Leviticus 4:29 - He shall lay his hand on the head of the sin offering, and kill the sin offering in the place of burnt offering.

Generated Verse: Leviticus 4:29

What does "Leviticus 4:29" mean?


Leviticus 4:29 describes part of the ritual for a sin offering, specifically when someone from the common people has unintentionally sinned. Let's break down the meaning:

"He shall lay his hand on the head of the sin offering...": This is a symbolic act of identification and transfer. The person offering the sacrifice places their hand on the head of the animal (typically a female goat or lamb, depending on their financial status). This signifies that they are identifying with the animal, confessing their sin, and symbolically transferring their guilt and the consequences of their sin onto the innocent animal. The animal is becoming a substitute for the individual.

"...and kill the sin offering in the place of burnt offering.": This part specifies where the animal is to be sacrificed. The "place of the burnt offering" is a designated area within the courtyard of the Tabernacle (or later, the Temple) where sacrifices were regularly offered. Killing the sin offering in this prominent, holy location underscores the seriousness of the sin and the need for atonement. The location also indicates a link between the sin offering and the burnt offering, which was an offering of complete devotion to God. Although distinct, they worked together in the process of reconciliation with God.

In essence, the verse describes a critical step in the sin offering ritual. It involves:

Identification and Transfer: The sinner identifies with the sacrificial animal, transferring their guilt to it.
Substitution: The animal becomes a substitute, bearing the consequences of the sinner's transgression.
Atonement: The sacrifice, performed in a designated holy place, is a means of seeking atonement (making amends) for the sin and restoring the broken relationship with God.

This ritual highlights the concepts of sin, guilt, substitutionary sacrifice, and the process of seeking forgiveness and reconciliation with God in the Old Testament. The sin offering served as a way for individuals to acknowledge their sins and seek God's mercy and cleansing.

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