the [guilt of] innocent blood from among you, when thou shalt do [that which is] right in the sight of the LORD.

Exodus 24:1

¶ And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off.

Numbers 11:25

And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that [was] upon him, and gave [it] unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, [that], when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.

Exodus 24:9

¶ Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel:

Leviticus 16:21

And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send [him] away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: