Leviticus 4:21

And he shall carry forth the bullock without the camp, and burn him as he burned the first bullock: it [is] a sin offering for the congregation.

And he shall carry forth {H3318} the bullock {H6499} without {H2351} the camp {H4264}, and burn {H8313} him as he burned {H8313} the first {H7223} bullock {H6499}: it is a sin offering {H2403} for the congregation {H6951}.

He is to bring the bull outside the camp and burn it as he burned the first bull; it is the sin offering for the assembly.

Then he is to take the bull outside the camp and burn it, just as he burned the first bull. It is the sin offering for the assembly.

And he shall carry forth the bullock without the camp, and burn it as he burned the first bullock: it is the sin-offering for the assembly.

Commentary

Context

Leviticus 4:21 is part of a detailed section (Leviticus 4:1-35) outlining the regulations for the "sin offering" (chatta'th in Hebrew), a crucial sacrifice in ancient Israelite worship. This specific verse describes the procedure for a sin offering made on behalf of the entire congregation, typically when the community as a whole committed a sin of ignorance against one of God's commandments. The ritual for the congregational sin offering closely mirrored that for the High Priest's personal sin, underscoring the gravity of collective sin and the need for thorough atonement.

Key Themes

  • Atonement for Corporate Sin: This verse highlights God's provision for dealing with the collective sins of the community. It emphasizes that even unintentional transgressions by the congregation required a significant act of atonement to maintain their holy relationship with God.
  • Purity and Separation: The command to "carry forth the bullock without the camp" signifies the removal of sin's defilement from the holy community. Sin, even when atoned for, was considered polluting and had to be completely expelled from the midst of God's people. This act underscored the importance of Israel's ritual purity as a nation set apart.
  • Substitutionary Sacrifice: The bullock acted as a substitute, bearing the sin of the congregation. Its death and subsequent burning outside the camp represented the full judgment against sin and its complete removal. This Old Testament practice profoundly foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.
  • Severity of Sin: The costly nature of the bullock and the elaborate ritual demonstrate that sin, regardless of its intention (ignorance vs. presumption), is a serious offense against a holy God and demands a life to atone for it.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word for "sin offering" is Χ—Φ·Χ˜ΦΈΦΌΧΧͺ (chatta'th), which can mean both "sin" and "sin offering." This dual meaning powerfully conveys that the offering itself was treated as sin, absorbing the defilement and judgment due to the transgression. The bullock became sin on behalf of the people, a concept echoed in the New Testament concerning Christ.

Practical Application

Leviticus 4:21 offers enduring lessons for believers today:

  • Corporate Responsibility: It reminds us that communities and nations can collectively sin, and there is a need for collective repentance and seeking God's forgiveness.
  • The Nature of Sin: Even sins committed in ignorance or unintentionally carry consequences and require atonement. This deepens our appreciation for God's grace and provision.
  • Christ's Fulfillment: The most profound application is seen in Jesus Christ. The author of Hebrews explicitly connects this Old Testament ritual to Christ, stating that Jesus "suffered without the gate" to sanctify His people with His own blood (Hebrews 13:11-12). Just as the sin offering was taken "without the camp" to cleanse the community, so Christ bore our sins outside the holy city, becoming the ultimate and perfect sacrifice for all sin.
  • Holiness and Separation: We are called to live lives separated from the defilement of the world, just as sin was expelled from the camp. We are to pursue holiness as God is holy.
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Cross-References

  • Leviticus 16:15

    ΒΆ Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that [is] for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat:

  • 1 Timothy 2:5

    For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

  • 1 Timothy 2:6

    Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

  • Matthew 20:28

    Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

  • Ezra 8:35

    [Also] the children of those that had been carried away, which were come out of the captivity, offered burnt offerings unto the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he goats [for] a sin offering: all [this was] a burnt offering unto the LORD.

  • 2 Chronicles 29:21

    And they brought seven bullocks, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and seven he goats, for a sin offering for the kingdom, and for the sanctuary, and for Judah. And he commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer [them] on the altar of the LORD.

  • 2 Chronicles 29:24

    And the priests killed them, and they made reconciliation with their blood upon the altar, to make an atonement for all Israel: for the king commanded [that] the burnt offering and the sin offering [should be made] for all Israel.
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