Leviticus 8:14

KJV

¶ And he brought the bullock for the sin offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the bullock for the sin offering.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he brought {H5066} the bullock {H6499} for the sin offering {H2403}: and Aaron {H175} and his sons {H1121} laid {H5564} their hands {H3027} upon the head {H7218} of the bullock {H6499} for the sin offering {H2403}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then the young bull for the sin offering was brought, and Aharon and his sons laid their hands on the head of the bull for the sin offering.

Berean Standard Bible

Moses then brought the bull near for the sin offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head.

American Standard Version

And he brought the bullock of the sin-offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the bullock of the sin-offering.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 8:14 marks a pivotal moment in the priestly ordination ceremony, initiating the sacrificial phase for Aaron and his sons. This verse precisely details the presentation of the bullock designated for the sin offering, followed by the crucial act of Aaron and his sons placing their hands upon its head. This foundational ritual was indispensable for their purification and consecration, signifying a profound identification with the sacrificial animal and the symbolic transfer of their sin and defilement, thereby enabling them to approach a holy God and commence their sacred duties in the newly consecrated Tabernacle.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 8 meticulously records the seven-day ordination ceremony for Aaron and his sons, a ritual divinely commanded in intricate detail in [Exodus 29](/exodus/29 "Exodus 29 - The Ordination of Priests"). Moses, acting as God's faithful mediator, executes each step of this elaborate consecration process. Following the initial rites of washing and anointing (Leviticus 8:6-13), the sin offering in verse 14 is the first of three distinct sacrifices—sin, burnt, and ordination offerings—performed sequentially to purify, consecrate, and empower the newly appointed priests for their lifelong service. This specific order underscores the absolute necessity of atonement and purification as a prerequisite for anyone, especially a priest, to enter into God's holy presence and minister on behalf of the Israelite community. The subsequent verses (Leviticus 8:15-17) further elaborate on the precise handling of the sin offering's blood and flesh, emphasizing the gravity and efficacy of the ritual's cleansing power.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The consecration of Aaron and his sons represented a monumental and foundational event in Israel's history, formally establishing the Levitical priesthood as the divinely ordained intermediary between the holy God and His covenant people. This elaborate ceremony took place shortly after the completion and dedication of the Tabernacle, which served as God's portable dwelling place among Israel, as meticulously detailed in [Exodus 40](/exodus/40 "Exodus 40 - The Tabernacle Completed and Filled with God's Glory"). While the concept of a "sin offering" (Hebrew: *chaṭṭâʼâh*) had parallels in other ancient Near Eastern cultures, Israel's unique understanding was profoundly rooted in God's covenantal holiness and justice. Unlike pagan rituals often intended to appease arbitrary deities, the Israelite sin offering was designed to cleanse from ritual impurity or unintentional sin, thereby restoring a right relationship with God and enabling access to His sacred presence. The selection of a bullock, a large and valuable animal, for this offering underscored the significant cost and seriousness associated with addressing sin and defilement, highlighting the profound purification required for those called to such a sacred and mediating role.
* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 8:14 contributes significantly to several major theological and narrative themes within the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the theme of **Holiness**, emphasizing God's absolute purity and the corresponding requirement for His people, especially His priests, to be purified before approaching Him. The verse also highlights the theme of **Atonement and Purification**, demonstrating that human sin and defilement necessitate a divinely prescribed means of cleansing to restore fellowship. The act of laying hands on the animal introduces the critical theme of **Substitution**, where an innocent life symbolically bears the impurity of another, foreshadowing a greater sacrifice. Furthermore, the meticulous adherence to God's instructions by Moses underscores the theme of **Divine Command and Obedience**, illustrating that worship and service must conform precisely to God's revealed will. This entire ordination ceremony, beginning with the sin offering, establishes the enduring pattern for priestly ministry, emphasizing that access to God is always predicated on His gracious provision for cleansing, as seen throughout the sacrificial system described in [Leviticus 4](/leviticus/4 "Leviticus 4 - Laws for Sin Offerings").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bullock (Hebrew, _par'_):** From H6499, this term refers to a young bull, typically chosen for its unblemished quality and significant value. The selection of a bullock for the sin offering, particularly for the high priest or the entire congregation, signifies the gravity of the sin being atoned for and the substantial cost involved in purification. It represents a robust, unblemished life offered as a substitute, underscoring the seriousness of defilement and the profound nature of the cleansing required for those entering into sacred service.
* **Sin Offering (Hebrew, _chaṭṭâʼâh'_):** From H2403, this is a crucial term, often translated as "sin offering," but its root *ḥṭʾ* fundamentally means "to miss the mark" or "to err." In the context of sacrifice, *chaṭṭâʼâh* refers to the offering made to cleanse from ritual impurity or unintentional sin, thereby restoring a right relationship with God and enabling access to His presence. The animal, through the prescribed ritual, becomes identified with the sin it purges, bearing the defilement so that the offerer might be purified. It is primarily concerned with cleansing and purification, rather than solely guilt.
* **Laid (Hebrew, _çâmak'_):** From H5564, this primitive root means "to prop," "to lean upon," "to support," or "to lay heavily." When Aaron and his sons "laid" their hands upon the bullock's head, it signified a profound act of identification and symbolic transfer. This physical action represented the transfer of their sins, defilement, and perhaps even their very identity as impure individuals onto the innocent animal. This act underscored the substitutionary nature of the sacrifice, where the animal would bear the consequences of their impurity, thereby allowing them to be cleansed and made fit for their sacred calling.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he brought the bullock for the sin offering:"** This initial clause highlights Moses' indispensable role as the divinely appointed mediator and faithful executor of God's precise commands. He is not merely an observer but actively facilitates the consecration process, presenting the specific animal required for purification. The immediate identification of the "bullock for the sin offering" clearly states the purpose of this particular sacrifice: to purify Aaron and his sons from any defilement that would impede their approach to God's absolute holiness and their subsequent priestly duties.
* **"and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the bullock for the sin offering."** This is the pivotal and most symbolic act within the verse. By placing their hands firmly upon the animal, Aaron and his sons publicly and ritually acknowledged their inherent spiritual uncleanness and their profound need for purification. This physical gesture served as a symbolic transfer, ritually imputing their sins and defilements onto the innocent bullock. This act was absolutely essential for the efficacy of the offering, transforming the animal into a substitute that would bear the consequences of their impurity, thereby preparing them to be consecrated and made acceptable for sacred service before the holy God.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 8:14 is rich in **Symbolism**. The **bullock** itself symbolizes a valuable, unblemished life offered as a substitute for the defiled priests, representing the high cost and gravity of sin. The act of **laying on of hands** is a powerful visual and tactile symbol of identification and the transfer of sin and impurity from the offerers to the sacrifice. This ritualistic act underscores the profound theological concept of **Substitutionary Atonement**, where an innocent party bears the penalty or defilement for another. The entire ordination ceremony, including this specific verse, functions as a **Ritual**, a meticulously prescribed and repeated set of actions designed to achieve a specific spiritual outcome—in this case, the purification, consecration, and empowerment of the priesthood. Furthermore, the meticulous adherence to divine instruction throughout the chapter demonstrates **Divine Command and Obedience**, highlighting the paramount importance of following God's exact pattern for worship and sacred service.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 8:14 powerfully illustrates the foundational biblical truths of God's absolute and uncompromised holiness, alongside humanity's inherent need for purification and atonement to approach Him. The sin offering, strategically performed as the very first sacrifice in the priestly ordination sequence, profoundly underscores that cleansing from defilement is an indispensable prerequisite for sacred service and for maintaining any form of fellowship with a holy God. The deeply symbolic act of laying hands on the bullock highlights the critical principle of identification and substitution, where an innocent life bears the burden of another's impurity, thereby making reconciliation and restoration possible. This entire ritual, divinely commanded by God and meticulously executed by Moses, emphasizes the necessity of divine initiative in providing the means of atonement and the corresponding human obedience in receiving and participating in that provision, establishing and maintaining a relationship with the Holy One.

* [Leviticus 4:1](/leviticus/4-1 "Leviticus 4 - Laws for Sin Offerings")
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without the Shedding of Blood There Is No Forgiveness")
* [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 8:14, though detailing an ancient and specific ritual for the Levitical priesthood, offers profound and timeless insights for believers today. It serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive nature of sin and defilement that affects all humanity, and God's unwavering, uncompromised holiness that demands a perfect and complete cleansing. Just as Aaron and his sons could not simply assume their priestly roles but required a thorough purification through a prescribed sacrifice, so too our access to God is not through our own merit, good works, or self-devised religious rituals. Our access is solely through the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice provided by God Himself. This verse calls us to a humble acknowledgment of our own spiritual need for cleansing and to a profound appreciation for the immense, costly grace of our redemption. It also challenges us to consider the seriousness and reverence with which we approach God in worship, prayer, and service, recognizing that holiness, a gift received through Christ, is still a prerequisite for intimate fellowship and effective ministry. We are called to live lives that reflect the purity and consecration we have received, demonstrating a profound reverence for the God who has, by His grace, made us holy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does the necessity of a sin offering for Aaron and his sons reveal about the nature of sin and God's holiness, even for those called to sacred service?**
* **How does the act of "laying on of hands" on the bullock help us understand the concept of identification and substitution in atonement?**
* **In what ways does this ancient ritual challenge our modern understanding of how we approach God and engage in spiritual service?**
* **How can we, as believers made holy by Christ, live out the call to "be holy as He is holy" in our daily lives and service, reflecting the consecration we have received?**

### FAQ
**Why was a bullock chosen for the sin offering, and what did it signify?**

Answer: A bullock (young bull) was specifically chosen for the sin offering, particularly when offered by the high priest or on behalf of the entire congregation. This choice was significant because a bullock was a valuable and substantial animal, representing a considerable financial cost. Its high value underscored the gravity of the sin being atoned for and the seriousness of the purification required to restore the relationship with a holy God. The bullock symbolized an unblemished, costly life given as a substitute, emphasizing that dealing with sin and defilement demanded a profound and costly sacrifice, reflecting God's immense value on holiness and the deep nature of reconciliation.

**What was the purpose of Aaron and his sons laying their hands on the bullock's head?**

Answer: The act of laying hands on the bullock's head was a crucial and profoundly symbolic gesture within the sacrificial system. It signified a deep and personal identification between the offerers (Aaron and his sons) and the sacrifice. By placing their hands firmly on the animal, they were ritually and symbolically transferring their sins, defilement, and spiritual impurities onto the innocent bullock. This act underscored the substitutionary nature of the sin offering: the animal would bear the consequences of their uncleanness, allowing them to be purified and made acceptable to God for their priestly service. It was a public acknowledgment of their need for atonement and cleansing before they could minister in God's holy presence, a principle seen in various offerings, such as the burnt offering in [Leviticus 1:4](/leviticus/1-4 "Leviticus 1:4 - Laying Hands on the Burnt Offering").

**Why was the sin offering the first sacrifice in the ordination ceremony for Aaron and his sons?**

Answer: The sin offering was performed first in the ordination ceremony (Leviticus 8:14) because purification from sin and defilement was an absolute and non-negotiable prerequisite for approaching a holy God and undertaking any sacred service. Before Aaron and his sons could be consecrated, dedicated, or empowered for their divine ministry, they first had to be cleansed of any impurity—whether moral, ritual, or unintentional—that would render them unfit to stand in God's presence. This sequence establishes a foundational theological principle for all who would serve God: access to God and effective ministry always begin with atonement and purification from sin, highlighting God's uncompromised and demanding holiness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 8:14, with its vivid depiction of the sin offering as a prerequisite for priestly consecration, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate and perfect work of Jesus Christ. The temporary and repeated animal sacrifices, including the bullock offered for Aaron's purification, were but shadows pointing forward to the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") who truly takes away the sin of the world. Unlike the Levitical priests who continually offered sacrifices for their own sins and the sins of the people, Jesus, our [Great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest"), offered Himself as the spotless, eternal, and all-sufficient sacrifice (as powerfully articulated in [Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Eternal Redemption")). The symbolic transfer of sin onto the bullock finds its complete and glorious fulfillment in Christ, who, though utterly sinless, "became sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His death on the cross, Jesus perfectly cleansed us from all defilement, not merely for a limited time or for ceremonial purity, but eternally, granting us direct, confident, and unhindered access to God's holy presence ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Confidence to Enter the Most Holy Place")). He is the ultimate fulfillment of every sin offering, making us, by His grace, a "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), consecrated by His precious blood, and forever ready to serve the living God.

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

Ezekiel 43:19

And thou shalt give to the priests the Levites that be of the seed of Zadok, which approach unto me, to minister unto me, saith the Lord GOD, a young bullock for a sin offering.

Hebrews 7:26

For such an high priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

Hebrews 7:28

For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, [maketh] the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

Leviticus 16:6

And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which [is] for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house.

Isaiah 53:10

¶ Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put [him] to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong [his] days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

2 Corinthians 5:21

For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Leviticus 1:4

And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.