Leviticus 1 4

Leviticus 1:4 kjv

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.

Leviticus 1:4 nkjv

Then he shall put his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him.

Leviticus 1:4 niv

You are to lay your hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on your behalf to make atonement for you.

Leviticus 1:4 esv

He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.

Leviticus 1:4 nlt

Lay your hand on the animal's head, and the LORD will accept its death in your place to purify you, making you right with him.

Leviticus 1 verses

Leviticus 1 4 Meaning

Leviticus 1:4 describes the essential act of the worshipper in presenting a burnt offering (Olah). The act of the offerer laying their hand firmly on the head of the sacrificial animal symbolizes a profound identification and transfer. This direct, personal connection establishes the animal as the offerer's representative, ensuring that the offering, by divine appointment, is "accepted" by God on the offerer's behalf. This acceptance facilitates "atonement," which covers, purges, or expiates the individual's sins, enabling reconciliation and restoring their right standing before a holy God. It highlights the principles of substitution and vicarious sacrifice.

Leviticus 1 4 Context

Leviticus 1 is situated immediately after the completion and consecration of the Tabernacle in Exodus. With God now dwelling among His people in this sacred space, Leviticus provides the intricate divine instructions on how a sinful people can properly approach a holy God. The burnt offering (olah) is presented first among the sacrifices because it addresses the most fundamental need: providing a way for individuals to approach God generally, for the reconciliation of general sins or uncleanness, and often as an expression of complete devotion. Leviticus 1:4 describes a pivotal moment in this offering, occurring after the worshipper has brought the animal to the entrance of the tent of meeting. This personal, physical act of placing the hand signifies the worshipper's deep involvement and understanding of the sacrifice as their substitute before the Lord, in a system where divine atonement was only available through specific, blood-based provisions. This distinguishes Israelite worship from pagan practices, which often lacked such clear identification and true atonement, focusing instead on appeasing arbitrary deities.

Leviticus 1 4 Word analysis

• "And he shall put": Hebrew wə·sā·maḵ (וְסָמַךְ), from the verb samakh (סָמַךְ). This does not imply a mere gentle touch but signifies leaning heavily, resting one's full weight, or pressing firmly. It suggests a decisive and personal act of transfer or identification, a deliberate placing of responsibility or being sustained by.
• "his hand": Hebrew yad (יָד). The hand symbolizes not only physical action but also personal agency, power, and representation. The offerer is not a passive observer but an active participant in this critical moment.
• "upon the head": Hebrew rō’š (רֹאשׁ). The head represents the whole being of the animal—its life, vitality, and entirety. Laying the hand on the head indicates the offerer's identification with the animal as a complete substitute, symbolizing that the entirety of the person (or their sins) is being represented by the entire animal.
• "of the burnt offering": Hebrew ʿōlāh (עֹלָה). From the verb ʿālāh (עָלָה), "to ascend" or "to go up." This sacrifice was unique as it was entirely consumed by fire on the altar, ascending as smoke towards God. It symbolized complete dedication and consecration to God, and general atonement for unintentional sins, or the worshipper’s total devotion and acceptable fellowship. Unlike other offerings, no part was eaten by priests or offerers, signifying it was entirely God's portion.
• "and it shall be accepted": Hebrew lə·rā·ṣō·wn (לְרָצוֹן), meaning "for acceptance" or "for favor." From the noun ratzon (רָצוֹן), "will, pleasure, favor, acceptance." This emphasizes that the efficacy of the offering is not inherent in the ritual itself but contingent upon God's gracious will and approval. It signifies that God looks favorably upon the sacrifice presented in the prescribed way, making it effective for its intended purpose.
• "for him": This phrase directly establishes the substitutionary nature of the offering. The animal stands in the place of the worshipper; the acceptance and atonement are applied personally to the offerer.
• "to make atonement": Hebrew lə·ḵap·pêr (לְכַפֵּר), from the verb kā·p̄ar (כָּפַר). This pivotal term means "to cover," "to purge," "to make expiation," or "to make propitiation." It denotes the removal of guilt, cleansing from impurity, and the restoration of a relationship with God that was hindered by sin. It’s God's act of cleansing, allowing His holiness and justice to be satisfied while making forgiveness possible.
• "for him": Reiterates the personal benefit and the object of the atonement, indicating that the atonement is made on behalf of the individual presenting the sacrifice.

Words-group analysis

• "And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering": This composite action visually and physically expresses the profound concept of identification and imputation. The offerer personally lays claim to, and symbolically transfers their sins or identifies their complete surrender and dedication with, the innocent animal that will be sacrificed. It is the human act that links the offerer to the divine provision of the sacrifice.
• "and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him": This clause emphasizes the divine dimension and purpose of the sacrifice. The acceptance is God's initiative and grace, not merely a result of human ritual. The dual "for him" highlights the vicarious nature – the offering is God's divinely appointed means of cleansing and reconciliation specifically for the offerer, covering their moral failings and restoring them to fellowship.

Leviticus 1 4 Bonus section

• Typological Significance: Leviticus 1:4 provides a profound type for understanding the Person and work of Christ. The identification through hand-laying foreshadows Christ, the innocent Lamb of God, taking on humanity's sin and guilt (Isa 53). His sacrifice on the cross was fully consumed by divine justice, resulting in God's acceptance and making perfect, once-for-all atonement for those who believe. The "acceptable for him" resonates with Christ being the "Beloved Son" in whom God is "well pleased" (Matt 3:17).
• Heart over Ritual: While the physical act of sacrifice was essential, the prophetic books often reminded Israel that outer rituals without inner repentance and faith were an abomination (Isa 1:11-17; Ps 51:16-17; Jer 7:22-23). The act in Leviticus 1:4 implicitly assumes a humble and repentant heart behind the offering.
• Voluntary Act: The individual bringing the burnt offering typically did so voluntarily, indicating a desire to draw near to God and have general sins covered or to express devotion, contrasting with obligatory sin offerings for specific trespasses. This underscores the personal investment and intention of the worshipper.
• A Means of Access: This verse is part of God's revealed method for His people to maintain a relationship with Him despite their sinfulness. It teaches that approach to a holy God is only possible through divine provision for sin.

Leviticus 1 4 Commentary

Leviticus 1:4 succinctly encapsulates the foundational principles of substitutionary sacrifice under the Old Covenant. The act of laying the hand is not a mere formality but a visceral representation of the offerer identifying their person, their sin, or their total devotion with the blameless animal. It underscores that divine forgiveness and reconciliation with a holy God are not automatic, nor are they earned through human effort, but are graciously provided through an appointed means involving sacrifice. The burnt offering, being entirely consumed, speaks of complete surrender and devotion, symbolizing general atonement for unintended transgressions and purification that restores fellowship. While provisional and symbolic, these Levitical offerings profoundly prefigure the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His spotless life, His willing identification with humanity's sin on the cross, and His complete self-offering as the "acceptable sacrifice" fully achieved what the shadows of the burnt offering pointed towards. He became sin for us (2 Cor 5:21), making full and final atonement, through His blood, thereby making us acceptable to God in Him (Eph 1:6) and bringing perfect reconciliation for those who put their faith in Him. The requirement of a "pleasing aroma" and "acceptance" from God reinforces that the effectiveness comes from God's decree, not from the ritual itself.