TRV
Translation
King James Version
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:
Complete Jewish Bible
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. All its remaining blood he is to pour out at the base of the altar.
Berean Standard Bible
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 its blood at the base of the altar.
American Standard Version
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 all the blood thereof shall he pour out at the base of the altar.
World English Bible Messianic
The priest shall take some of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, and put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering; and all the rest of its blood he shall pour out at the base of the altar.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Then the Priest shall take of the blood of the sinne offring with his finger, and put it vpon the hornes of the burnt offring altar, and shall powre al the rest of the blood thereof at the foote of the altar.
Young's Literal Translation
`And the priest hath taken of the blood of the sin-offering with his finger, and hath put on the horns of the altar of the burnt-offering, and all its blood he poureth out at the foundation of the altar,
In the KJVVerse 2,830 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Leviticus 4 verses 27–35
27 ¶ And if any one of the common people sin through ignorance, while he doeth somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which ought not to be done, and be guilty;
28 Or if his sin, which he hath sinned, come to his knowledge: then he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a female without blemish, for his sin which he hath sinned.
29 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.
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.
31 And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat is taken away from off the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the priest shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savour unto the LORD; and the priest shall make an atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him.
32 And if he bring a lamb for a sin offering, he shall bring it a female without blemish.
33 And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the sin offering, and slay it for a sin offering in the place where they kill the burnt offering.
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:
35 And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat of the lamb is taken away from the sacrifice of the peace offerings; and the priest shall burn them upon the altar, according to the offerings made by fire unto the LORD: and the priest shall make an atonement for his sin that he hath committed, and it shall be forgiven him.
I. Here is the law of the sin-offering for a common person, which differs from that for a ruler only in this, that a private person might bring either a kid or a lamb, a ruler only a kid; and that for a ruler must be a male, for the other a female: in all the circumstances of the management of the offering they agreed. Observe, 1. The case supposed: If any one of the common people sin through ignorance, Lev 4:27. The prophet supposes that they were not so likely as the great men to know the way of the Lord, and the judgment of their God (Jer 5:4), and yet, if they sin through ignorance, they must bring a sin-offering. Note, Even sins of ignorance need to be atoned for by sacrifice. To be able to plead, when we are charged with sin, that we did it ignorantly, and through the surprise of temptation, will not bring us off if we be not interested in that great plea, Christ hath died, and entitled to the benefit of that. We have all need to pray with David (and he was a ruler) to be cleansed from secret faults, the errors which we ourselves do not understand or are not aware of, Psa 19:12. 2. That the sins of ignorance committed by a single person, a common obscure person, did require a sacrifice; for, as the greatest are not above the censure, so the meanest are not below the cognizance of the divine justice. None of the common people, if offenders, were overlooked in a crowd. 3. That a sin-offering was not only admitted, but accepted, even from one of the common people, and an atonement made by it, Lev 4:31, Lev 4:35. Here rich and poor, prince and peasant, meet together; they are both alike welcome to Christ, and to an interest in his sacrifice, upon the same terms. See Job 34:19.
II. From all these laws concerning the sin-offerings we may learn, 1. To hate sin, and to watch against it. That is certainly a very bad thing to make atonement for which so many innocent and useful creatures must be slain and mangled thus. 2. To value Christ, the great and true sin-offering, whose blood cleanses from all sin, which it was not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away. Now, if any man sin, Christ is the propitiation (Jo1 2:1, Jo1 2:2), not for Jews only, but for Gentiles. And perhaps there was some allusion to this law concerning sacrifices for sins of ignorance in that prayer of Christ's, just when he was offering up himself a sacrifice, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 27–35. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Leviticus 4:34 meticulously details the priestly actions required for the sin offering of an individual from the common people. This verse describes the precise handling of the sacrificial blood: a portion is applied by the priest's finger to the horns of the altar of burnt offering, symbolizing the extension of purification to the core of worship, while the remainder is poured out at the altar's base, signifying the complete dedication and disposal of the sin's consequence. This sacred procedure underscores the gravity of sin, the necessity of a life offered in its place, and God's provision for reconciliation within the Mosaic covenant.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Leviticus 4 provides comprehensive instructions for the chatta't or "sin offering," a specific sacrifice designed to atone for unintentional sins committed by various societal groups within Israel. The chapter systematically outlines the procedures for a high priest (Leviticus 4:3-12), the entire congregation (Leviticus 4:13-21), a leader (Leviticus 4:22-26), and finally, an individual of the common people (Leviticus 4:27-35). Our verse, Leviticus 4:34, falls within the instructions for the common person's sin offering, specifically detailing the handling of the blood after the animal has been slaughtered. This follows the initial steps of the offerer laying hands on the animal and its subsequent slaughter, leading to the priestly actions that effect atonement and purification. The meticulous detail in this chapter highlights the seriousness with which God viewed sin, even unintentional sin, and the precise means He provided for its expiation, setting it apart from other offerings like the burnt offering or peace offering, which had different primary purposes.
Historical & Cultural Context: The sin offering was an indispensable component of the Mosaic covenant, which established the unique relationship between Yahweh and Israel. In ancient Israel, life was understood to reside in the blood, as explicitly stated in Leviticus 17:11, making blood central to atonement rituals. The Tabernacle (and later, the Temple) served as the focal point of Israelite worship, where God's holy presence dwelt among His people. However, God's absolute holiness necessitated strict protocols for approaching Him, especially given human sinfulness. The altar of burnt offering, located in the outer court of the Tabernacle, was the primary place for sacrifices and thus a crucial point of contact between God and humanity. The "horns" of the altar, prominent projections at its corners, held significant symbolic meaning, often representing strength, power, and sanctuary (see 1 Kings 1:50). The ritual application of blood to these horns and its pouring out at the base were not arbitrary actions but deeply symbolic gestures, communicating the transfer of sin to the sacrifice, the consecration of the altar, and the complete expiation of the offense. This elaborate system of sacrifices provided a tangible, visual, and visceral reminder of the cost of sin and the mercy of God in providing a way for His people to remain in covenant fellowship with Him.
Key Themes: Leviticus 4, and specifically the sin offering ritual, powerfully articulates several core themes. First, it underscores the Holiness of God and the absolute necessity of purity for fellowship with Him. The detailed instructions reveal that God's presence cannot tolerate sin, even unintentional defilement. Second, it highlights the Pervasiveness and Gravity of Sin, demonstrating that any transgression, whether deliberate or accidental, creates a breach in the covenant relationship and defiles the sacred space. This is why atonement is required even for sins committed "unwittingly" (Leviticus 4:2). Third, the chapter emphasizes God's Gracious Provision for Atonement. Despite humanity's sinfulness, God Himself provides the means for reconciliation through the shedding of blood, offering a substitutionary sacrifice to cover the offense. Finally, the role of the priest points to the theme of Mediation, as the priest acts as the divinely appointed intercessor, facilitating the process of purification and restoring the sinner to a right standing before God. These themes are foundational to understanding the entire sacrificial system described in Leviticus.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Leviticus 4:34 is rich in Symbolism. The blood itself is the primary symbol, representing life, atonement, and purification—the very essence of the substitutionary sacrifice. Its application to the horns of the altar symbolizes the power and efficacy of the atonement reaching the very core of worship and the sacred space, consecrating it anew. The altar itself symbolizes the divinely appointed point of contact between a holy God and sinful humanity, the place where reconciliation is made possible. The priest embodies the role of mediator, a figure essential for bridging the gap between God and man through prescribed ritual. The entire process is described with Ritualistic Language, characterized by precise, prescriptive instructions that emphasize order, holiness, and the non-negotiable nature of God's requirements for dealing with sin. This detailed instruction ensures the ritual's proper execution, highlighting its divine origin and sacred purpose.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 4:34 powerfully illustrates foundational theological truths: the absolute holiness of God, the pervasive defilement of sin (even unintentional), and God's gracious provision for atonement. The meticulous handling of the blood underscores that reconciliation with a holy God requires a costly sacrifice—a life for a life. This ritual, though temporary and repetitive, pointed forward to a greater, more perfect sacrifice. It teaches us that sin is not merely a moral failing but an offense against God that requires divine intervention and a substitutionary act to restore fellowship and purity. The priest's mediation further highlights the need for an intercessor between humanity and God.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 4:34, though describing an ancient ritual, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It confronts us with the sobering reality of sin's gravity, reminding us that even our "unintentional" transgressions defile us and impact our relationship with a holy God. The elaborate, costly nature of the sin offering should cultivate a deep appreciation for the immense price of our redemption. We no longer offer animal sacrifices, but this verse helps us grasp the magnitude of Christ's sacrifice—a perfect, once-for-all atonement that fulfilled and surpassed all these Old Testament shadows. It calls us to live with a heightened awareness of God's holiness, a humble recognition of our own sinfulness, and an overflowing gratitude for the complete and final forgiveness we have in Jesus. Our response should be a life of worship, obedience, and sincere repentance when we fall short, trusting in the blood of Christ alone for our cleansing and standing before God.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is an "unintentional sin" in the context of Leviticus 4?
Answer: An "unintentional sin" (Hebrew: bishgāgāh) refers to a sin committed unknowingly, inadvertently, or by mistake, rather than a deliberate, high-handed rebellion against God's commands. This could include accidentally violating a dietary law, touching something unclean without realizing it, or unintentionally breaking a specific commandment due to ignorance or oversight. While not malicious, these sins still created defilement and broke covenant purity, requiring atonement to restore the individual's standing and prevent the defilement of the sanctuary. The sin offering did not cover intentional, defiant sins, which often carried more severe penalties, including being "cut off" from the community (e.g., Numbers 15:30-31).
Why was blood so central to the sin offering ritual?
Answer: Blood was central because, according to the Mosaic Law, "the life of the flesh is in the blood" (Leviticus 17:11). Therefore, the shedding of blood represented the giving of a life. In the sin offering, the life of an innocent animal was offered as a substitute for the life of the sinner. This substitutionary act, where blood was applied to the altar, served as the means of atonement, making propitiation for the sin and cleansing the individual and the sanctuary from impurity. It visually and viscerally communicated that sin's penalty was death, and only through the shedding of a life could forgiveness and purification be achieved.
What was the significance of putting blood on the "horns of the altar"?
Answer: The horns of the altar were prominent, symbolic extensions at each corner, often representing strength, power, and sanctuary. Applying the blood to these horns signified that the atonement reached the very heart and essence of the altar, the sacred space where God's presence was encountered and where sacrifices were offered. It demonstrated that the sin offering purified the altar itself from the defilement caused by human sin, ensuring the holiness of the place of worship. It also underscored the power and efficacy of the sacrificial blood to cleanse and consecrate. In some cases, grasping the horns of the altar could offer temporary sanctuary (e.g., 1 Kings 1:50), further emphasizing their symbolic importance.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 4:34, with its meticulous details of the sin offering, serves as a profound shadow pointing to the ultimate reality found in Jesus Christ. The priest's indispensable role in handling the blood and mediating atonement is perfectly fulfilled in Jesus, our great High Priest, who "ever liveth to make intercession" for us (Hebrews 7:25). The sacrificial animal's blood, offered repeatedly for unintentional sins, finds its perfect antitype in Christ's own precious blood, shed "once for all" on the cross, not for mere unintentional sins but for the full weight of humanity's sin, both intentional and unintentional (Hebrews 9:12). Just as the blood was applied to the horns of the altar, signifying purification of the sacred space, Christ's blood purifies not only our consciences but also the heavenly sanctuary itself, making us holy and blameless before God (Hebrews 9:23-24). The pouring out of all the blood at the altar's base symbolizes the completeness of the offering; similarly, Christ's cry "It is finished!" (John 19:30) declared the full and final accomplishment of redemption. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), our perfect sin offering, through whom we have "redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" (Ephesians 1:7).