Leviticus 6:26

KJV

The priest that offereth it for sin shall eat it: in the holy place shall it be eaten, in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation.

KJV (with Strong's)

The priest {H3548} that offereth it for sin {H2398} shall eat {H398} it: in the holy {H6918} place {H4725} shall it be eaten {H398}, in the court {H2691} of the tabernacle {H168} of the congregation {H4150}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The cohen who offers it for sin is to eat it -it is to be eaten in a holy place, in the courtyard of the tent of meeting.

Berean Standard Bible

The priest who offers it shall eat it; it must be eaten in a holy place, in the courtyard of the Tent of Meeting.

American Standard Version

The priest that offereth it for sin shall eat it: in a holy place shall it be eaten, in the court of the tent of meeting.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 6:26 provides precise instructions for the sin offering, a crucial element of Israel's sacrificial system designed to atone for specific transgressions and ritual impurities. This verse mandates that the officiating priest consume a portion of the consecrated offering, and this consumption must occur exclusively within the sacred confines of the Tabernacle—specifically, either in the Holy Place or its surrounding court. This directive underscored the priest's unique mediatorial role, their symbolic participation in the atonement process, and the profound holiness inherent in all aspects of divine worship and the handling of sin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 6:26 is situated within a detailed section (Leviticus 6:24-30) that provides specific regulations for the *chatta'th*, or sin offering, building upon the foundational instructions in [Leviticus 4](/leviticus/4 "Leviticus 4 - The Sin Offering"). This chapter elaborates on the priest's duties and privileges regarding the various portions of the sacrifices. The verses immediately preceding this one (Leviticus 6:24-25) emphasize the extreme holiness of the sin offering, stating that anything touching its flesh becomes holy, and any garment splattered with its blood must be washed in a holy place. This pervasive theme of sanctity sets the stage for the strictures on where and by whom the offering's flesh could be eaten, distinguishing it from other offerings and highlighting its unique role in purification and atonement. The subsequent verses (Leviticus 6:27-30) further reinforce this sanctity by detailing the proper treatment of vessels used for the offering and reiterating the critical exception: if the sin offering's blood is brought into the Tent of Meeting for atonement, its flesh must be burned outside the camp, thus providing the crucial counterpoint to the rule of priestly consumption.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The instructions in Leviticus 6:26 are deeply embedded in the ancient Israelite understanding of holiness, sin, and the divine presence. The Tabernacle, serving as God's dwelling place among His people, was the central hub of worship and the locus of atonement. The distinction between "the holy place" (the inner sanctuary where the altar of incense and lampstand were) and "the court of the tabernacle of the congregation" (the outer area containing the bronze altar and laver) reflected the graded levels of sanctity within the sacred precinct. Priests, consecrated through specific rituals, were uniquely positioned to handle holy things. Their consumption of the sin offering was not merely a meal but a ritual act. Unlike most other offerings where the offerer received a portion, the sin offering (for individuals) was entirely consumed by the priests, symbolizing their role in "bearing the iniquity" or "carrying away the sin" on behalf of the offerer. This symbolic act of absorption and removal of sin was crucial for the community's ritual purity. It is vital to note the exception: if the sin offering was for the high priest or the entire congregation, its flesh was not eaten but burned outside the camp, as detailed in [Leviticus 4:12](/leviticus/4-12 "Leviticus 4:12 - Sin Offering for a Priest") and [Leviticus 4:21](/leviticus/4-21 "Leviticus 4:21 - Sin Offering for the Whole Congregation"). This distinction underscored the gravity of sins affecting the leadership or the entire community, which required a more complete removal from the sacred space.
* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 6:26 contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent throughout the book of Leviticus and the Pentateuch. The primary theme is **Holiness**, emphasizing God's absolute purity and the corresponding requirement for His people to be holy, particularly in their approach to Him. The meticulous rules for the sin offering and its consumption in a sacred space highlight that sin defiles and that reconciliation demands a precise, divinely ordained process of purification. Another crucial theme is **Atonement**, which is the means by which the breach between a holy God and sinful humanity is mended. The sin offering, and the priest's role in it, is central to this concept. Furthermore, the verse underscores the **Mediatorial Role of the Priesthood**, demonstrating that the priests were divinely appointed intermediaries who facilitated the people's access to God and bore the responsibility for handling sacred things. Finally, the theme of **Sacrifice and Substitution** is evident, as the animal's life was given as a substitute for the sinner, and the priest's consumption ritually completed the transfer and removal of sin. These themes collectively paint a picture of God's character, the nature of sin, and the gracious provision for reconciliation within the Old Covenant.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Priest (Hebrew, _kôhên'_):** From H3548, this term literally refers to "one officiating." In the context of Israel, it designates an individual from the tribe of Levi, specifically the lineage of Aaron, who was consecrated to serve God in the Tabernacle (and later the Temple). The priest's role was multifaceted, encompassing offering sacrifices, teaching the Law, and mediating between God and the people. Here, the "priest that offereth it" specifies the authorized individual responsible for handling the sin offering, underscoring the exclusive and sacred nature of their duty.
* **Sin (Hebrew, _châṭâʼ'_):** From H2398, this primitive root primarily means "to miss" a mark, and figuratively, "to sin." It encompasses a broad range of moral and ritual offenses, including unintentional errors, transgressions, and impurities that defile a person or the sanctuary. In the context of the sin offering (*chatta'th*), the term signifies the offense itself and, by extension, the means by which that offense is addressed and atoned for. The offering is presented "for sin," indicating its purpose is to cleanse and purify from the defilement caused by transgression.
* **Eat (Hebrew, _ʼâkal'_):** From H398, this primitive root means "to eat" literally or figuratively. In the context of sacrifices, eating often implies participation, identification, or appropriation. For the priest to "eat" the sin offering was not merely a physical act of consumption for nourishment, but a ritualistic one. It symbolized their identification with the atonement process, their symbolic "bearing" or "carrying away" of the sin on behalf of the offerer, and their appropriation of the offering's sanctifying power. This sacred meal was a solemn duty, emphasizing the weight of sin and the priest's unique mediatorial function.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The priest that offereth it for sin shall eat it":** This clause identifies the specific individual responsible for consuming the sin offering—the officiating priest who presents it. This instruction applies to sin offerings made for individuals or rulers, distinguishing them from offerings for the high priest or the entire congregation, which were burned outside the camp. The act of eating signified the priest's unique and solemn role in the atonement process, where they ritually absorbed or "bore" the iniquity of the offerer, thereby mediating between the person and God. This was a weighty responsibility, not a casual privilege, highlighting the gravity of sin and the sacredness of the priestly office.
* **"in the holy place shall it be eaten,"** This phrase dictates the precise, consecrated location for the consumption of the sin offering. The "holy place" refers to the sacred inner chamber of the Tabernacle, just outside the Most Holy Place, where the altar of incense and the lampstand were located. This strict geographical restriction underscores the extreme holiness of the sin offering itself and the absolute necessity of maintaining ritual purity and sanctity in all matters pertaining to atonement and interaction with God's presence. The sacredness of the offering demanded a sacred environment for its handling and consumption.
* **"in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation."** This further clarifies and expands the permissible eating area, encompassing the broader, yet still sacred, outer court of the Tabernacle. This area contained the altar of burnt offering and the laver, and was accessible to all priests. The dual specification of "holy place" and "court of the tabernacle of the congregation" emphasizes that the consumption must occur exclusively within the consecrated boundaries of God's dwelling. This reinforces the profound truth that the handling of sin and its atonement is a deeply sacred act, entirely set apart from common activities and demanding the highest reverence.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 6:26 primarily employs **Legal Precision** and **Symbolism**. The language is meticulously precise, characteristic of legal and ritual codes, leaving no ambiguity regarding *who* performs the action, *what* is consumed, and *where* it must occur. This precision underscores the absolute necessity of adhering to divine commands for the efficacy and validity of the ritual, reflecting the unyielding nature of God's holiness. **Symbolism** is profoundly at play in the act of priestly consumption. The priest eating the sin offering symbolizes their identification with the atonement process and their role in "bearing" or "carrying away" the sin. This act is not merely sustenance but a ritualistic absorption of the offering, which itself is a symbol of the sin it purifies. The designated "holy place" and "court" are also deeply symbolic, representing the sacredness and strict separation required for any interaction with God's holiness, particularly concerning the removal of impurity and the restoration of fellowship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 6:26 profoundly illustrates the seriousness of sin and the meticulous divine provision for its atonement within the Old Covenant. The priest's act of eating the sin offering underscored their unique mediatorial role, symbolically bearing the iniquity of the people and participating in the process of cleansing and reconciliation. This ritual highlighted God's holiness, the defiling nature of sin, and the necessity of a divinely ordained means for forgiveness. It also emphasized the sacred responsibility of those who minister spiritual truths, echoing the Levitical priests' solemn duty to handle holy things with reverence and precision, understanding that their actions were integral to the community's standing before God. The entire system, with its intricate details, served as a pedagogical shadow, pointing to a greater reality of a perfect sacrifice and a superior priesthood.

* [Numbers 18:9](/numbers/18-9 "Numbers 18:9 - Priests' Portion of Offerings")
* [Ezekiel 44:29](/ezekiel/44-29 "Ezekiel 44:29 - Priests' Portion of Offerings")
* [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice and Heavenly Sanctuary")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the Old Testament sacrificial system has been perfectly fulfilled in Christ, Leviticus 6:26 offers enduring spiritual lessons for believers today. It powerfully reminds us of the profound seriousness of sin and the immense cost required for its atonement. The meticulous nature of the ritual underscores that God does not take sin lightly; it demands a costly and precise remedy. Just as the Levitical priest's role was to mediate and symbolically bear the sin, so too are those in spiritual leadership today called to a sacred responsibility, ministering God's truth with reverence, purity, and a deep understanding of the weight of sin and the glory of God's provision. This verse also calls us to consider the holiness of God, which necessitates such precise and costly means for reconciliation. It challenges us to live lives that reflect the gravity of our redemption, recognizing that we have been cleansed by a perfect, once-for-all sacrifice, and therefore our lives should be set apart for Him, lived in reverence and gratitude for the immeasurable grace we have received.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the priest's symbolic act of eating the sin offering deepen your understanding of the seriousness of sin and its defiling nature?**
* **In what ways does the strict requirement for the offering to be eaten in a "holy place" inform your view of God's holiness and the reverence due to Him in your own life and worship?**
* **What lessons can those in spiritual leadership today draw from the Levitical priest's sacred responsibility in mediating atonement and handling holy truths?**
* **How does the fulfillment of this Old Testament ritual in Christ impact your daily walk and your understanding of forgiveness and access to God?**

### FAQ

**Why did the priests eat the sin offering, and what was the significance of this act?**

Answer: The priests ate portions of specific sin offerings (those made for individuals or rulers) as a divinely commanded ritual act. This consumption was not merely for sustenance but carried profound symbolic meaning. By eating the offering, the priest ritually identified with the atonement process, symbolically "bearing" or "carrying away" the sin on behalf of the offerer. It signified their role as mediators between God and the people, absorbing the ritual impurity or the consequences of the sin that the offering represented. This act underscored the sacredness of their office and their participation in the process of reconciliation, as mentioned in passages like [Numbers 18:9](/numbers/18-9 "Numbers 18:9 - Priests' Portion of Offerings") and [Ezekiel 44:29](/ezekiel/44-29 "Ezekiel 44:29 - Priests' Portion of Offerings"). It was a solemn duty, not a casual meal, emphasizing the weight of sin and the sacredness of the priestly office.

**Were all sin offerings eaten by the priests?**

Answer: No, not all sin offerings were eaten by the priests. A crucial distinction existed based on who the offering was for. If the sin offering was made for the high priest himself or for the entire congregation, its flesh was strictly forbidden for consumption by the priests. Instead, the entire animal, including its hide, was to be taken outside the camp to a clean place and burned, as detailed in [Leviticus 4:12](/leviticus/4-12 "Leviticus 4:12 - Sin Offering for a Priest") and [Leviticus 4:21](/leviticus/4-21 "Leviticus 4:21 - Sin Offering for the Whole Congregation"). This exception highlighted the greater gravity of sins affecting the spiritual leadership or the entire community, requiring a more complete removal and purification from the sacred space. Only sin offerings made for individuals or rulers were permitted for priestly consumption, symbolizing the priest's role in bearing the iniquity of the individual.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 6:26, with its intricate details regarding the priest's consumption of the sin offering in a holy place, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Levitical priest's act of symbolically bearing the sin by eating the offering foreshadowed Christ's actual and complete identification with humanity's sin. As [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us") declares, God "made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." Jesus, the spotless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), truly "bore our sins in his body on the tree" ([1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins")), taking the full weight and consequence of humanity's transgressions upon Himself. Unlike the Levitical priests who repeatedly offered sacrifices that could only cover sin, Christ offered Himself "once for all" ([Hebrews 7:27](/hebrews/7-27 "Hebrews 7:27 - Christ's Superior Priesthood")), a perfect and sufficient sacrifice that truly takes away sin. His sacrifice, offered not in an earthly tabernacle but in the heavenly sanctuary through His own blood ([Hebrews 9:11-12](/hebrews/9-11-12 "Hebrews 9:11-12 - Christ's Heavenly Sanctuary and Perfect Sacrifice")), fulfilled every shadow of the Old Covenant sin offering, providing eternal redemption and direct access to God's presence, making the symbolic acts of the priests obsolete in light of His complete and perfect work.

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.

Cross-References

Leviticus 10:17

Wherefore have ye not eaten the sin offering in the holy place, seeing it [is] most holy, and [God] hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD?

Leviticus 10:18

Behold, the blood of it was not brought in within the holy [place]: ye should indeed have eaten it in the holy [place], as I commanded.

Ezekiel 44:28

And it shall be unto them for an inheritance: I [am] their inheritance: and ye shall give them no possession in Israel: I [am] their possession.

Ezekiel 44:29

They shall eat the meat offering, and the sin offering, and the trespass offering; and every dedicated thing in Israel shall be theirs.

Hosea 4:8

They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity.

Ezekiel 42:13

Then said he unto me, The north chambers [and] the south chambers, which [are] before the separate place, they [be] holy chambers, where the priests that approach unto the LORD shall eat the most holy things: there shall they lay the most holy things, and the meat offering, and the sin offering, and the trespass offering; for the place [is] holy.

Ezekiel 46:20

Then said he unto me, This [is] the place where the priests shall boil the trespass offering and the sin offering, where they shall bake the meat offering; that they bear [them] not out into the utter court, to sanctify the people.