Leviticus 4:8

And he shall take off from it all the fat of the bullock for the sin offering; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that [is] upon the inwards,

And he shall take off {H7311} from it all the fat {H2459} of the bullock {H6499} for the sin offering {H2403}; the fat {H2459} that covereth {H3680} the inwards {H7130}, and all the fat {H2459} that is upon the inwards {H7130},

He is to remove from the bull for the sin offering all of its fat -the fat covering the inner organs, all the fat above the inner organs,

Then he shall remove all the fat from the bull of the sin offeringโ€”the fat that covers the entrails, all the fat that is on them,

And all the fat of the bullock of the sin-offering he shall take off from it; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards,

Commentary

Leviticus 4:8 details a specific instruction within the ancient Israelite sin offering ritual, focusing on the preparation of the sacrificial bullock. This verse specifies the removal of certain fatty portions from the animal, which were designated for the Lord.

Context of Leviticus 4:8

Leviticus Chapter 4 outlines the procedures for the sin offering, known in Hebrew as chatta't. This particular offering was prescribed for unintentional sins committed by various individuals or the entire community. The instructions vary depending on the status of the person committing the sin (e.g., the high priest, the whole congregation, a leader, or a common person). Verse 8 falls within the instructions for the sin offering of a high priest or the entire congregation, emphasizing the meticulousness required in approaching a holy God.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Holiness and Purity: The precise instructions for the sin offering underscore God's absolute holiness and the necessity for His people to maintain ritual purity. Every detail, including the removal of specific fat, served to reinforce the gravity of sin and the meticulousness required for atonement.
  • The Lord's Portion: The fat was considered the richest and best part of the animal. By commanding that all the fat covering the inwards be removed and offered to Him, God claimed the "best" of the sacrifice, symbolizing that He deserves supreme honor and the prime of all offerings. This concept is reiterated in Leviticus 3:16, where it states that "all the fat is the Lord's."
  • Symbolic Atonement: While the sin offering provided temporary atonement for unintentional sins, its detailed nature pointed forward to a more perfect sacrifice. The shedding of blood and the offering of the animal's life, including its choicest parts, prefigured the ultimate atonement found in Jesus Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "fat" used here is chelev (ื—ึตืœึถื‘), which specifically refers to the internal abdominal fat. This fat was explicitly forbidden for consumption by the Israelites, as stated in Leviticus 7:23-25. Its removal and burning on the altar signified a complete dedication of the most prized part of the animal to God, symbolizing devotion and obedience.

Practical Application and Reflection

For believers today, Leviticus 4:8, though part of an ancient ritual law, offers profound insights. It reminds us of God's demand for our "best" โ€“ not just in material offerings, but in our worship, service, and daily lives. The meticulousness of the Old Testament sacrifices highlights the seriousness of sin and the immense cost of atonement, pointing us to the perfect and complete sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Unlike these temporary animal sacrifices, Christ's single offering on the cross provides eternal redemption for all sins, intentional or unintentional, making these elaborate rituals unnecessary for salvation today.

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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 3:3

    And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering an offering made by fire unto the LORD; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that [is] upon the inwards,

  • Leviticus 3:5

    And Aaron's sons shall burn it on the altar upon the burnt sacrifice, which [is] upon the wood that [is] on the fire: [it is] an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

  • Leviticus 4:35

    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.

  • Leviticus 16:25

    And the fat of the sin offering shall he burn upon the altar.

  • Leviticus 3:9

    And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering an offering made by fire unto the LORD; the fat thereof, [and] the whole rump, it shall he take off hard by the backbone; and the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that [is] upon the inwards,

  • Leviticus 3:11

    And the priest shall burn it upon the altar: [it is] the food of the offering made by fire unto the LORD.

  • John 12:27

    ยถ Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
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