Leviticus 4:31 - All its fat he shall take away, like the fat is taken away from the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the priest shall burn it on the altar for a pleasant aroma to Yahweh; and the priest shall make atonement for him, and he will be forgiven.
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What does "Leviticus 4:31" mean?
This verse from Leviticus 4:31 describes a specific ritual for dealing with unintentional sin. Let's break it down piece by piece:
"All its fat he shall take away, like the fat is taken away from the sacrifice of peace offerings...": The animal sacrifice is not a whole animal burnt entirely. Specific parts, particularly the fat, are designated for burning on the altar. The phrase connects this to the way fat is handled in peace offerings (also called fellowship offerings). This fat was considered a choice portion, belonging to God.
"...and the priest shall burn it on the altar for a pleasant aroma to Yahweh...": Burning the fat on the altar created a "pleasant aroma" (or "sweet savor") to Yahweh. This is a symbolic act. It wasn't literally about God enjoying the smell, but rather a way of showing reverence, dedication, and the offering of the best part to God. The "pleasant aroma" phrase often accompanies sacrifices that are pleasing to God.
"...and the priest shall make atonement for him, and he will be forgiven.": The ultimate purpose of the ritual is atonement. Through the offering and the priest's actions, the person who unintentionally sinned receives forgiveness from Yahweh. "Atonement" implies covering or cleansing the sin, restoring the relationship between the person and God.
In Summary:
This verse describes a ritual act of offering specific portions of an animal sacrifice, particularly the fat, on the altar. This act is performed by the priest and is intended to create a "pleasant aroma" to Yahweh. The sacrifice, coupled with the priest's actions, serves as a means of atonement for unintentional sin, resulting in forgiveness for the individual.
Important Considerations:
Context is Key: This verse is part of a larger set of instructions regarding various types of sin offerings. The specific animal to be offered (in this case, a female goat or sheep) depends on who committed the sin. (see Leviticus 4:28 for the context of the verse)
Unintentional Sin: The sin offering prescribed in Leviticus 4 is for unintentional sins – mistakes or acts committed unknowingly, rather than deliberate defiance of God's law.
Symbolic Meaning: The entire sacrificial system is highly symbolic. It's not just a literal act of killing an animal. The animal's life is offered in place of the sinner's, representing the seriousness of sin and the need for cleansing. The fat represents the best portion being given to God.
Fulfillment in Christ: In Christian theology, the sacrificial system of the Old Testament is seen as a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who is seen as the ultimate atonement for sin. (Hebrews 10)
Leviticus 4:31 - All its fat he shall take away, like the fat is taken away from the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the priest shall burn it on the altar for a pleasant aroma to Yahweh; and the priest shall make atonement for him, and he will be forgiven.
What does "Leviticus 4:31" mean?
This verse from Leviticus 4:31 describes a specific ritual for dealing with unintentional sin. Let's break it down piece by piece:
"All its fat he shall take away, like the fat is taken away from the sacrifice of peace offerings...": The animal sacrifice is not a whole animal burnt entirely. Specific parts, particularly the fat, are designated for burning on the altar. The phrase connects this to the way fat is handled in peace offerings (also called fellowship offerings). This fat was considered a choice portion, belonging to God.
"...and the priest shall burn it on the altar for a pleasant aroma to Yahweh...": Burning the fat on the altar created a "pleasant aroma" (or "sweet savor") to Yahweh. This is a symbolic act. It wasn't literally about God enjoying the smell, but rather a way of showing reverence, dedication, and the offering of the best part to God. The "pleasant aroma" phrase often accompanies sacrifices that are pleasing to God.
"...and the priest shall make atonement for him, and he will be forgiven.": The ultimate purpose of the ritual is atonement. Through the offering and the priest's actions, the person who unintentionally sinned receives forgiveness from Yahweh. "Atonement" implies covering or cleansing the sin, restoring the relationship between the person and God.
In Summary:
This verse describes a ritual act of offering specific portions of an animal sacrifice, particularly the fat, on the altar. This act is performed by the priest and is intended to create a "pleasant aroma" to Yahweh. The sacrifice, coupled with the priest's actions, serves as a means of atonement for unintentional sin, resulting in forgiveness for the individual.
Important Considerations:
Context is Key: This verse is part of a larger set of instructions regarding various types of sin offerings. The specific animal to be offered (in this case, a female goat or sheep) depends on who committed the sin. (see Leviticus 4:28 for the context of the verse)
Unintentional Sin: The sin offering prescribed in Leviticus 4 is for unintentional sins – mistakes or acts committed unknowingly, rather than deliberate defiance of God's law.
Symbolic Meaning: The entire sacrificial system is highly symbolic. It's not just a literal act of killing an animal. The animal's life is offered in place of the sinner's, representing the seriousness of sin and the need for cleansing. The fat represents the best portion being given to God.
Fulfillment in Christ: In Christian theology, the sacrificial system of the Old Testament is seen as a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who is seen as the ultimate atonement for sin. (Hebrews 10)