What is the meaning of Leviticus 4:11? But the hide of the bull - “But the hide of the bull…” (Leviticus 4:11) singles out what normally might have been kept for leather or priestly benefit (cf. Leviticus 7:8). - In the sin offering this hide is not kept; it goes outside the camp (Leviticus 4:12). - By removing even the outward covering, God teaches that sin cannot merely be “covered over”; it must be taken away entirely (Psalm 103:12; John 1:29). - Exodus 29:14 and Hebrews 13:11 reinforce that this part of the sacrifice points ahead to Christ, whose entire self—body and covering—was taken outside the city for our atonement. and all its flesh - Nothing of the bull’s meat is eaten or saved (contrast the peace offering in Leviticus 3). - Total removal shows the seriousness of sin: it affects every part of life (Isaiah 53:6). - Leviticus 16:27 later repeats the same total disposal on the Day of Atonement, underlining that forgiveness is costly and complete. with its head - The head represents identity and authority (Psalm 110:6). - Including the head demonstrates that even the highest, most visible part is tainted by sin and must be removed (Romans 3:23). - Christ, the true Head (Colossians 1:18), bore our sin in His own body, fully identifying with us (2 Corinthians 5:21). and legs - Legs symbolize one’s walk or way of life (Psalm 119:1; Ephesians 4:17). - By burning them outside the camp, God shows that our daily walk needs cleansing and renewal (Romans 6:4). - No part of our behavior escapes His searching holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16). and its entrails - The entrails (inner organs) picture the hidden, private parts of a person—thoughts, motives, desires (Jeremiah 17:10; Hebrews 4:13). - God requires the inner life to be dealt with, not just outward actions (Psalm 51:6). - Christ cleanses us from the inside out, granting a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26-27). and dung— - Even the waste is specifically named so that nothing unclean remains in the camp (Malachi 2:3). - This blunt mention underscores that sin is repulsive before a holy God (Isaiah 64:6). - Hebrews 13:13 urges believers to “go to Him outside the camp,” gladly bearing reproach because He bore our filth and shame. summary Leviticus 4:11 details the complete removal of every part of the sin-offering bull—hide, flesh, head, legs, entrails, and dung—to be destroyed outside the camp. The verse emphasizes that sin infects every facet of human life and must be wholly dealt with. Nothing is too outward or inward, prominent or hidden, respectable or repulsive to escape divine judgment. Yet the passage also foreshadows Christ, who bore the totality of our sin outside Jerusalem, accomplishing perfect atonement so that we might be cleansed entirely—body, soul, and spirit. |
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