Leviticus 4:24

KJV

And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the goat, and kill it in the place where they kill the burnt offering before the LORD: it [is] a sin offering.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he shall lay {H5564} his hand {H3027} upon the head {H7218} of the goat {H8163}, and kill {H7819} it in the place {H4725} where they kill {H7819} the burnt offering {H5930} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}: it is a sin offering {H2403}.

Complete Jewish Bible

lay his hand on the goat's head and slaughter it in the place where they slaughter the burnt offering in the presence of ADONAI ; it is a sin offering.

Berean Standard Bible

He is to lay his hand on the head of the goat and slaughter it at the place where the burnt offering is slaughtered before the LORD. It is a sin offering.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 4:24 meticulously details a crucial step within the ritual for the sin offering, specifically for an individual who has unintentionally sinned. This verse underscores the profound theological principles of identification and substitutionary atonement, as the offerer symbolically transfers their guilt onto an innocent animal, which is then sacrificed in a divinely appointed sacred space, thereby providing a means of reconciliation with a holy God under the Old Covenant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 4 provides a comprehensive set of instructions for the *chatta'th*, or sin offering, which was distinct from other sacrifices like the burnt offering or peace offering. This chapter meticulously outlines the specific procedures for various categories of unintentional sin: for the anointed priest (Leviticus 4:1-12), for the whole congregation (Leviticus 4:13-21), for a ruler (Leviticus 4:22-26), and for a common person (Leviticus 4:27-35). Leviticus 4:24 falls within the section concerning the sin offering for a ruler (Leviticus 4:22-26) or a common person (Leviticus 4:27-35), both of whom bring a goat as their offering. The verse describes the critical moment where the offerer actively participates in the atonement process by identifying with the sacrificial animal, immediately preceding the priest's handling of the blood and other parts of the offering, which are detailed in subsequent verses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the sacrificial system was central to their covenant relationship with Yahweh, a holy God who dwelt among His people in the Tabernacle. Sin, even when unintentional or committed in ignorance, created a defilement that disrupted this relationship and required specific, divinely ordained means of purification and atonement. The sin offering addressed this need, providing a way for individuals and the community to be cleansed from ritual impurity and restored to fellowship. The act of sacrifice was not merely a human invention but a divine provision, emphasizing God's mercy and His initiative in providing a way for sinful humanity to approach Him. The precision of the rituals, including the specific location for slaughtering the animal "before the LORD," highlighted the sanctity of the act and the seriousness with which God viewed both sin and the means of its expiation, as detailed throughout [the sacrificial laws in Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Burnt Offering").
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the theme of **God's Holiness and the Seriousness of Sin**. Even unintentional sins are shown to have consequences that require divine intervention and atonement. Another crucial theme is **Substitutionary Atonement**, where an innocent life is offered in place of the guilty, bearing the penalty of sin. This is vividly portrayed through the transfer of guilt onto the animal. The passage also highlights **Divine Provision and Grace**, demonstrating God's initiative in establishing a system by which sinful humanity can be reconciled to Him. Finally, the meticulous instructions underscore the theme of **Ritual Purity and Cleansing**, essential for maintaining the covenant relationship and the sanctity of the Tabernacle, as seen in various purification rites throughout [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Burnt Offering").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **lay (Hebrew, _çâmak'_):** This primitive root means "to prop," "to lean upon," or "to support." In the context of sacrifice, it denotes a firm, intentional act of placing weight or pressure. This signifies a profound act of identification and transfer, where the offerer symbolically leans their sin, guilt, and the associated penalty onto the innocent animal. It is an active participation in the atonement process, acknowledging sin and the animal's role as proxy.
* **hand (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** This word refers to the open hand, distinguishing it from the closed fist. It is used in a vast array of applications, both literal and figurative, often denoting power, means, or agency. In this ritual, the laying on of the "hand" symbolizes the personal involvement and authority of the offerer in transferring their spiritual burden. It is the physical instrument through which identification and symbolic imputation occur.
* **sin offering (Hebrew, _chaṭṭâʼâh'_):** More accurately translated as "purification offering," this term derives from the root meaning "to miss the mark" or "to sin." It refers not only to the sacrificial animal itself but also to the concept of "sin," its "penalty," and the means of "expiation" or "purification." The *chatta'th* specifically addressed sins that incurred ritual impurity or defiled the sanctuary, providing a divinely ordained means of cleansing and restoring the offerer to a state of ritual purity and fellowship with God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the goat":** This clause describes the crucial symbolic action performed by the offerer. The "he" refers to the individual (ruler or common person) who has committed the unintentional sin. By placing his hand firmly upon the goat's head, the offerer publicly acknowledges his guilt and symbolically transfers his sin, guilt, and the associated penalty onto the innocent animal. This act establishes a profound connection between the sinner and the sacrifice, signifying that the animal is taking the place of the offerer, bearing the weight of their transgression.
* **"and kill it in the place where they kill the burnt offering before the LORD":** This instruction emphasizes the precise and sacred nature of the sacrificial act. The designated location for slaughtering the burnt offering was the north side of the altar in the Tabernacle/Temple courtyard, as specified in [Leviticus 1:11](/leviticus/1-11 "Leviticus 1:11 - Location for Burnt Offerings"). This specificity ensured that the sacrifice was performed according to divine command, maintaining the sanctity of the ritual and the holiness of the Lord, before whom the offering was presented. The act of killing the animal underscores the gravity of sin, which demands a life as payment, signifying the death that the sinner deserved.
* **"it [is] a sin offering":** This concluding declaration identifies the purpose and nature of the sacrifice. It confirms that the goat, through this specific ritual, serves as a *chatta'th*, a purification offering designed to atone for unintentional sin and cleanse the offerer from ritual impurity. This statement highlights God's gracious provision for dealing with sin, even those committed unknowingly, and His desire to maintain a relationship with His people by providing a means for their defilement to be removed.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 4:24 employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Symbolism** is paramount, particularly in the act of "laying his hand upon the head of the goat," which powerfully symbolizes the transfer of guilt and the identification of the sinner with the innocent substitute. The goat itself functions as a **symbol** of substitutionary atonement, bearing the consequences of another's sin. The detailed instructions for the ritual, including the specific location for the killing, exemplify **Ritual/Ceremony** as a literary and theological device, emphasizing the precision, sacredness, and divine ordination of the sacrificial system. The stark reality of the animal's death in a holy place underscores the gravity of sin and the cost of atonement. Furthermore, the entire sin offering ritual, as described here, functions as **Foreshadowing**, pointing forward to the ultimate, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who would truly bear the sins of the world.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 4:24 profoundly illustrates the Old Testament understanding of sin, atonement, and God's holiness. It reveals that sin, even unintentional, creates a breach in the relationship with a holy God and demands a penalty. The ritual of the sin offering, with its emphasis on identification and substitution, demonstrates God's gracious provision for reconciliation. It teaches that life must be given for life, and that without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin. This foundational principle prepares the way for a deeper understanding of the New Covenant's fulfillment in Christ, establishing a necessary theological framework for the perfect sacrifice yet to come.

* [Leviticus 16:21-22](/leviticus/16-21-22 "Leviticus 16:21-22 - The Scapegoat on the Day of Atonement")
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Necessity of Blood for Forgiveness")
* [Isaiah 53:6](/isaiah/53-6 "Isaiah 53:6 - All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the Old Covenant sin offerings are no longer required for believers today, Leviticus 4:24 offers profound spiritual lessons that resonate deeply with the Christian faith. It serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness of sin, even those we commit unknowingly or unintentionally, in the eyes of a holy God. Every transgression, no matter how small, disrupts our fellowship with Him and requires divine intervention. This verse, therefore, deepens our appreciation for the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who became our sin offering, bearing the full weight of our sins on the cross. His once-for-all sacrifice has completely satisfied God's righteous demands, providing a perfect and permanent atonement that the Old Testament rituals could only foreshadow. For believers, the "laying on of hands" finds its spiritual parallel in our confession of sin and our faith in Christ's completed work. We acknowledge our failures, and by trusting in His shed blood, we receive forgiveness, cleansing, and restoration to full communion with God. This passage invites us to live in humble gratitude for such a magnificent and costly salvation, spurring us to greater holiness and devotion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the detailed requirements of the sin offering in Leviticus deepen your appreciation for the simplicity and completeness of Christ's sacrifice?**
* **In what ways does the concept of "identification" with the sacrifice, as seen in the laying on of hands, resonate with our identification with Christ's death and resurrection?**
* **What does Leviticus 4:24 teach us about the nature of God's holiness and His provision for dealing with sin, even unintentional sin?**

### FAQ
**What kind of sins did the sin offering cover?**

Answer: The sin offering (*chatta'th*) primarily covered unintentional sins, sins committed in ignorance, or sins that resulted in ritual impurity. These were not acts of defiant rebellion or "high-handed" sins, which carried a different, often more severe, consequence, as described in [Numbers 15:30-31](/numbers/15-30-31 "Numbers 15:30-31 - Presumptuous Sins"). The offering provided a means for the offerer to be cleansed from the defilement caused by these unintended transgressions and to be restored to a right relationship with God and the community.

**Why was the goat killed "in the place where they kill the burnt offering"?**

Answer: This instruction emphasizes the sacredness and prescribed order of the sacrificial rituals. The "place where they kill the burnt offering" refers to the north side of the altar in the Tabernacle (and later, the Temple) courtyard, as specified in [Leviticus 1:11](/leviticus/1-11 "Leviticus 1:11 - Location for Burnt Offerings"). By specifying this exact location, God ensured that the sacrifice was performed according to His divine will, maintaining the sanctity of the act and the holiness of the space dedicated to Him. It underscored that the sin offering, like the burnt offering, was a solemn act of worship and atonement performed in God's presence.

**What is the significance of "laying the hand upon the head of the goat"?**

Answer: This act was a crucial symbolic gesture. By placing his hand firmly on the head of the innocent goat, the offerer publicly identified with the animal and, more importantly, symbolically transferred his sin and guilt onto it. It signified that the animal was taking the place of the sinner, becoming the substitute that would bear the penalty for the offerer's transgression. This physical act made the offerer an active participant in the atonement process, acknowledging their sin and the animal's role as their proxy, thereby illustrating the principle of substitutionary atonement.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 4:24, with its vivid depiction of identification and substitution in the sin offering, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The innocent goat, upon whose head the sinner's hand was laid, powerfully foreshadows the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Just as the goat bore the symbolic weight of the offerer's sin, Christ, in His perfect humanity, became sin for us, though He knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). His sacrifice on the cross was not merely a symbolic transfer but a complete and final bearing of the penalty for all humanity's intentional and unintentional sins. Unlike the temporary and repeated sacrifices of the Old Covenant, Christ's single, perfect offering, made "before the LORD" on Calvary, fully satisfied God's righteous demands for sin, securing eternal redemption ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). His work rendered all animal sacrifices obsolete, for He is the once-for-all atonement, perfecting forever those who are being sanctified ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10-14 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")).

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 1:11

And he shall kill it on the side of the altar northward before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall sprinkle his blood round about upon the altar.

Leviticus 7:2

In the place where they kill the burnt offering shall they kill the trespass offering: and the blood thereof shall he sprinkle round about upon the altar.

Leviticus 3:13

And he shall lay his hand upon the head of it, and kill it before the tabernacle of the congregation: and the sons of Aaron shall sprinkle the blood thereof upon the altar round about.

Exodus 29:38

¶ Now this [is that] which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually.

Leviticus 1:5

And he shall kill the bullock before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that [is by] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Leviticus 6:25

Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, saying, This [is] the law of the sin offering: In the place where the burnt offering is killed shall the sin offering be killed before the LORD: it [is] most holy.

Leviticus 4:3

If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering.