Leviticus 4:25

And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, and put [it] upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and shall pour out his blood at the bottom of the altar of burnt offering.

And the priest {H3548} shall take {H3947} of the blood {H1818} of the sin offering {H2403} with his finger {H676}, and put {H5414} it upon the horns {H7161} of the altar {H4196} of burnt offering {H5930}, and shall pour out {H8210} his blood {H1818} at the bottom {H3247} of the altar {H4196} of burnt offering {H5930}.

The cohen is to take some of the blood of the sin offering with his finger and put it on the horns of the altar for burnt offerings. Its remaining blood he is to pour out at the base of the altar for burnt offerings.

Then the priest is to take some of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar.

And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin-offering with his finger, and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt-offering; and the blood thereof shall he pour out at the base of the altar of burnt-offering.

Commentary

Context of Leviticus 4:25

Leviticus Chapter 4 details the regulations for the sin offering (chatta'ah in Hebrew), a crucial part of Israel's sacrificial system under the Mosaic Law. This particular verse describes a specific action performed by the priest after an individual (or the community, depending on the offering type) has unintentionally sinned. The ritual emphasizes the seriousness of sin and the necessity of atonement. The altar of burnt offering was a central fixture in the tabernacle courtyard, signifying God's presence and the means of approach to Him.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Atonement through Blood: The primary message is that sin requires a life to be given in substitution. The application of blood to the horns of the altar signifies that the atonement reaches the very place of sacrifice and prayer, sanctifying it from the defilement of sin. The pouring out of the remaining blood at the base confirms the complete surrender of the animal's life. This act symbolically cleansed the sinner and the altar from the impurity of the transgression.
  • Priestly Mediation: The priest acts as the mediator between God and the people, performing the precise rituals necessary for reconciliation. His careful handling of the blood underscores the sanctity of the offering and the solemnity of the act of forgiveness.
  • Holiness and Purity: The detailed instructions highlight God's absolute holiness and the importance of maintaining ritual purity within the Israelite community. Even unintentional sins required specific purification to restore fellowship with God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "sin offering" is chatta'ah (ื—ึทื˜ึธึผืึธื”), which literally means "sin" or "purification from sin." This dual meaning reveals that the offering was not just a response to sin but also a means by which sin was dealt with and the offerer was purified. The "horns of the altar" (ืงึทืจึฐื ึนืช ื”ึทืžึดึผื–ึฐื‘ึตึผื—ึท) were prominent projections, often seen as symbols of power or strength, indicating that the atonement covered the entire sacrificial system.

Related Scriptures

While this Old Testament ritual seems far removed from modern life, it profoundly foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The shedding of blood in Leviticus 4:25 points forward to the shedding of Christ's blood on the cross, which is the perfect and final sin offering. Unlike the repeated animal sacrifices, Christ's sacrifice was "once for all" (Hebrews 10:10). We no longer bring animals to an altar; instead, we look to Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Reflection and Modern Significance

Leviticus 4:25 reminds us of the unchanging truth that sin is serious and requires atonement. It underscores the divine principle that "the life of the flesh is in the blood" and that it is the blood that "maketh an atonement for the soul" (Leviticus 17:11). For believers today, this verse deepens our appreciation for the complete and sufficient sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled all the requirements of the Law, offering propitiation for our sins and granting us direct access to God through His blood.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 4:18

    And he shall put [some] of the blood upon the horns of the altar which [is] before the LORD, that [is] in the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall pour out all the blood at the bottom of the altar of the burnt offering, which [is at] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

  • Leviticus 4:7

    And the priest shall put [some] of the blood upon the horns of the altar of sweet incense before the LORD, which [is] in the tabernacle of the congregation; and shall pour all the blood of the bullock at the bottom of the altar of the burnt offering, which [is at] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

  • Leviticus 4:34

    And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, and put [it] upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and shall pour out all the blood thereof at the bottom of the altar:

  • Leviticus 4:30

    And the priest shall take of the blood thereof with his finger, and put [it] upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and shall pour out all the blood thereof at the bottom of the altar.

  • Leviticus 9:9

    And the sons of Aaron brought the blood unto him: and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put [it] upon the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the bottom of the altar:

  • Leviticus 16:18

    And he shall go out unto the altar that [is] before the LORD, and make an atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put [it] upon the horns of the altar round about.

  • Leviticus 8:15

    And he slew [it]; and Moses took the blood, and put [it] upon the horns of the altar round about with his finger, and purified the altar, and poured the blood at the bottom of the altar, and sanctified it, to make reconciliation upon it.
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