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Then the bull shall be killed before the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/leviticus/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before the LORD, and the bull shall be slaughtered before the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/leviticus/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8216Then the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before the LORD, and the bull shall be slain before the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/leviticus/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘Then the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before the LORD, and the bull shall be slain before the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/leviticus/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before Yahweh, and the bull shall be slaughtered before Yahweh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/leviticus/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before the LORD [to transfer symbolically the congregation’s guilt to the sacrifice], and they shall kill the bull before the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/leviticus/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The elders of the community are to lay their hands on the bull’s head before the LORD and it is to be slaughtered before the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/leviticus/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The elders of the community are to lay their hands on the bull&#8217s head before the LORD and it is to be slaughtered before the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/leviticus/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands upon the head of the bullock before Jehovah; and the bullock shall be killed before Jehovah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/leviticus/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />where your tribal leaders will lay their hands on its head, before having it killed in my presence. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/leviticus/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands upon the head of the bullock before the LORD: and the bullock shall be killed before the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/leviticus/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The leaders of the congregation will place their hands on the bull's head in the LORD's presence. One of them will slaughter it in the LORD's presence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/leviticus/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />the leaders of the community shall put their hands on its head, and it shall be killed there. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/leviticus/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />where the elders of the community are to lay their hands on the head of the bull in the LORD's presence and slaughter it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/leviticus/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />the elders of the congregation must lay their hands on the head of the bull before the LORD, and someone must slaughter the bull before the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/leviticus/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before the LORD; and the bull shall be killed before the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/leviticus/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands upon the head of the bullock before the LORD: and the bullock shall be killed before the LORD.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/leviticus/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The elders of the congregation are to lay their hands on the bull’s head before the LORD, and it shall be slaughtered before the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/leviticus/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before Yahweh; and the bull shall be killed before Yahweh. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/leviticus/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and the elderly of the congregation have laid their hands on the head of the bullock, before YHWH, and [one] has slaughtered the bullock before YHWH.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/leviticus/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and the elders of the company have laid their hands on the head of the bullock, before Jehovah, and one hath slaughtered the bullock before Jehovah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/leviticus/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the old men of the assembly placed their hands upon the head of the bullock before Jehovah: and slaughtered the bullock before Jehovah.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/leviticus/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the ancients of the people shall put their hands upon the head thereof before the Lord. And the calf being immolated in the sight of the Lord, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/leviticus/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And the elders of the people shall place their hands upon its head in the sight of the Lord. And when the calf has been immolated in the sight of the Lord,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/leviticus/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The elders of the community shall lay their hands on the bull’s head before the LORD. When the bull has been slaughtered before the LORD,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/leviticus/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before the LORD, and the bull shall be slaughtered before the LORD.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/leviticus/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands upon the head of the bullock before the LORD and the bullock shall be killed before the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/leviticus/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the Elders of the Assembly shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before LORD JEHOVAH and they shall kill the bull before LORD JEHOVAH.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/leviticus/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands upon the head of the bullock before the LORD; and the bullock shall be killed before the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/leviticus/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the calf before the Lord, and they shall slay the calf before the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/leviticus/4-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NWs_V1RyMFo?start=604" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/leviticus/4.htm">Laws for Sin Offerings</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">14</span>when they become aware of the sin they have committed, then the assembly must bring a young bull as a sin offering and present it before the Tent of Meeting. <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2205.htm" title="2205: ziq·nê (Adj-mpc) -- Old. From zaqen; old.">The elders</a> <a href="/hebrew/5712.htm" title="5712: hā·‘ê·ḏāh (Art:: N-fs) -- Congregation. Feminine of ed in the original sense of fixture; a stated assemblage.">of the congregation</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5564.htm" title="5564: wə·sā·mə·ḵū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To lean, lay, rest, support. A primitive root; to prop; reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of.">are to lay</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yə·ḏê·hem (N-fdc:: 3mp) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">their hands</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/6499.htm" title="6499: hap·pār (Art:: N-ms) -- Young bull, steer. Or par; from parar; a bullock.">the bull’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: rōš (N-msc) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">head</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê (Prep-l:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6499.htm" title="6499: hap·pār (Art:: N-ms) -- Young bull, steer. Or par; from parar; a bullock.">and it</a> <a href="/hebrew/7819.htm" title="7819: wə·šā·ḥaṭ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To slaughter, beat. A primitive root; to slaughter.">shall be slaughtered</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê (Prep-l:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD.</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>Then the anointed priest is to bring some of the bull’s blood into the Tent of Meeting,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-7.htm">Hebrews 9:7</a></span><br />But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-12.htm">Hebrews 9:12-14</a></span><br />He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption. / For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean, / how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-11.htm">Hebrews 13:11</a></span><br />Although the high priest brings the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, the bodies are burned outside the camp.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/15-24.htm">Numbers 15:24-25</a></span><br />and if it was done unintentionally without the knowledge of the congregation, then the whole congregation is to prepare one young bull as a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD, with its grain offering and drink offering according to the regulation, and one male goat as a sin offering. / The priest is to make atonement for the whole congregation of Israel, so that they may be forgiven; for the sin was unintentional and they have brought to the LORD a food offering and a sin offering, presented before the LORD for their unintentional sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/15-27.htm">Numbers 15:27-28</a></span><br />Also, if one person sins unintentionally, he is to present a year-old female goat as a sin offering. / And the priest shall make atonement before the LORD on behalf of the person who erred by sinning unintentionally; and when atonement has been made for him, he will be forgiven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/29-21.htm">2 Chronicles 29:21-24</a></span><br />They brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs, and seven male goats as a sin offering for the kingdom, for the sanctuary, and for Judah. And the king commanded the priests, the descendants of Aaron, to offer them on the altar of the LORD. / So they slaughtered the bulls, and the priests took the blood and splattered it on the altar. They slaughtered the rams and splattered the blood on the altar. And they slaughtered the lambs and splattered the blood on the altar. / Then they brought the goats for the sin offering before the king and the assembly, who laid their hands on them. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-4.htm">Hebrews 10:4</a></span><br />because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-10.htm">Hebrews 10:10-12</a></span><br />And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. / Day after day every priest stands to minister and to offer again and again the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. / But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/2-2.htm">1 John 2:2</a></span><br />He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-25.htm">Romans 3:25</a></span><br />God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice in His blood through faith, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-3.htm">Romans 8:3</a></span><br />For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-10.htm">Isaiah 53:10</a></span><br />Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush Him and to cause Him to suffer; and when His soul is made a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-12.htm">Isaiah 53:12</a></span><br />Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/5-21.htm">2 Corinthians 5:21</a></span><br />God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-24.htm">1 Peter 2:24</a></span><br />He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bullock before the LORD: and the bullock shall be killed before the LORD.</p><p class="hdg">the elders</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/24-1.htm">Exodus 24:1,9</a></b></br> And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/11-16.htm">Numbers 11:16,25</a></b></br> And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/21-3.htm">Deuteronomy 21:3-9</a></b></br> And it shall be, <i>that</i> the city <i>which is</i> next unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take an heifer, which hath not been wrought with, <i>and</i> which hath not drawn in the yoke; … </p><p class="hdg">lay</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/4-4.htm">Leviticus 4:4</a></b></br> And he shall bring the bullock unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD; and shall lay his hand upon the bullock's head, and kill the bullock before the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/1-4.htm">Leviticus 1:4</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/16-21.htm">Leviticus 16:21</a></b></br> And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send <i>him</i> away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/leviticus/4-14.htm">Assembly</a> <a href="/leviticus/4-14.htm">Bull</a> <a href="/leviticus/4-12.htm">Bullock</a> <a href="/leviticus/4-11.htm">Bull's</a> <a href="/exodus/34-31.htm">Chiefs</a> <a href="/leviticus/4-13.htm">Community</a> <a href="/exodus/38-25.htm">Company</a> <a href="/leviticus/4-14.htm">Congregation</a> <a href="/leviticus/4-4.htm">Death</a> <a href="/exodus/24-14.htm">Elders</a> <a href="/exodus/40-31.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/leviticus/4-11.htm">Head</a> <a href="/exodus/21-29.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/leviticus/4-4.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/leviticus/4-14.htm">Ox</a> <a href="/exodus/22-24.htm">Slain</a> <a href="/leviticus/3-13.htm">Slaughter</a> <a href="/leviticus/4-4.htm">Slaughtered</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/leviticus/4-21.htm">Assembly</a> <a href="/leviticus/4-16.htm">Bull</a> <a href="/leviticus/4-16.htm">Bullock</a> <a href="/leviticus/4-16.htm">Bull's</a> <a href="/numbers/1-16.htm">Chiefs</a> <a href="/leviticus/4-27.htm">Community</a> <a href="/leviticus/8-3.htm">Company</a> <a href="/leviticus/4-16.htm">Congregation</a> <a href="/leviticus/4-24.htm">Death</a> <a href="/leviticus/9-1.htm">Elders</a> <a href="/leviticus/7-30.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/leviticus/4-24.htm">Head</a> <a href="/leviticus/6-25.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/leviticus/4-24.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/leviticus/4-20.htm">Ox</a> <a href="/leviticus/6-25.htm">Slain</a> <a href="/leviticus/4-24.htm">Slaughter</a> <a href="/leviticus/4-24.htm">Slaughtered</a><div class="vheading2">Leviticus 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/4-1.htm">The sin offering of ignorance</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/4-3.htm">for the priest</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/4-13.htm">for the congregation</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/4-22.htm">for the ruler</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/4-27.htm">for any of the people</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/leviticus/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/leviticus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/leviticus/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The elders of the congregation</b><br>In ancient Israel, the elders were respected leaders and representatives of the people. They held positions of authority and were responsible for making decisions on behalf of the community. This reflects the communal nature of sin and atonement in Israelite society, where leaders acted on behalf of the people. The role of elders is seen throughout the Old Testament, such as in <a href="/exodus/3-16.htm">Exodus 3:16</a> and <a href="/numbers/11-16.htm">Numbers 11:16</a>, where they are involved in significant religious and communal decisions.<p><b>are to lay their hands on the bull’s head</b><br>The act of laying hands on the bull's head symbolizes the transfer of sin from the people to the sacrificial animal. This ritual act signifies identification and substitution, where the bull takes on the sin of the congregation. This practice is a precursor to the concept of substitutionary atonement, which is fully realized in the New Testament with Jesus Christ as the ultimate sacrifice for sin (<a href="/hebrews/9-12.htm">Hebrews 9:12-14</a>).<p><b>before the LORD</b><br>The phrase "before the LORD" indicates that this ritual is performed in the presence of God, likely at the entrance of the Tabernacle, where God's presence dwelt among the Israelites. This emphasizes the seriousness of the act and the need for divine acknowledgment and acceptance of the sacrifice. It underscores the belief that all sin is ultimately against God, as seen in <a href="/psalms/51-4.htm">Psalm 51:4</a>.<p><b>and it shall be slaughtered</b><br>The slaughtering of the bull is a critical part of the sacrificial process, representing the death required to atone for sin. This act foreshadows the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, who was "slain from the foundation of the world" (<a href="/revelation/13-8.htm">Revelation 13:8</a>) to atone for humanity's sins. The shedding of blood is a central theme in the sacrificial system, as seen in <a href="/leviticus/17-11.htm">Leviticus 17:11</a>, which states that "it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life."<p><b>before the LORD</b><br>Reiterating the phrase emphasizes the importance of performing the sacrifice in God's presence, ensuring that the act is not merely ritualistic but a genuine appeal for divine forgiveness. This repetition highlights the necessity of God's approval and the sacredness of the sacrificial system, which points to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who offered Himself "once for all" (<a href="/hebrews/10-10.htm">Hebrews 10:10</a>) in the presence of God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/elders_of_the_congregation.htm">Elders of the Congregation</a></b><br>These are the leaders or representatives of the Israelite community, responsible for spiritual and communal oversight.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_bull.htm">The Bull</a></b><br>A sacrificial animal used in the sin offering, symbolizing atonement for the community's unintentional sins.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a></b><br>Refers to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, who prescribes the sacrificial system for atonement.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_congregation.htm">The Congregation</a></b><br>The assembly of the Israelites, representing the collective body of God's people.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_tabernacle.htm">The Tabernacle</a></b><br>The place where sacrifices were made, symbolizing God's dwelling among His people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leadership_in_atonement.htm">The Role of Leadership in Atonement</a></b><br>Elders represent the community in seeking forgiveness, highlighting the importance of godly leadership in spiritual matters.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_significance_of_substitutionary_sacrifice.htm">The Significance of Substitutionary Sacrifice</a></b><br>The laying on of hands symbolizes the transfer of sin, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/communal_responsibility_for_sin.htm">Communal Responsibility for Sin</a></b><br>The entire congregation is implicated in the sin offering, teaching us about the corporate nature of sin and the need for communal repentance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_holiness_of_god.htm">The Holiness of God</a></b><br>The requirement for a sin offering underscores God's holiness and the seriousness of sin, reminding us of the need for purity in our relationship with Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_fulfillment_in_christ.htm">The Fulfillment in Christ</a></b><br>The Old Testament sacrificial system is a shadow of the perfect sacrifice of Jesus, encouraging us to live in the light of His atonement.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_leviticus_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_nomadic_israelites_handle_waste.htm">If ancient Israelites were nomadic in the wilderness, how practical would collecting, containing, and disposing of so much blood and animal waste have been according to Leviticus 4?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_purpose_of_a_sin_offering.htm">What is the purpose of a sin offering?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_prefer_obedience_over_sacrifice.htm">While Leviticus 4 describes an intricate sacrificial system, why do other parts of the Bible suggest that God desires obedience over sacrifice (e.g., 1 Samuel 15:22)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_sacrifices_for_unintentional_sins_conflict_with_god's_mercy.htm">Numbers 15:24-29: If unintentional sins still require sacrifices, does this conflict with the notion of a merciful God who judges intent?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/leviticus/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) <span class= "bld">And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands.</span>--As the whole congregation could not lay their hands on the victim, their representatives had to perform this act. (See <a href="/leviticus/4-4.htm" title="And he shall bring the bullock to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD; and shall lay his hand on the bullock's head, and kill the bullock before the LORD.">Leviticus 4:4</a>.) But as the elders also were far too many to do it, since they were seventy in number, it was ordained during the second Temple that three of their members should lay their hands upon the sacrifice. Besides this sin offering there was only one other congregational offering upon which there was this laying of hands: i.e., the scape-goat (<a href="/leviticus/16-21.htm" title="And Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them on the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:">Leviticus 16:21</a>).<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/leviticus/4-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The elders</span><br /><span class="heb">זִקְנֵ֨י</span> <span class="translit">(ziq·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2205.htm">Strong's 2205: </a> </span><span class="str2">Old</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the congregation</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעֵדָ֧ה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ê·ḏāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5712.htm">Strong's 5712: </a> </span><span class="str2">A stated assemblage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are to lay</span><br /><span class="heb">וְ֠סָמְכוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·sā·mə·ḵū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5564.htm">Strong's 5564: </a> </span><span class="str2">To prop, to lean upon, take hold of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their hands</span><br /><span class="heb">יְדֵיהֶ֛ם</span> <span class="translit">(yə·ḏê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - fdc | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the bull’s</span><br /><span class="heb">הַפָּ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(hap·pār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6499.htm">Strong's 6499: </a> </span><span class="str2">Young bull, steer</span><br /><br /><span class="word">head</span><br /><span class="heb">רֹ֥אשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(rōš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> </span><span class="str2">The head</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before</span><br /><span class="heb">לִפְנֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(lip̄·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and it</span><br /><span class="heb">הַפָּ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(hap·pār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6499.htm">Strong's 6499: </a> </span><span class="str2">Young bull, steer</span><br /><br /><span class="word">shall be slaughtered</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשָׁחַ֥ט</span> <span class="translit">(wə·šā·ḥaṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7819.htm">Strong's 7819: </a> </span><span class="str2">To slaughter, beat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before</span><br /><span class="heb">לִפְנֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(lip̄·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD.</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/leviticus/4-15.htm">Leviticus 4:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/leviticus/4-15.htm">Leviticus 4:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/leviticus/4-15.htm">Leviticus 4:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/leviticus/4-15.htm">Leviticus 4:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/leviticus/4-15.htm">Leviticus 4:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/leviticus/4-15.htm">Leviticus 4:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/leviticus/4-15.htm">Leviticus 4:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/leviticus/4-15.htm">Leviticus 4:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/leviticus/4-15.htm">Leviticus 4:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/leviticus/4-15.htm">Leviticus 4:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/leviticus/4-15.htm">OT Law: Leviticus 4:15 The elders of the congregation shall lay (Le Lv Lev.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/leviticus/4-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Leviticus 4:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Leviticus 4:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/leviticus/4-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Leviticus 4:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Leviticus 4:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>