Leviticus 4:3

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

If the priest {H3548} that is anointed {H4899} do sin {H2398} according to the sin {H819} of the people {H5971}; then let him bring {H7126} for his sin {H2403}, which he hath sinned {H2398}, a young {H1241}{H1121} bullock {H6499} without blemish {H8549} unto the LORD {H3068} for a sin offering {H2403}.

Complete Jewish Bible

then, if it is the anointed cohen who sinned and thus brought guilt on the people, he is to offer ADONAI a young bull without defect as a sin offering for the sin he committed.

Berean Standard Bible

If the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, he must bring to the LORD a young bull without blemish as a sin offering for the sin he has committed.

American Standard Version

if the anointed priest shall sin so as to bring guilt on the people, then let him offer for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto Jehovah for a sin-offering.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 4:3 delineates the specific protocol for atonement when the anointed priest, the High Priest, commits an unintentional sin. This verse underscores the profound responsibility and accountability inherent in his sacred office, demanding the most costly and perfect sacrifice—a young bullock without blemish—to cleanse himself and, by extension, the community he represents, from the defilement caused by his transgression.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 4 opens a crucial section (chapters 4-5) detailing the *chatta't* (sin offering) and *asham* (guilt offering), which address unintentional sins or sins committed in ignorance. These offerings were distinct from sacrifices for intentional, high-handed sins, which often carried the penalty of being "cut off" from the community. Chapter 4 systematically outlines the required sin offerings based on the identity of the transgressor: first, the anointed priest (vv. 3-12), then the whole congregation (vv. 13-21), followed by a ruler (vv. 22-26), and finally, a common person (vv. 27-35). The progression of offerings, from the most expensive (a bull for the priest or congregation) to less costly animals (a male goat for a ruler, a female goat or lamb for a common person), highlights a graded system of accountability, with the High Priest's sin carrying the most significant weight due to his unique role as mediator and representative of the entire nation before God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Israelite sacrificial system was central to their covenant relationship with Yahweh, emphasizing His absolute holiness and the need for purity in His presence. The High Priest, uniquely designated by God and consecrated through anointing with sacred oil (as detailed in [Exodus 29:7](/exodus/29-7 "Exodus 29:7 - Anointing of Aaron") and [Leviticus 8:12](/leviticus/8-12 "Leviticus 8:12 - Aaron's Consecration")), served as the spiritual head of the nation and the primary mediator between God and Israel. His role involved entering the Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement ([Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement")) and performing daily priestly duties. Given his proximity to God's holiness and his representative function, any sin committed by the High Priest was not merely a personal transgression but carried national implications, potentially defiling the sanctuary and disrupting the covenant relationship. The requirement for a costly, unblemished bullock underscored the gravity of his sin and the meticulous nature of God's demands for purity in worship.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Anointed priest (Hebrew, _kohen hamashiaḥ'_):** This specific phrase unequivocally refers to the High Priest, the chief spiritual leader of Israel. The term "anointed" (from the root *mashach*) signifies his consecration and setting apart for sacred service through the pouring of special anointing oil. This anointing not only symbolized divine appointment but also imparted a unique holiness and authority, making his actions, including his sins, profoundly impactful on the entire community and the sanctity of the tabernacle.
* **Sin (Hebrew, _chatta't'_):** While *chatta't* can refer to "sin" itself, in the context of Leviticus 4, it primarily denotes the "sin offering" or "purification offering." The root meaning of *chatta't* is "to miss the mark" or "to go astray." Here, it highlights that even unintentional deviations from God's holy standards require a specific ritual to cleanse and purify, emphasizing that sin, regardless of intent, defiles and creates a barrier between a holy God and His people. The offering is not merely an appeasement but a means of purification.
* **Without blemish (Hebrew, _tamim'_):** This term emphasizes the absolute perfection required of the sacrificial animal. *Tamim* signifies wholeness, completeness, and freedom from any physical defect or imperfection. This requirement was not arbitrary; it symbolized the purity and perfection demanded by God and foreshadowed the ultimate, perfect sacrifice necessary for true and complete atonement. The unblemished nature of the offering mirrored the unblemished character of the God to whom it was offered.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people;":** This clause establishes the subject of the offering: the High Priest. The phrase "according to the sin of the people" (or "so as to bring guilt on the people" in some translations) highlights the representative nature of the High Priest's office. His sin, even if unintentional, carries a public dimension and has the potential to bring guilt or defilement upon the entire community he serves, necessitating a public and significant act of purification.
* **"then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering.":** This clause prescribes the specific offering required. A "young bullock" was the most valuable and costly animal in the sacrificial system, indicating the extreme gravity of the High Priest's sin. The requirement that it be "without blemish" underscores the divine standard of perfection and purity for anything presented to the holy LORD. This offering, designated as a "sin offering" (*chatta't*), was designed to purify and atone for the defilement caused by the High Priest's transgression, restoring his ability to minister in the sanctuary and ensuring the continued purity of the covenant relationship.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 4:3 employs several significant literary devices. **Repetition** is evident in the phrase "for his sin, which he hath sinned," underscoring the personal responsibility of the High Priest for his transgression, even as its effects are communal. This repetition serves to emphasize the gravity and certainty of the sin and the need for its specific remedy. The verse also utilizes **Symbolism**, where the "young bullock without blemish" is not merely an animal but a powerful symbol of purity, value, and the perfect sacrifice required to address sin. This animal's perfection points to the absolute holiness of God and the unblemished nature of the atonement He demands. Furthermore, the entire sacrificial system, including this specific instruction, functions as **Typology**, foreshadowing a greater reality. The High Priest, acting as mediator, and the sin offering, providing temporary cleansing, both serve as types that point forward to the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, and His perfect, once-for-all sacrifice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 4:3 profoundly illustrates God's absolute holiness and the pervasive nature of sin, even unintentional sin, which demands a costly atonement. It reveals that no one, regardless of their spiritual authority or position, is exempt from God's righteous standards or the need for purification. The High Priest's sin, though personal, had communal ramifications, highlighting the interconnectedness of sin and its defiling impact on the entire covenant community. This meticulous instruction underscores God's meticulous care for purity in worship and His provision for reconciliation when His holy standards are violated, even inadvertently.

* [Hebrews 5:1-3](/hebrews/5-1 "Hebrews 5:1-3 - The High Priest's Need for Atonement")
* [Numbers 15:27-29](/numbers/15-27 "Numbers 15:27-29 - Unintentional Sins")
* [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 4:3, though rooted in an ancient sacrificial system, offers enduring principles for contemporary believers. It confronts us with the profound seriousness of sin, reminding us that even our unintentional transgressions are offensive to a holy God and require a divine remedy. For those in leadership, especially spiritual leadership, this verse serves as a sober warning: accountability increases with influence. The sins of leaders have far-reaching consequences, impacting those they serve and potentially hindering the spiritual health of the community. This calls for profound humility, constant self-examination, and a deep reliance on God's grace for purification. Ultimately, this passage directs our gaze to the perfect provision God has made for our sin, a provision that far surpasses the temporary cleansing of animal sacrifices. It compels us to consider the cost of our own redemption and to live lives that reflect the holiness of the One who paid that ultimate price.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the High Priest's need for a sin offering challenge my understanding of spiritual authority and accountability today?**
* **In what ways might my "unintentional" sins still have a defiling impact on my own life or on my community?**
* **What does the costly nature of the bullock reveal about God's standard of holiness and the gravity of sin?**

### FAQ
**Why was the High Priest's sin considered so serious, requiring such a costly offering?**

Answer: The High Priest occupied a unique and sacred position as the chief mediator between God and Israel. He was consecrated by special anointing and served as the spiritual representative of the entire nation. Because of his proximity to God's holiness in the tabernacle and his role in interceding for the people, his sin was not merely personal. It was seen as defiling the sanctuary itself and potentially bringing guilt upon the entire congregation. The costly offering of a young bullock, the most expensive animal in the sacrificial system, underscored the immense gravity of his transgression and the profound need for purification to restore the sanctity of worship and the covenant relationship, as seen also in [Leviticus 16:6](/leviticus/16-6 "Leviticus 16:6 - Aaron's Sin Offering on Atonement Day").

**What is the difference between "sin offering" and other types of offerings in Leviticus?**

Answer: The "sin offering" (*chatta't*) in Leviticus 4 was specifically for unintentional sins or sins committed in ignorance, which caused ritual defilement or disrupted the covenant relationship. It focused on purification and cleansing. Other offerings included the "burnt offering" (*olah*), which was a voluntary act of devotion and atonement, completely consumed on the altar, symbolizing total surrender to God ([Leviticus 1](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Burnt Offering")). The "peace offering" (*shelamim*) was for fellowship and thanksgiving, shared between God, the priest, and the offerer ([Leviticus 3](/leviticus/3 "Leviticus 3 - The Peace Offering")). The "grain offering" (*minchah*) was an offering of devotion and thanksgiving, often accompanying other sacrifices ([Leviticus 2](/leviticus/2 "Leviticus 2 - The Grain Offering")). Each offering had a distinct purpose, though all pointed to aspects of relationship with God and the need for atonement.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 4:3 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies and transcends the roles of both the High Priest and the unblemished sin offering. The earthly High Priest, though anointed and set apart, remained a fallible human being, constantly needing to offer sacrifices for his own sins before he could atone for the people ([Hebrews 5:3](/hebrews/5-3 "Hebrews 5:3 - The High Priest's Need for Atonement")). Jesus, however, is our "great high priest who has passed through the heavens" ([Hebrews 4:14](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest")), one who is "holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens" ([Hebrews 7:26](/hebrews/7-26 "Hebrews 7:26 - Christ's Superior Priesthood")). He had no sin of His own for which to atone, yet He willingly became the perfect, unblemished "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). The young bullock, costly and perfect, foreshadowed Jesus' infinitely valuable and flawless sacrifice on the cross, which was "once for all" ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")), providing eternal redemption and purification that the blood of bulls and goats could never achieve ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Eternal Redemption")). Through His perfect life and atoning death, Jesus, our High Priest, offered Himself as the ultimate sin offering, forever cleansing us from all sin and granting us direct access to God's holy presence.

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.