Leviticus 6:30

KJV

And no sin offering, whereof [any] of the blood is brought into the tabernacle of the congregation to reconcile [withal] in the holy [place], shall be eaten: it shall be burnt in the fire.

KJV (with Strong's)

And no sin offering {H2403}, whereof any of the blood {H1818} is brought {H935} into the tabernacle {H168} of the congregation {H4150} to reconcile {H3722} withal in the holy {H6944} place, shall be eaten {H398}: it shall be burnt {H8313} in the fire {H784}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But no sin offering which has had any of its blood brought into the tent of meeting to make atonement in the Holy Place is to be eaten; it is to be burned up completely.

Berean Standard Bible

But no sin offering may be eaten if its blood has been brought into the Tent of Meeting to make atonement in the Holy Place; it must be burned.

American Standard Version

And no sin-offering, whereof any of the blood is brought into the tent of meeting to make atonement in the holy place, shall be eaten: it shall be burnt with fire.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 6:30 outlines a critical exception to the general rules for sin offerings, stipulating that if any of the blood from a sin offering was brought into the Tabernacle of the Congregation to make atonement in the Holy Place, the flesh of that offering was strictly forbidden for consumption by the priests. Instead, it was to be completely burned with fire, signifying a profound level of holiness, the comprehensive nature of the atonement performed, and the complete removal of the sin or defilement it addressed.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 6:30 is situated within a broader section (Leviticus 6:8-7:38) that provides specific instructions for the priests regarding the handling of various offerings. This particular verse concludes the detailed regulations concerning the sin offering (Hebrew: *chatta't*), which began in [Leviticus 6:24](/leviticus/6-24 "Leviticus 6:24 - Law of the Sin Offering"). While [Leviticus 6:26](/leviticus/6-26 "Leviticus 6:26 - Priests Eating Sin Offerings") generally permits the priests to eat the flesh of most sin offerings in a holy place, viewing it as "most holy," verse 30 introduces a crucial distinction. This exception applies specifically to sin offerings whose blood was brought into the inner sanctuary (the Holy Place of the Tabernacle), typically those made for the high priest or for the entire congregation (as detailed in [Leviticus 4](/leviticus/4 "Leviticus 4 - Laws for Sin Offerings")). The varying disposal methods highlight a graduated scale of holiness and the severity of the sin being atoned for, with offerings for more pervasive or high-ranking sins requiring a more profound and complete dedication to God.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Tabernacle was the central place of worship for ancient Israel, representing God's dwelling among His people. Its design, from the outer court to the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place, reflected increasing degrees of holiness and proximity to God's presence. The sacrificial system was integral to Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh, providing a divinely ordained means for dealing with sin and defilement. The act of bringing blood into the Holy Place was reserved for the most serious offenses—those that defiled the sanctuary itself or implicated the entire community or its spiritual leader. In such cases, the offering was considered so profoundly holy and so completely dedicated to the process of atonement that its flesh could not be shared or consumed by humans. Burning it entirely, often "outside the camp" (as seen in [Leviticus 4:12](/leviticus/4-12 "Leviticus 4:12 - Burning of Sin Offering Outside the Camp")), symbolized the complete removal of the sin and its defilement from the community, emphasizing that the offering was wholly given over to God for the expiation of grave impurities. This practice underscored the absolute holiness of God and the seriousness with which sin, especially corporate sin, was viewed within the Israelite theological framework.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sin offering (Hebrew, _chatta't'_):** This term refers to a specific type of sacrifice whose primary purpose was to purify from sin or ritual impurity. Unlike the burnt offering which emphasized dedication, or the peace offering which focused on fellowship, the *chatta't* addressed the defilement caused by sin, making atonement and restoring ritual purity, thereby allowing the worshiper to re-enter God's presence.
* **reconcile (Hebrew, _kaphar'_):** This verb is central to the concept of atonement in the Old Testament. It literally means "to cover," "to purge," or "to make propitiation." When the blood was brought into the Holy Place "to reconcile," it signified a profound act of covering or purging the sins of the people before God, thereby restoring fellowship and removing guilt that had defiled the sanctuary or the community as a whole.
* **holy place (Hebrew, _qodesh'_):** Within the Tabernacle, the "holy place" (distinct from the "most holy place" or Holy of Holies) was the inner chamber where the lampstand, table of showbread, and altar of incense were located. Bringing the blood into this sacred space indicated that the sin was of a magnitude that affected the very sanctuary where God's presence dwelled, necessitating a deeper, more comprehensive act of purification and atonement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And no sin offering,"**: This immediately sets the focus on a specific type of sacrifice—the *chatta't*—which has unique regulations concerning its disposal.
* **"whereof [any] of the blood is brought into the tabernacle of the congregation"**: This clause establishes the critical condition for the prohibition. The act of bringing the blood into the inner sanctuary (the Tabernacle structure itself, specifically the Holy Place) elevates the offering's status and the gravity of the atonement it performs. This was not a routine offering but one for serious, often corporate, sin.
* **"to reconcile [withal] in the holy [place],"**: This specifies the profound purpose of bringing the blood into the sanctuary: to make deep, comprehensive atonement (*kaphar*) for sin within the sacred space. This action addressed the defilement that had impacted the very dwelling place of God, requiring a more complete and sacred ritual.
* **"shall be eaten: it shall be burnt in the fire."**: This is the strict command. The prohibition against eating the flesh underscores its profound holiness and the complete dedication of the offering to God for atonement. The prescribed burning, often outside the camp, symbolized the complete removal of sin and impurity from the community and the offering's complete consumption by God's judgment and purification.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 6:30 employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Prescriptive Language** is dominant, characteristic of the legal and instructional nature of the book of Leviticus, clearly stating what "shall" and "shall not" be done, leaving no room for ambiguity in ritual practice. This highlights the divine authority behind the commands and the meticulousness required in approaching a holy God. **Contrast** is evident in the distinction between this type of sin offering, whose flesh cannot be eaten, and other sin offerings (as per [Leviticus 6:26](/leviticus/6-26 "Leviticus 6:26 - Priests Eating Sin Offerings")) that could be consumed by the priests. This contrast underscores the varying degrees of holiness and the different spheres of atonement (e.g., individual vs. corporate/sanctuary defilement). Furthermore, **Symbolism** is rich throughout the verse. The **blood** symbolizes life and the means of atonement; its presentation in the holy place signifies the gravity of the sin and the depth of the reconciliation. The act of **burning** the offering in fire symbolizes complete consumption, purification, and the full removal of the sin's defilement, often implying its removal from the community's midst.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 6:30 powerfully illustrates several core theological truths: the absolute holiness of God, the pervasive and defiling nature of sin, and the necessity of a divinely appointed means of atonement. The prohibition against eating the flesh of such a profoundly atoning sacrifice underscores that certain aspects of reconciliation are solely God's prerogative and cannot be shared or participated in by humans. This particular offering, whose blood entered the inner sanctuary, represented the most serious forms of sin and defilement, requiring a complete dedication to God and a total removal from the community, pointing to a sacrifice that transcends human involvement and consumption. It foreshadows a coming, perfect sacrifice that would fully reconcile humanity to God, not through partial consumption but through complete surrender and divine acceptance.

* [Leviticus 16:27](/leviticus/16-27 "Leviticus 16:27 - Burning of Sin Offering on Day of Atonement")
* [Hebrews 10:4](/hebrews/10-4 "Hebrews 10:4 - The Inadequacy of Animal Sacrifices")
* [Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ as Propitiation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 6:30, though seemingly an obscure ritual detail, offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today. It serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of sin, particularly how it defiles not just individuals but also the sacred space of God's presence and the community of faith. The meticulousness of the law, demanding that certain offerings be completely consumed by fire and not eaten, highlights God's absolute holiness and His unyielding demand for purity. This should lead us to a deeper appreciation for the comprehensive nature of atonement. We are called to recognize that our sin is not trivial; it requires a complete and perfect sacrifice. Furthermore, the inability of humans to partake in this particular offering's flesh points to a reconciliation that is entirely God's work, not something we can earn or complete. Our response should be one of humble gratitude for the perfect provision God has made for our sin, leading us to live lives that reflect the holiness and purity that have been freely given to us through Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the strictness of this command in Leviticus 6:30 deepen your understanding of God's holiness and the seriousness of sin?**
* **In what ways does this ancient ritual foreshadow the complete and non-participatory nature of Christ's ultimate sacrifice for our sins?**
* **Given that Christ's sacrifice has fully atoned for our sins, how should this truth impact our daily walk and our approach to personal holiness?**

### FAQ

**Why couldn't the priests eat the sin offering if the blood was brought into the Holy Place?**

Answer: The prohibition against eating the flesh of a sin offering whose blood was brought into the Holy Place (the inner sanctuary of the Tabernacle) stemmed from its elevated status as an offering for profound atonement. These specific sin offerings, typically made for the high priest or the entire congregation, addressed sins that defiled the sanctuary itself or implicated the whole community. Because the blood, representing the life and the means of atonement, had entered the most sacred space to "reconcile" (make full propitiation), the offering was considered "most holy" in a unique sense—so holy that it was entirely dedicated to God. Its complete destruction by fire, often outside the camp, symbolized the full removal of the sin and defilement from the community, and the offering's total consumption by God's judgment and purification. It was not for human consumption because it represented a complete surrender and expiation of grave sin, a transaction solely between God and the defiled party, highlighting God's absolute holiness and the comprehensive nature of the atonement. This concept is further elaborated in [Leviticus 4](/leviticus/4 "Leviticus 4 - Laws for Sin Offerings"), which distinguishes between different types of sin offerings and their disposal.

**What is the significance of burning the offering "outside the camp"?**

Answer: While Leviticus 6:30 itself only states "it shall be burnt in the fire," other passages like [Leviticus 4:12](/leviticus/4-12 "Leviticus 4:12 - Burning of Sin Offering Outside the Camp") and [Leviticus 16:27](/leviticus/16-27 "Leviticus 16:27 - Burning of Sin Offering on Day of Atonement") specify that such sin offerings, whose blood was brought into the Holy Place, were to be burned "outside the camp." This act carried profound symbolic significance. First, it emphasized the complete removal of the sin and its defilement from the community. Sin, especially that which defiled the sanctuary or implicated the entire nation, was considered an impurity that needed to be expelled. Burning it outside the camp visually represented this expulsion and purification. Second, it underscored the idea that the offering, having borne the impurity of sin, became ritually unclean itself in its disposal, and thus had to be taken away from the holy community. This foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who, as the perfect sin offering, "suffered outside the gate" to sanctify His people by His own blood, bearing our defilement and shame (as seen in [Hebrews 13:11-12](/hebrews/13-11 "Hebrews 13:11-12 - Christ Suffered Outside the Gate")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 6:30, with its strict prohibition against consuming the flesh of the sin offering whose blood entered the Holy Place, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The animal sacrifices of the Old Covenant, particularly those for corporate or high-priestly sin, could only provide a temporary covering, their blood entering an earthly sanctuary. They were burned completely, often "outside the camp," symbolizing the complete removal of sin's defilement and the offering's utter dedication to God's judgment. This prefigured Christ, the perfect and final sin offering, whose own precious blood did not enter an earthly tabernacle, but the heavenly sanctuary itself, securing "eternal redemption" for us ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Blood and Eternal Redemption")). Just as the Old Testament sin offerings were burned outside the camp, signifying their bearing of impurity and complete consumption, so Christ "suffered outside the gate" of Jerusalem, bearing the full weight of humanity's sin and shame, becoming the ultimate propitiation ([Hebrews 13:11-12](/hebrews/13-11 "Hebrews 13:11-12 - Christ Suffered Outside the Gate")). His sacrifice was so complete and final that, unlike the Old Testament priests who consumed portions of other sin offerings, there is no part for us to "eat" in terms of contributing to our atonement; rather, we receive it fully by faith. His "burning" was the complete consumption of God's wrath against sin, making Him the one perfect sacrifice by which we "have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Sanctified Through Christ's Sacrifice")).

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

Hebrews 13:11

For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.

Leviticus 4:3

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.

Leviticus 4:21

And he shall carry forth the bullock without the camp, and burn him as he burned the first bullock: it [is] a sin offering for the congregation.

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.

Hebrews 9:11

But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

Hebrews 9:12

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption [for us].

Leviticus 16:27

And the bullock [for] the sin offering, and the goat [for] the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the holy [place], shall [one] carry forth without the camp; and they shall burn in the fire their skins, and their flesh, and their dung.