Leviticus 4 35

Leviticus 4:35 kjv

And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat of the lamb is taken away from the sacrifice of the peace offerings; and the priest shall burn them upon the altar, according to the offerings made by fire unto the LORD: and the priest shall make an atonement for his sin that he hath committed, and it shall be forgiven him.

Leviticus 4:35 nkjv

He shall remove all its fat, as the fat of the lamb is removed from the sacrifice of the peace offering. Then the priest shall burn it on the altar, according to the offerings made by fire to the LORD. So the priest shall make atonement for his sin that he has committed, and it shall be forgiven him.

Leviticus 4:35 niv

They shall remove all the fat, just as the fat is removed from the lamb of the fellowship offering, and the priest shall burn it on the altar on top of the food offerings presented to the LORD. In this way the priest will make atonement for them for the sin they have committed, and they will be forgiven.

Leviticus 4:35 esv

And all its fat he shall remove as the fat of the lamb is removed from the sacrifice of peace offerings, and the priest shall burn it on the altar, on top of the LORD's food offerings. And the priest shall make atonement for him for the sin which he has committed, and he shall be forgiven.

Leviticus 4:35 nlt

Then he must remove all the sheep's fat, just as he does with the fat of a sheep presented as a peace offering. He will burn the fat on the altar on top of the special gifts presented to the LORD. Through this process, the priest will purify the people from their sin, making them right with the LORD, and they will be forgiven.

Leviticus 4 verses

Leviticus 4 35 Meaning

Leviticus 4:35 describes the concluding actions for a common person's sin offering for an unintentional transgression. The passage mandates the removal of all fat from the offering, specifying that this must be done in the same manner as from a peace offering. The priest is then to burn this fat on the altar as a fire offering to the Lord. Through these specific acts of worship and obedience, the priest makes atonement for the individual's sin, resulting in their forgiveness by God. This ritual underscores God's meticulous instructions for approaching Him, His provision for human imperfection, and the critical role of sacrifice and mediation in restoring a right relationship.

Leviticus 4 35 Context

Leviticus Chapter 4 details specific regulations for various sin offerings, primarily for unintentional sins (sins committed "unwittingly" or "ignorantly," as opposed to presumptuous or deliberate sins). Each section specifies the type of animal, the precise rituals, and the consequences of atonement. Verse 35 is part of the instructions for a "common person" (also translated "one of the common people" or "any ordinary person") who sins unintentionally. The chapter proceeds in descending order of social status or responsibility: first, the high priest (verses 1-12), then the whole congregation (verses 13-21), followed by a ruler (verses 22-26), and finally, an individual common person (verses 27-35). This structured presentation highlights God's justice and provision for sin across all strata of society, emphasizing that no one is exempt from accountability before His holiness, yet forgiveness is equally accessible through His ordained means. The instructions for handling the fat parallel those for a peace offering (Lev 3), signifying that even in addressing sin, the prospect of peace and fellowship with God is implied once atonement is achieved.

Leviticus 4 35 Word analysis

• And he shall remove (וְהֵסִיר – vəhesir): From the root סוּר (sur), meaning "to turn aside, take away, remove." This indicates a deliberate, prescribed action of separating. In this context, it refers to the removal of the fat, essential for preparing the offering according to divine instruction. The action emphasizes obedience and adherence to the sacred ritual.
• All its fat (כָּל־חֶלְבּוֹ – kol-ḥelbo): Kol means "all," and chelev refers to the choicest, richest, or fattest part, not merely fatty tissue. In ancient Israelite culture, fat was considered the richest and most valuable part of an animal, thus intrinsically belonging to God (Lev 3:16). By dedicating it wholly to Him through burning, the offerer acknowledged God's supreme ownership and provided a symbol of devotion. This emphasized giving one's best to God and purifying the offering.
• as the fat is removed from the lamb of the peace offering: This clause draws a direct parallel to the rituals described in Leviticus chapter 3. The peace offering (zevach shelamim) symbolized reconciliation, fellowship, and well-being with God. The instruction to handle the fat in the same way for a sin offering implies that even in seeking atonement for sin, the ultimate goal is to restore that broken peace and fellowship with the Lord. It ensures consistency and adherence to established sacrificial purity.
• and the priest shall burn it (וְהִקְטִיר – vəhiqṭir): From the root קָטַר (qatar), meaning "to send up in smoke, to burn incense, to make a sacrifice burn." This is a priestly function, signifying that the priest acts as a mediator, causing the offering to ascend to God as an acceptable sacrifice. It signifies devotion, acceptance, and the transformation of the physical into the spiritual realm through fire.
• on the altar (הַמִּזְבֵּחַ – hammizbeach): The altar of burnt offering, a central piece of furniture in the Tabernacle/Temple. It was the sacred place where God met His people through sacrifice, a focal point for atonement, and where God consumed the offerings by fire, symbolizing His acceptance.
• according to the offerings made by fire to the Lord (אִשֵּׁה לַיהוָה – ishsheh l'YHWH): Ishsheh broadly means "fire offering," often carrying the connotation of a "food offering" to God. This term highlights that the sacrifice, when consumed by fire, ascended as a "sweet aroma" to the Lord (e.g., Exod 29:18, Lev 1:9), signifying divine pleasure and acceptance of the act of worship and obedience. The phrase "to the Lord" emphasizes that the entire act is directed towards and for the satisfaction of Yahweh alone, contrasting with idolatrous practices.
• and the priest shall make atonement for him (וְכִפֶּר עָלָיו הַכֹּהֵן – vəchipper ‘alav hakkohen): From the verb כָּפַר (kaphar), "to cover, make atonement, purge, reconcile." This is the pivotal act performed by the priest. Atonement involved "covering" the sin, ritually cleansing or purifying the individual, thereby bridging the gap between a holy God and a sinful human. This act did not erase the memory of the sin but allowed for fellowship to be restored despite it.
• for his sin (מֵחַטָּאתוֹ – meḥaṭṭa'to): Chatta'ah refers to "sin," primarily in the sense of "missing the mark" or falling short of God's perfect standard. In Leviticus 4, it specifically refers to unintentional sins, highlighting that even sins of ignorance or oversight separate one from God and require purification and reconciliation.
• and he shall be forgiven (וְנִסְלַח לוֹ – vənislaḥ lo): From the verb סָלַח (salach), meaning "to forgive, pardon, remit." This is the ultimate outcome and the divine response to the properly performed ritual. It is a divine declaration of pardon, showing God's grace. The passive voice ("he shall be forgiven") indicates that forgiveness originates directly from God Himself, not from the ritual alone, but as a response to obedience through the prescribed means.

Word Groups/Phrases Analysis:

• "all its fat, as the fat is removed from the lamb of the peace offering": This phrase emphasizes God's claim on the very best of the sacrifice and signifies a connection between the sin offering and the peace offering. While one addresses sin's disruption, the other points to the desired outcome: restored peace and fellowship. It underlines that despite the nature of the sin, God still desires fellowship with His people, contingent on proper atonement.
• "the priest shall burn it on the altar according to the offerings made by fire to the Lord": This segment highlights the priestly mediation and the divine acceptance. The "burning" symbolizes purification, complete surrender, and transformation, ascending to God. The phrase "offerings made by fire to the Lord" emphasizes the sacrificial system's direct, exclusive devotion to Yahweh, distinguishing Israelite worship from pagan rituals.
• "the priest shall make atonement for him for his sin, and he shall be forgiven": This core statement reveals the purpose and outcome of the ritual. The priest's act of atonement facilitates God's act of forgiveness. It shows God's gracious provision to reconcile sinful humanity to Himself, not just overlooking sin but addressing it through a divinely appointed system that culminates in divine pardon. It illustrates the sequence of divine requirements, priestly mediation, and ultimate divine mercy.

Leviticus 4 35 Bonus section

• Distinction between Sins: The detailed provisions in Leviticus 4 for unintentional sin (sins of ignorance or oversight) stand in contrast to the dire consequences for deliberate, high-handed sins (e.g., Num 15:30-31), for which there was often no prescribed animal sacrifice under the Old Covenant, emphasizing the gravity of defiance.
• The Shadow and the Substance: The animal sacrifices in Leviticus, including the one described in verse 35, served as types and shadows (Heb 10:1) of the ultimate reality to come in Jesus Christ. While they could cover ceremonial impurity and provide temporary atonement for certain sins, they could not fundamentally take away sins or perfect the conscience. They served as a divine pedagogy, teaching Israel about the holiness of God, the seriousness of sin, and the necessity of shed blood for redemption.
• Symbolism of Fire: Fire on the altar, consuming the sacrifice, frequently symbolizes God's presence, judgment, and purification, as well as divine acceptance when an offering ascends as a "sweet aroma." It speaks to the seriousness of sin that necessitates such an act for cleansing.
• Universality of Sin: The descending order of recipients for sin offerings in Leviticus 4 (priest, congregation, ruler, common person) powerfully conveys that sin is universal; no one, regardless of status or role, is exempt from needing atonement and God's forgiveness.

Leviticus 4 35 Commentary

Leviticus 4:35 encapsulates the core principle of the Old Testament sin offering for a common Israelite who unintentionally transgresses God's commandments. It reveals God's meticulous standard of holiness and His compassionate provision for human sinfulness, even in ignorance. The removal and burning of the choicest fat underscore that God demands and deserves the best, symbolizing complete surrender and dedication. This specific procedure, paralleled with the peace offering, hints that even when sin has broken fellowship, the divinely prescribed atonement leads to a renewed state of peace and right relationship with God. The priest's mediatorial role is crucial; he is the divinely appointed agent who facilitates the "covering" of sin, which then prompts God's divine act of forgiveness. This system, while efficacious for its time, perpetually pointed towards a more complete and perfect atonement. It set the stage for understanding the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who, as the Lamb of God and our High Priest, not only "covered" sin but "took it away" permanently, granting complete forgiveness and eternal reconciliation to all who believe. The detailed process reflects God's ordered and righteous approach to dealing with the immense problem of sin.