Leviticus 4 16

Leviticus 4:16 kjv

And the priest that is anointed shall bring of the bullock's blood to the tabernacle of the congregation:

Leviticus 4:16 nkjv

The anointed priest shall bring some of the bull's blood to the tabernacle of meeting.

Leviticus 4:16 niv

Then the anointed priest is to take some of the bull's blood into the tent of meeting.

Leviticus 4:16 esv

Then the anointed priest shall bring some of the blood of the bull into the tent of meeting,

Leviticus 4:16 nlt

The high priest will then take some of the bull's blood into the Tabernacle,

Leviticus 4 verses

Leviticus 4 16 Meaning

Leviticus 4:16 details a crucial step in the sin offering ritual performed for the inadvertent sin of the entire congregation of Israel. It states that "the anointed priest"—specifically the High Priest—must bring some of the bull's blood from the sacrificed animal into the tent of meeting. This act highlights the High Priest's unique role as mediator for the nation, ensuring propitiation and purification for corporate defilement through the application of blood within God's sanctuary.

Leviticus 4 16 Context

Leviticus chapter 4 meticulously details the laws for unintentional sin offerings, outlining different procedures based on who committed the sin: the anointed priest (vv. 1-12), the whole congregation (vv. 13-21), a leader (vv. 22-26), or a common member (vv. 27-35). Verse 16 falls within the section concerning the sin of the entire community (vv. 13-21). In such cases, because the sin affects the holiness of the entire sanctuary and its occupants, the ritual demands a higher level of purification: the High Priest (the anointed priest) must bring the blood of a bull, a significant and costly animal, into the inner sanctuary of the Tabernacle—the Holy Place (specifically "before the veil")—and sprinkle it seven times before the veil, as well as anoint the horns of the altar of fragrant incense. This differentiates it from individual sins where the blood is applied only to the horns of the altar of burnt offering in the outer court. Historically, these rituals reinforced the understanding that sin defiled not just the individual, but the community and the sacred space where God dwelt, necessitating rigorous propitiation to maintain God's presence and covenant relationship.

Leviticus 4 16 Word analysis

• And (וְ, ve): A simple conjunction linking this action to the preceding instruction for the community's sin offering (Lev 4:13-15). It shows continuity within the ritual procedure.
• the anointed priest (הַכֹּהֵן הַמָּשִׁיחַ, ha-kohen ha-mashiach): This specific designation identifies the High Priest, not just any priest. Kohen means "priest," and mashiach means "anointed one," from which "Messiah" derives. This title is highly significant because only the High Priest was specially anointed with oil (Exod 29:7, Lev 8:12), signifying his unique role and spiritual authority to represent the entire nation before God. He alone could perform these particular deep-level sanctuary purification rites, foreshadowing Christ's ultimate priestly work.
• shall bring (וְהֵבִיא, ve-hevi): A verb in the Hiphil imperfect form, indicating a causative and intentional action. It implies a solemn duty and responsibility of the priest to carry out this specific part of the ritual. The action of "bringing" emphasizes the active participation and the journey of the blood into the sacred space.
• some of the bull's blood (מִדַּם הַפָּר, mid-dam ha-par):
  • some of (מִ, mi): The prefix min means "from" or "some of." Not all the blood of the bull was brought inside; other portions were used on the outer altar (Lev 4:18). This careful distribution signifies distinct ritual purposes for different parts of the blood within the broader atonement process.
  • the bull's blood (דַּם הַפָּר, dam ha-par): Dam is "blood," ha-par is "the bull." The bull was the prescribed sacrifice for the high priest's sin (Lev 4:3) and for the whole congregation's sin (Lev 4:14), signifying a significant, large offering. Blood is explicitly designated as the means of atonement in Lev 17:11 because "the life of the flesh is in the blood." The life of the substitute is given to cover the sin.
• to the tent of meeting (אֶל אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, el ohel mo'ed):
  • to (אֶל, el): A preposition indicating movement toward a specific place.
  • the tent of meeting (ohel mo'ed): This refers to the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary where God met with His people. While the phrase ohel mo'ed can broadly encompass the entire complex, in this context (and further clarified by Lev 4:17 which speaks of putting blood on the horns of the altar of incense inside), it specifically refers to the Holy Place (the main compartment of the Tabernacle, immediately outside the Most Holy Place). This indicates a deep-level cleansing required for corporate sin, taking the sacrificial element closer to God's immediate presence than ordinary sin offerings. This sacred space represented God's dwelling among His people, thus its purification was paramount.

Leviticus 4 16 Bonus section

• Significance of "Anointed Priest": The special anointing with oil consecrated the High Priest for his sacred office (Exod 29:7, Lev 8:12). This act infused him with the necessary divine authority and enablement to carry out these crucial intercessory and purification rites, making him distinct from all other priests. His sin, or the sin of the community under his spiritual leadership, carried profound weight, requiring this intense ritual.
• Bull as Sacrifice: The choice of a young bull, a valuable and potent animal, as the sacrifice for the High Priest and the congregation (Lev 4:3, 14) emphasized the significant cost and gravity of corporate sin. It visually represented the immense need for a powerful atoning sacrifice to address widespread defilement.
• Beyond the Veil (Holy Place vs. Most Holy Place): While the blood is brought "to the tent of meeting" and applied "before the veil" (Lev 4:6), this refers to the Holy Place, not the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies). The High Priest only entered the Most Holy Place, behind the veil, with blood on the Day of Atonement (Lev 16), symbolizing an even deeper level of propitiation and purification for the gravest sins of the year. Leviticus 4:16, therefore, shows a significant, but not ultimate, step into the sanctuary.

Leviticus 4 16 Commentary

Leviticus 4:16 pinpoints a pivotal action in the purification of the Tabernacle and the reconciliation of the community with God, following an inadvertent corporate sin. The focus is squarely on the unique responsibility and mediatorial role of the "anointed priest" or High Priest. Unlike offerings for individual sins, where blood was applied only to the altar in the outer courtyard, the High Priest's bringing of the bull's blood "to the tent of meeting"—specifically the Holy Place—underscored the gravity and extensive defilement caused by the congregation's error. This ritual served as a symbolic removal of the pollution that had impacted God's dwelling place among His people. The lifeblood of the innocent bull, applied intimately within the sanctuary, functioned as a divinely ordained means of atonement, foreshadowing the ultimate, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. As the true High Priest (Heb 9:11), Christ, by His own blood, entered not an earthly sanctuary but the heavenly presence of God (Heb 9:24), providing a complete, once-for-all cleansing for all sins, making direct access to God possible for believers. The Levitical ritual, therefore, highlighted the absolute necessity of sacrificial blood for cleansing sin and underscored the role of a consecrated mediator, imperfectly prefiguring the New Covenant reality in Christ.