Leviticus 4:29

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

lay his hand on the head of the sin offering and slaughter the sin offering in the place of burnt offerings.

Berean Standard Bible

He is to lay his hand on the head of the sin offering and slaughter it at the place of the burnt offering.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 4:29 details a pivotal moment in the Israelite sin offering ritual, specifically outlining the actions of the individual bringing an offering for an unintentional sin. This verse emphasizes the critical acts of identification and substitution, where the offerer symbolically transfers their guilt onto the sacrificial animal by laying hands on its head, followed by the slaying of the animal in the designated holy space. It underscores the divine requirement for atonement through the shedding of blood to address defilement caused by sin and restore covenant fellowship with a holy God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 4 initiates a detailed exposition of the *chatta't* (sin offering), distinguishing it from the *olah* (burnt offering) and *shelamim* (peace offering) previously described in chapters 1-3. This chapter systematically outlines the procedures for sin offerings based on the status of the offender: the anointed priest (Leviticus 4:3-12), the whole congregation (Leviticus 4:13-21), a ruler (Leviticus 4:22-26), and a common individual (Leviticus 4:27-35). Leviticus 4:29 specifically falls within the instructions for a common person's sin offering, following the description of the type of animal required (a female goat or lamb) and preceding the instructions for the handling of the blood and the fat, and the burning of the remaining parts outside the camp. The meticulous detail across these sections highlights the gravity of sin and the precise nature of God's provision for dealing with it.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the sacrificial system was the divinely ordained means for maintaining the covenant relationship between God and His people. Sin, even unintentional, created defilement and separation from God's holiness, necessitating a ritual process for purification and reconciliation. The concept of substitutionary atonement was foundational, where an innocent life was offered in place of the guilty. This practice was not unique to Israel in the ancient Near East, but its purpose, precise rituals, and theological underpinnings—rooted in the character of Yahweh and His covenant—were distinct. The Tabernacle, and later the Temple, served as the central place of worship where these rituals were performed, emphasizing God's presence among His people and the sacredness of the space. The specific instruction to slay the offering "in the place of the burnt offering" (as mentioned in [Leviticus 1:3](/leviticus/1-3 "Leviticus 1:3 - Burnt Offering Procedure")) reinforced the established order and sanctity of the sacrificial altar, which was the primary site for blood-shedding sacrifices.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lay his hand (Hebrew, _samak yado'_):** This phrase, derived from the verb *samak* (סָמַךְ), means "to lean upon," "to rest upon," or "to support." In the context of sacrifice, it denotes a firm, deliberate action, signifying identification and transfer. The offerer was not merely touching the animal, but actively "leaning" or "pressing" their weight onto its head. This physical act symbolized the symbolic transfer of the offerer's sin, guilt, and the consequences thereof onto the innocent animal, establishing a profound connection between the sinner and the substitute.
* **Sin offering (Hebrew, _chatta't'_):** The Hebrew term *chatta't* (חַטָּאת) primarily means "sin" or "offense," but in the context of the sacrificial system, it refers to the specific sacrifice designed to deal with sin. Unlike the burnt offering which focused on general atonement and devotion, the *chatta't* specifically addressed ritual impurity and unintentional sins, aiming to cleanse and purify the individual or community, restoring them to a state of ritual cleanness and fellowship with God. It was an offering for purification and expiation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the sin offering":** This clause describes the crucial act of identification. The offerer, representing the individual or community for whom the atonement is being made, places their hand firmly on the animal's head. This is not a casual touch but a solemn, intentional gesture that symbolizes the transfer of the offerer's sin and guilt onto the innocent animal. It signifies that the animal is now standing in the offerer's place, bearing the weight of their transgression. This act is central to the concept of substitutionary atonement, where the animal becomes the representative bearer of the sin.
* **"and slay the sin offering in the place of the burnt offering":** This clause specifies the execution of the sacrifice and its designated location. The slaying of the animal signifies the penalty for sin—death. The shedding of blood was essential, as "the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement by reason of the life" ([Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Sanctity of Blood for Atonement")). The specific location, "the place of the burnt offering," refers to the north side of the altar of burnt offering in the Tabernacle courtyard (as detailed in [Leviticus 1:11](/leviticus/1-11 "Leviticus 1:11 - Slaying the Burnt Offering")). This instruction ensures that the sacrifice is performed according to divine command, maintaining the sanctity and order of the worship space, and associating the sin offering with the general principle of atonement established by the burnt offering.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 4:29 employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological meaning. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the act of "laying his hand upon the head" symbolizing the transfer of guilt and the identification of the sinner with the sacrifice. The animal itself is a **symbol** of an innocent substitute. The "slaying of the sin offering" is a powerful **symbol** of the consequence of sin (death) and the necessity of a life given in atonement. The "place of the burnt offering" is also **symbolic**, connecting the specific sin offering ritual to the broader, foundational principles of atonement and worship at the central altar. The text uses **Ritual Language**, characterized by precise, prescriptive instructions that leave no room for ambiguity, emphasizing the divine origin and non-negotiable nature of the commands. There is also an element of **Repetition** throughout Leviticus 4, as similar phrases and actions are reiterated for different categories of offenders, reinforcing the consistent principles underlying all sin offerings.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 4:29 is rich with theological significance, primarily underscoring God's absolute holiness, the gravity of sin (even unintentional), and His merciful provision for atonement. The ritual of identification and substitution vividly illustrates that sin demands a penalty, and that God, in His grace, provided a way for that penalty to be borne by an innocent substitute. This act of "laying on of hands" and the subsequent slaying of the animal established a foundational understanding of vicarious suffering and the necessity of blood for the remission of sins, themes that resonate throughout the biblical narrative and find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ. The meticulous nature of the ritual also highlights the importance of approaching a holy God on His terms, through the prescribed means.

* [Exodus 29:10](/exodus/29-10 "Exodus 29:10 - Consecration of Priests")
* [Leviticus 16:21](/leviticus/16-21 "Leviticus 16:21 - The Scapegoat and Atonement")
* [Isaiah 53:6](/isaiah/53-6 "Isaiah 53:6 - All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 4:29, though detailing an ancient ritual, offers profound spiritual insights for contemporary believers. It powerfully reminds us of the profound seriousness with which God views sin, even those transgressions we commit unknowingly or unintentionally. The elaborate process of identifying with the sacrifice and witnessing its death should evoke a deep sense of the cost of sin and the immense grace required for its atonement. We are called to reflect on the nature of our own sin, recognizing that any deviation from God's perfect standard creates a barrier. The Old Testament sacrificial system, with its emphasis on substitution and the shedding of blood, serves as a magnificent pedagogical tool, preparing God's people for the ultimate, perfect, and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Our response should be one of profound gratitude for the complete and eternal redemption secured by Christ, which frees us from the burden of sin and allows us to live in reconciled fellowship with God. This understanding should lead us to a life of humility, repentance, and worship, acknowledging that our salvation is entirely by God's merciful provision, not by our own works.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the detailed procedure of the sin offering in Leviticus 4:29 deepen your understanding of the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin?**
* **In what ways does the act of "laying hands" on the sin offering help you appreciate the concept of identification with Christ in His atoning work?**
* **How does understanding the necessity of the animal's death for atonement inform your gratitude for Jesus' sacrifice on the cross?**
* **Considering that unintentional sins also required atonement, what does this teach us about the pervasive nature of sin and the constant need for God's grace in our lives?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the offerer laying their hand on the head of the sin offering?**

Answer: The act of laying one's hand (Hebrew: *samak yado*) on the head of the sin offering was a deeply symbolic and crucial part of the ritual. It represented the offerer's identification with the animal and the symbolic transfer of their sin and guilt onto the innocent sacrifice. By this physical gesture, the offerer acknowledged their transgression and symbolically imputed their sin to the animal, making it their substitute. This prepared the animal to bear the consequences of the offerer's sin, which was death, thus facilitating atonement. This concept of identification and substitution is a foundational principle that foreshadows Christ's ultimate identification with humanity's sin, as seen in passages like [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Made Sin for Us").

**Why was the sin offering slain "in the place of the burnt offering"?**

Answer: The instruction to slay the sin offering "in the place of the burnt offering" refers to the north side of the altar of burnt offering in the Tabernacle courtyard (see [Leviticus 1:11](/leviticus/1-11 "Leviticus 1:11 - Slaying of the Burnt Offering")). This specific location was designated for the slaughter of most animal sacrifices. The reason for this instruction was twofold: first, it maintained the sacred order and reverence within the Tabernacle, ensuring that all blood-shedding sacrifices were performed at the central place of atonement. Second, it linked the sin offering to the general principle of atonement established by the burnt offering. While the burnt offering was for general atonement and devotion, placing the sin offering's slaughter in the same location emphasized that both were vital components of God's sacrificial system for dealing with sin and restoring fellowship.

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

Answer: The sin offering (*chatta't*) primarily covered unintentional sins, or sins committed "unwittingly" or "through ignorance" (e.g., [Leviticus 4:2](/leviticus/4-2 "Leviticus 4:2 - Unintentional Sins")). These were not sins committed with a "high hand" or in deliberate rebellion against God (which often carried the penalty of being "cut off" from the community, as described in [Numbers 15:30-31](/numbers/15-30 "Numbers 15:30-31 - Presumptuous Sins")). Instead, the *chatta't* addressed sins committed due to ignorance, oversight, or weakness, which nonetheless defiled the individual or the community and broke ritual purity. Examples include touching an unclean thing, failing to declare knowledge of a sin, or breaking a rash oath. The sin offering provided a means for purification and restoration of covenant fellowship for these types of transgressions.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 4:29, with its vivid depiction of identification and substitution, serves as a profound Old Testament prefigurement of the ultimate work of Jesus Christ. The act of the offerer laying hands on the animal's head symbolically transferring sin finds its glorious fulfillment in Christ, who, though sinless, willingly identified with humanity's sin, becoming "sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). Just as the innocent animal was slain as a substitute, so too was Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, "led like a lamb to the slaughter" ([Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant")) and "takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His death on the cross, outside the city gate, was the ultimate "sin offering" ([Hebrews 13:11-12](/hebrews/13-11 "Hebrews 13:11-12 - Jesus Suffered Outside the Gate")), fulfilling all the types and shadows of the Levitical system. The shedding of His blood, unlike the repeated animal sacrifices, was a once-for-all, perfect, and eternal atonement, securing "eternal redemption" ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Blood and Eternal Redemption")) for all who believe, making the Old Testament rituals obsolete because the reality has come.

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.