Leviticus 4 12

Leviticus 4:12 kjv

Even the whole bullock shall he carry forth without the camp unto a clean place, where the ashes are poured out, and burn him on the wood with fire: where the ashes are poured out shall he be burnt.

Leviticus 4:12 nkjv

the whole bull he shall carry outside the camp to a clean place, where the ashes are poured out, and burn it on wood with fire; where the ashes are poured out it shall be burned.

Leviticus 4:12 niv

that is, all the rest of the bull?he must take outside the camp to a place ceremonially clean, where the ashes are thrown, and burn it there in a wood fire on the ash heap.

Leviticus 4:12 esv

all the rest of the bull ? he shall carry outside the camp to a clean place, to the ash heap, and shall burn it up on a fire of wood. On the ash heap it shall be burned up.

Leviticus 4:12 nlt

and carry it away to a place outside the camp that is ceremonially clean, the place where the ashes are dumped. There, on the ash heap, he will burn it on a wood fire.

Leviticus 4 verses

Leviticus 4 12 Meaning

Leviticus 4:12 describes the ritualistic disposal of specific sin offerings—those made for the anointed priest or the whole congregation. It mandates that the entire bull, representing the sin offering, must be carried outside the camp to a ritually designated "clean place" where ashes from other sacrifices are discarded. There, it is to be completely burned on wood with fire. This act symbolizes the complete removal and consumption of profound sin's defilement, ensuring the camp remains holy and purified before God.

Leviticus 4 12 Context

Leviticus chapter 4 outlines the protocol for the chatta't (sin offering) when sins of unintentional commission or negligence occur. The severity and type of sacrifice, along with its specific ritualistic treatment, depend on the identity of the sinning party: the anointed priest (Lv 4:3-12), the whole congregation (Lv 4:13-21), a ruler (Lv 4:22-26), or a common person (Lv 4:27-35). Verses 11-12 specifically detail the unique disposal of the sin offering for the high priest and the congregation. Unlike the sin offerings for rulers or common individuals, which could be partially eaten by the priests, the blood of the priest's and congregation's offerings was brought into the Tent of Meeting to make atonement within the Holy Place (Lv 4:5-7, 16-18). Because its blood had entered the holiest part of the Tabernacle to atone for sins of significant defilement, the remainder of the offering could not be eaten; it became supremely "unclean" in terms of ritual contact and had to be completely removed from the sacred camp and utterly destroyed by fire. This highlighted the pervasive nature of these particular sins, demanding a complete symbolic severance. Historically, this reinforced the crucial distinction between Israel's consecrated living space, under the protective presence of Yahweh, and the profane space outside, into which sin and impurity had to be expunged.

Leviticus 4 12 Word analysis

• Even the whole bull (כֹּל הַפָּר - kol happar):

  • "whole" (kol): Emphasizes totality. It is not just a part, but the entire carcass (hide, flesh, intestines, dung – specified in Lv 4:11) that must be removed. This signifies a complete purging of the sin and its effects.
  • "bull" (par): Refers to a male bovine, specifically prescribed for the sin offering of the high priest and the congregation (Lv 4:3, 14). It was a valuable and large animal, indicating the gravity of the sin being atoned for.

• shall he carry forth (וְהוֹצִיא - v'hotzi):

  • Means "he shall bring out," "cause to go forth." The verb emphasizes deliberate action to remove. This is not passive disposal but an active, commanded removal. It highlights the principle of separation: sin, especially of this magnitude, cannot remain within the sacred precincts.

• without the camp (מִחוּץ לַמַּחֲנֶה - michutz lamachaneh):

  • A critical theological and geographical term. "The camp" referred to the Israelite encampment surrounding the Tabernacle, which was considered holy because God's presence dwelt within it. Being "outside the camp" symbolized a place of impurity, exclusion, and even judgment. Severe uncleanness, disease (e.g., leprosy), and capital punishment were also dealt with "outside the camp." Here, it signifies that the sin, represented by the carcass, must be fully expunged from God's holy dwelling.

• unto a clean place (אֶל-מָקוֹם טָהוֹר - el maqom tahor):

  • Paradoxical yet significant. Though it receives the ultimate ritual impurity (the sin-laden carcass), the place itself must be designated "clean" for this purpose. It implies that even the disposal of impurity operates within a divine, structured order, not chaotic abandon. It’s a ritually acceptable, non-defiling site for handling defiling matter.

• where the ashes are poured out (אֶל-מִשְׁפַּךְ הַדֶּשֶׁן - el mishpach hadeshen):

  • Literally, "to the pouring out of the fat/ashes." This specific phrase indicates a designated dumping ground outside the camp for the fatty ash residues of other sacrifices that were consumed on the altar. It’s not just "any" place outside the camp but the prescribed, accustomed spot for discarded sacrificial remains. It highlights continuity in the proper disposal of holy/sacred matters, even after their consumption by fire.

• and burn him on the wood with fire (וְשָׂרַף אֹתוֹ עַל-הָעֵצִים בָּאֵשׁ - v'saraf oto al ha'etzim ba'esh):

  • "burn him" (v'saraf oto): Signifies complete consumption and destruction by fire. In the Old Testament, fire often symbolizes judgment, purification, or transformation. Here, it is primarily consumption of the sin-bearer, removing its very substance from existence.
  • "on the wood with fire" (al ha'etzim ba'esh): Standard method for cremation, indicating a thorough and complete burning. This emphasizes the utter destruction and non-retrievable nature of what is being offered/disposed.

• where the ashes are poured out shall he be burnt:

  • Repetition for emphasis, underscoring the specific location for the burning, the designated clean place outside the camp. This reiteration solidifies the ritual requirement and leaves no ambiguity about the site of consumption.

Words-group analysis:

• "Even the whole bull shall he carry forth without the camp": This phrase emphasizes total, commanded removal of the offering (representing sin) from the holy presence of God within the Israelite community. The bull "bore" the sin, and thus, its contaminated remains had to be expelled entirely.

• "unto a clean place, where the ashes are poured out": This pair describes the designated disposal site. It highlights the careful ritual separation even in dealing with impurity, emphasizing divine order over chaotic removal. It's a place prepared for impurity but maintained with ritual integrity.

• "and burn him on the wood with fire: where the ashes are poured out shall he be burnt": The instruction for complete destruction by fire, reiterated with the location, underscores the finality and totality of the atonement in cleansing the camp. It signifies that the sin and its vehicle are utterly consumed and cannot defile the community further. The act ensures that nothing remains that could represent the high priest or congregation's profound sin within God's consecrated dwelling.

Leviticus 4 12 Bonus section

The specific requirements in Leviticus 4:12, for the most serious sin offerings, underscore the substitutional nature of these sacrifices. The animal absorbed the spiritual defilement of the priest or the congregation, becoming so thoroughly identified with their sin that it could not be tolerated within the holy boundaries of the camp. The "clean place" for the ashes being outside the camp highlights that even sacred refuse—the remains of atonement—was deemed too ritually potent to remain within the general confines of the clean area. This emphasized the transcendent holiness of Yahweh and the pervasive uncleanness that sin introduces, even when atoned for. The act of burning was not merely disposal but consumption, signaling that the entire burden of sin was transferred, judged, and annihilated through the offering. This principle establishes a profound theological foundation for understanding vicarious atonement, where an innocent substitute fully endures the consequence of sin outside the community to make way for the community's reconciliation with a holy God.

Leviticus 4 12 Commentary

Leviticus 4:12 lays out a crucial aspect of the sin offering for the highest levels of sin—that of the anointed priest or the entire congregation. Unlike offerings that could be partially consumed by priests, the blood of this offering entered the Most Holy Place for atonement (or near it in the Holy Place, depending on the offering), signifying a deep defilement that required absolute separation. The full carcass of the bull was not merely discarded; it was ritually carried "outside the camp." This spatial displacement was profoundly symbolic, representing the total expulsion of the weighty sin from God's holy dwelling amidst His people.

The location, "unto a clean place, where the ashes are poured out," underscores a paradox. A "clean place" for a highly defiled object points to the meticulousness of God's purity laws. Even impurity had a designated, orderly disposal site, reflecting that God's governance extends even to the handling of sin's effects. The act of completely burning the bull signified absolute destruction and non-retrievability, an irrevocable cleansing. It showcased that such severe sins could not be 'digested' or partially retained by the priests, but had to be utterly consumed, emphasizing God’s intolerance for pervasive defilement in His presence. This ritual dramatically taught the people the magnitude of their sin and the comprehensive nature of the atonement provided. The ultimate significance, as later revealed in the New Testament (Hebrews 13:11-13), is how this ritual foreshadowed Jesus Christ's sacrifice. He, as our ultimate Sin Offering, suffered "outside the gate" of Jerusalem, taking on our defilement and enduring rejection, bearing our shame and sin away from God's people, and ultimately consumed by the fire of divine judgment against sin, to establish a complete and final atonement.