Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version They shall remove all the fat, just as the fat is removed from the fellowship offering, and the priest shall burn it on the altar as an aroma pleasing to the LORD. In this way the priest will make atonement for them, and they will be forgiven. New Living Translation Then he must remove all the goat’s fat, just as he does with the fat of the peace offering. He will burn the fat on the altar, and it will be a pleasing aroma to the LORD. Through this process, the priest will purify the people, making them right with the LORD, and they will be forgiven. English Standard Version And all its fat he shall remove, as the fat is removed from the peace offerings, and the priest shall burn it on the altar for a pleasing aroma to the LORD. And the priest shall make atonement for him, and he shall be forgiven. Berean Standard Bible Then he is to remove all the fat, just as it is removed from the peace offering, and the priest is to burn it on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the LORD. In this way the priest will make atonement for him, and he will be forgiven. King James Bible And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat is taken away from off the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the priest shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savour unto the LORD; and the priest shall make an atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him. New King James Version He shall remove all its fat, as fat is removed from the sacrifice of the peace offering; and the priest shall burn it on the altar for a sweet aroma to the LORD. So the priest shall make atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him. New American Standard Bible Then he shall remove all its fat, just as the fat was removed from the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the priest shall offer it up in smoke on the altar as a soothing aroma to the LORD. So the priest shall make atonement for him, and he will be forgiven. NASB 1995 ‘Then he shall remove all its fat, just as the fat was removed from the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the priest shall offer it up in smoke on the altar for a soothing aroma to the LORD. Thus the priest shall make atonement for him, and he will be forgiven. NASB 1977 ‘Then he shall remove all its fat, just as the fat was removed from the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the priest shall offer it up in smoke on the altar for a soothing aroma to the LORD. Thus the priest shall make atonement for him, and he shall be forgiven. Legacy Standard Bible Then he shall remove all its fat, just as the fat was removed from the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the priest shall offer it up in smoke on the altar for a soothing aroma to Yahweh. Thus the priest shall make atonement for him, and he will be forgiven. Amplified Bible Then he shall remove all its fat, just as the fat was removed from the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the priest shall offer it up in smoke on the altar as a sweet and soothing aroma to the LORD. In this way the priest shall make atonement for him, and he will be forgiven. Christian Standard Bible He is to remove all its fat just as the fat is removed from the fellowship sacrifice. The priest is to burn it on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the LORD. In this way the priest will make atonement on his behalf, and he will be forgiven. Holman Christian Standard Bible He is to remove all its fat just as the fat is removed from the fellowship sacrifice. The priest is to burn it on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the LORD. In this way the priest will make atonement on his behalf, and he will be forgiven.” American Standard Version And all the fat thereof shall he take away, as the fat is taken away from off the sacrifice of peace-offerings; and the priest shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savor unto Jehovah; and the priest shall make atonement for him, and he shall be forgiven. Contemporary English Version After this, the priest will remove all of the fat, just as he does when an animal is sacrificed to ask my blessing. The priest will then send the fat up in smoke with a smell that pleases me. This animal is sacrificed so that I will forgive you ordinary people when you sin. English Revised Version And all the fat thereof shall he take away, as the fat is taken away from off the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the priest shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savour unto the LORD; and the priest shall make atonement for him, and he shall be forgiven. GOD'S WORD® Translation He will remove all the fat the same way it is removed from the fellowship offering. The priest will burn it on the altar for a soothing aroma to the LORD. So the priest will make peace with the LORD for that person, and that person will be forgiven. Good News Translation Then he shall remove all its fat, just as the fat is removed from the animals killed for the fellowship offerings, and he shall burn it on the altar as an odor pleasing to the LORD. In this way the priest shall offer the sacrifice for the man's sin, and he will be forgiven. International Standard Version He is to remove all the fat, just as the fat was removed from the sacrifice for the peace offering. Then the priest is to burn it on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the LORD. This is how the priest will make atonement for him. It will be forgiven him. NET Bible Then he must remove all of its fat (just as fat was removed from the peace offering sacrifice) and the priest must offer it up in smoke on the altar for a soothing aroma to the LORD. So the priest will make atonement on his behalf and he will be forgiven. New Heart English Bible All its fat he shall take away, like the fat is taken away from off of the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the priest shall burn it on the altar for a pleasant aroma to the LORD; and the priest shall make atonement for him, and he will be forgiven. Webster's Bible Translation And he shall take away all its fat, as the fat is taken away from off the sacrifice of peace-offerings; and the priest shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savor to the LORD; and the priest shall make an atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen he is to remove all the fat, just as it is removed from the peace offering, and the priest is to burn it on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the LORD. In this way the priest will make atonement for him, and he will be forgiven. World English Bible All its fat he shall take away, like the fat is taken away from the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the priest shall burn it on the altar for a pleasant aroma to Yahweh; and the priest shall make atonement for him, and he will be forgiven. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand he turns aside all its fat, as the fat has been turned aside from off the sacrifice of the peace-offerings, and the priest has made incense on the altar for refreshing fragrance to YHWH; and the priest has made atonement for him, and it has been forgiven him. Young's Literal Translation and all its fat he doth turn aside, as the fat hath been turned aside from off the sacrifice of the peace-offerings, and the priest hath made perfume on the altar, for sweet fragrance to Jehovah; and the priest hath made atonement for him, and it hath been forgiven him. Smith's Literal Translation And all the fat he will take away, as the fat shall be taken away from the sacrifice of peace; and the priest burnt upon the altar, for an odor of sweetness to Jehovah: and the priest shall expiate for him, and it shall be forgiven to him. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut taking off all the fat, as is wont to be taken away of the victims of peace offerings, he shall burn it upon the altar, for a sweet savour to the Lord: and he shall pray for him, and it shall be forgiven him. Catholic Public Domain Version But taking away all the fat, just as it is usually taken away from the victims of peace offerings, he shall burn it upon the altar as a sweet odor to the Lord. And he shall pray for him, and he shall be released from it. New American Bible He shall remove all the fat, just as the fat is removed from the communion sacrifice. The priest shall burn it on the altar for a sweet odor to the LORD. Thus the priest shall make atonement, so that the individual may be forgiven. New Revised Standard Version He shall remove all its fat, as the fat is removed from the offering of well-being, and the priest shall turn it into smoke on the altar for a pleasing odor to the LORD. Thus the priest shall make atonement on your behalf, and you shall be forgiven. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat is taken away from the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the priest shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savour to the LORD; and the priest shall make an atonement for him and it shall be forgiven him. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he shall take from it all the fat just as the fat from the sacrifice of burnt offering is taken, and the Priest will offer it up on the altar for a sweet savor offering to LORD JEHOVAH, and the Priest shall atone for him and it shall be forgiven to him. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And all the fat thereof shall he take away, as the fat is taken away from off the sacrifice of peace-offerings; and the priest shall make it smoke upon the altar for a sweet savour unto the LORD; and the priest shall make atonement for him, and he shall be forgiven. Brenton Septuagint Translation And he shall take away all the fat, as the fat is taken away from the sacrifice of peace-offering, and the priest shall offer it on the altar for a smell of sweet savour to the Lord; and the priest shall make atonement for him, and his sin shall be forgiven him. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Laws for Sin Offerings…30Then the priest is to take some of its blood with his finger, put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. 31Then he is to remove all the fat, just as it is removed from the peace offering, and the priest is to burn it on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the LORD. In this way the priest will make atonement for him, and he will be forgiven. 32If, however, he brings a lamb as a sin offering, he must bring an unblemished female.… Cross References Hebrews 9:22 According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Hebrews 10:4 because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Hebrews 10:10-12 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. 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. Romans 3:25 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. Ephesians 5:2 and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God. 1 Peter 1:18-19 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, / but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot. Hebrews 9:14 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! Hebrews 13:11-12 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. / And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate, to sanctify the people by His own blood. 1 Corinthians 5:7 Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Isaiah 53:10 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. Numbers 15:25 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. Numbers 15:27-28 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. Leviticus 5:10 And the priest must prepare the second bird as a burnt offering according to the ordinance. In this way the priest will make atonement for him for the sin he has committed, and he will be forgiven. Leviticus 5:13 In this way the priest will make atonement for him for any of these sins he has committed, and he will be forgiven. The remainder will belong to the priest, like the grain offering.” Treasury of Scripture And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat is taken away from off the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the priest shall burn it on the altar for a sweet smell to the LORD; and the priest shall make an atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him. all the fat Leviticus 4:8-10,19,26,35 And he shall take off from it all the fat of the bullock for the sin offering; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards, … Leviticus 3:3-5,9-11,14-16 And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering an offering made by fire unto the LORD; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards, … a sweet Leviticus 1:9,13,17 But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD… Leviticus 3:3,5 And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering an offering made by fire unto the LORD; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards, … Leviticus 8:21 And he washed the inwards and the legs in water; and Moses burnt the whole ram upon the altar: it was a burnt sacrifice for a sweet savour, and an offering made by fire unto the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses. and the priest Leviticus 4:26,35 And he shall burn all his fat upon the altar, as the fat of the sacrifice of peace offerings: and the priest shall make an atonement for him as concerning his sin, and it shall be forgiven him… Jump to Previous Altar Aroma Atonement Burn Fat Forgiven Offer Offerings Peace Peace-Offerings Pleasant Priest Sacrifice Savor Savour Smoke Soothing Sweet ThereofJump to Next Altar Aroma Atonement Burn Fat Forgiven Offer Offerings Peace Peace-Offerings Pleasant Priest Sacrifice Savor Savour Smoke Soothing Sweet ThereofLeviticus 4 1. The sin offering of ignorance3. for the priest 13. for the congregation 22. for the ruler 27. for any of the people Then he is to remove all the fat In the sacrificial system, the removal of fat symbolizes the offering of the best parts to God. Fat was considered the richest part of the animal, representing abundance and blessing. This act signifies giving God the choicest portions, reflecting the principle of offering our best to Him. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, fat was often associated with wealth and prosperity, making its offering a significant gesture of devotion. just as it is removed from the peace offering and the priest is to burn it on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the LORD In this way the priest will make atonement for him and he will be forgiven Persons / Places / Events 1. PriestThe priest acts as a mediator between the people and God, performing the sacrificial rituals necessary for atonement. 2. Altar The place where sacrifices are offered to God, symbolizing His presence and the means of atonement. 3. Peace Offering A type of sacrifice in the Old Testament that symbolizes fellowship and reconciliation with God. 4. Atonement The process by which sin is covered or forgiven, restoring the relationship between the sinner and God. 5. Israelites The people of God who are given the law and instructions for maintaining a covenant relationship with Him. Teaching Points Understanding AtonementThe concept of atonement in Leviticus points to the seriousness of sin and the need for a mediator. Jesus is our ultimate High Priest who provides complete atonement. Symbolism of Sacrifice The removal and burning of fat symbolize the offering of the best parts to God. In our lives, we are called to offer our best to God in worship and service. Forgiveness and Restoration The sacrificial system provided a way for the Israelites to be forgiven and restored. Today, we find forgiveness and restoration through faith in Jesus Christ. Role of the Priest The priest's role in making atonement foreshadows Christ's intercessory work. We are called to be a "royal priesthood," interceding for others and sharing the gospel. Pleasing Aroma The pleasing aroma to the LORD signifies acceptance. Our lives, when lived in obedience and faith, are a pleasing aroma to God. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Leviticus 4:31?2. How does Leviticus 4:31 emphasize the importance of offering sacrifices for atonement? 3. What does "pleasing aroma to the LORD" signify about God's acceptance of offerings? 4. How can we apply the principle of atonement in our daily repentance? 5. What New Testament connections can be made to the sacrificial system in Leviticus? 6. How does understanding Leviticus 4:31 deepen our appreciation for Christ's ultimate sacrifice? 7. What is the significance of the fat in Leviticus 4:31's sacrificial ritual? 8. How does Leviticus 4:31 relate to the concept of atonement in Christianity? 9. Why is a burnt offering required for forgiveness in Leviticus 4:31? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 4? 11. What is the purpose of a sin offering? 12. What was the purpose of animal sacrifices? 13. Is animal sacrifice necessary? (Leviticus 4:31 vs. Hebrews 10:4) 14. Why does God require such specific and seemingly arbitrary animal sacrifices in Leviticus 3, yet later biblical texts (e.g., Hosea 6:6) emphasize mercy over rituals? What Does Leviticus 4:31 Mean Remove all the fatLeviticus 4:31 opens, “Then he is to remove all the fat…”. The fat was considered the richest part of the animal, and God claimed it exclusively for Himself (Leviticus 3:16-17). By literally separating the fat, the offerer acknowledged: • God’s right to the best portion (Proverbs 3:9). • The seriousness of sin: even the choicest parts must be surrendered. • A picture of complete consecration, foreshadowing Romans 12:1, where believers present their bodies “as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” As it is removed from the peace offering The removal was done “just as it is removed from the peace offering” (Leviticus 3:3-5). Linking the sin offering to the peace offering reminds us that: • The same God who provides fellowship (peace offering) also provides forgiveness (sin offering). • The method mattered; obedience to God’s precise instructions (Deuteronomy 12:32) showed trust in His revealed way of approach. Cross-reference: 1 Samuel 15:22—“To obey is better than sacrifice.” Burn it on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the LORD The priest “is to burn it on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the LORD.” Smoke rising symbolized the offering ascending to God (Genesis 8:21). The aroma pleased Him because: • It represented faith-filled obedience (Hebrews 11:6). • It foreshadowed Christ’s self-offering, described in Ephesians 5:2 as “a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Bullet points of significance: – God’s holiness satisfied. – The worshiper’s relationship restored. – A public witness that sin carries a cost. The priest will make atonement for him “In this way the priest will make atonement for him.” Atonement means covering or reconciliation. The priest acted as mediator (Leviticus 16:15-16), pointing ahead to Jesus, our great High Priest (Hebrews 9:11-12). Key thoughts: • Bloodshed was essential (Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22). • The offerer’s guilt was transferred to the substitute (Isaiah 53:6). • Peace with God is never achieved by human merit but by God’s appointed means. He will be forgiven The verse concludes, “and he will be forgiven.” God’s promise was immediate and certain (Psalm 32:1-2). Forgiveness here is: • Personal—applied to “him,” the individual sinner (1 John 1:9). • Complete—the debt is lifted (Psalm 103:12). • Covenant-based—rooted in God’s unchanging character and fulfilled ultimately in Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10). summary Leviticus 4:31 pictures a sinner bringing the best part of his sacrifice, obeying God’s specific pattern, and watching the priest place it on the altar where it rises to God as a pleasing aroma. Through this act God declares the sinner atoned for and forgiven. The verse underscores God’s holiness, the need for a substitute, and the certainty of forgiveness offered on God’s terms—truths perfectly realized in Jesus Christ, the final and perfect sin offering. Hebrew Andוְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-) Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case he shall remove יָסִ֗יר (yā·sîr) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5493: To turn aside all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the fat חֶלְבָּ֣הּ (ḥel·bāh) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 2459: Fat, richest, choice part just as כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר (ka·’ă·šer) Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that [it] חֵלֶב֮ (ḥê·leḇ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2459: Fat, richest, choice part is removed הוּסַ֣ר (hū·sar) Verb - Hofal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5493: To turn aside from מֵעַ֣ל (mê·‘al) Preposition-m Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the peace offering, הַשְּׁלָמִים֒ (haš·šə·lā·mîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 8002: A sacrifice for alliance or friendship, peace offering and the priest הַכֹּהֵן֙ (hak·kō·hên) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3548: Priest is to burn וְהִקְטִ֤יר (wə·hiq·ṭîr) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6999: To smoke, turn into fragrance by fire it on the altar הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חָה (ham·miz·bê·ḥāh) Article | Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 4196: An altar as a pleasing נִיחֹ֖חַ (nî·ḥō·aḥ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5207: A quieting, soothing, tranquilizing aroma לְרֵ֥יחַ (lə·rê·aḥ) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7381: To smell, perceive odor to the LORD. לַיהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel In this way the priest הַכֹּהֵ֖ן (hak·kō·hên) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3548: Priest will make atonement וְכִפֶּ֥ר (wə·ḵip·per) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3722: To cover, to expiate, condone, to placate, cancel for him, עָלָ֛יו (‘ā·lāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against and he will be forgiven. וְנִסְלַ֥ח (wə·nis·laḥ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5545: To forgive, pardon Links Leviticus 4:31 NIVLeviticus 4:31 NLT Leviticus 4:31 ESV Leviticus 4:31 NASB Leviticus 4:31 KJV Leviticus 4:31 BibleApps.com Leviticus 4:31 Biblia Paralela Leviticus 4:31 Chinese Bible Leviticus 4:31 French Bible Leviticus 4:31 Catholic Bible OT Law: Leviticus 4:31 All its fat he shall take away (Le Lv Lev.) |
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