Topical Bible: Offerings: Sin: Ordinances Concerning

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In the Old Testament, the concept of sin offerings is central to the sacrificial system established by God for the Israelites. These offerings were instituted as a means for the people to atone for their sins and restore their relationship with God. The primary passages detailing the ordinances concerning sin offerings are found in the books of Leviticus and Numbers.

Levitical Ordinances

The Book of Leviticus provides comprehensive instructions on the sin offering, which is distinct from other types of offerings such as burnt offerings, peace offerings, and grain offerings. The sin offering is specifically designed to atone for unintentional sins and is a critical component of the Levitical sacrificial system.

Leviticus 4 outlines the procedures for sin offerings, specifying different requirements based on the status of the individual or group presenting the offering. For instance, if the anointed priest sins, he must offer a young bull without blemish as a sin offering (Leviticus 4:3). The blood of the bull is to be sprinkled before the LORD in front of the veil of the sanctuary, and some of the blood is to be placed on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense (Leviticus 4:6-7).

For the whole congregation of Israel, if they sin unintentionally, the elders are to lay their hands on the head of a young bull before it is slaughtered, and the same ritual with the blood is followed (Leviticus 4:13-21). When a leader sins unintentionally, he is to bring a male goat without blemish (Leviticus 4:22-23), and for a common person, a female goat or lamb is required (Leviticus 4:27-35).

Purpose and Symbolism

The sin offering serves as a vivid reminder of the seriousness of sin and the need for atonement. The shedding of blood is a crucial element, symbolizing the life given to atone for the sin committed. Hebrews 9:22 later reflects on this principle, stating, "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."

The laying of hands on the sacrificial animal signifies the transfer of sin from the individual to the animal, which then bears the penalty of death on behalf of the sinner. This act underscores the substitutionary nature of the sin offering, prefiguring the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who bore the sins of humanity.

Additional Regulations

Leviticus 5 introduces further regulations for sin offerings, addressing specific cases such as failing to testify, touching unclean things, or making rash oaths. In these instances, the individual is required to confess the sin and bring a female lamb or goat as a sin offering. If the person cannot afford a lamb, two turtledoves or two young pigeons are acceptable, and if even that is beyond their means, a tenth of an ephah of fine flour can be offered (Leviticus 5:5-11).

The Day of Atonement

The Day of Atonement, described in Leviticus 16, is a significant annual event where the high priest makes atonement for the sins of the entire nation. On this day, the high priest enters the Holy of Holies to sprinkle the blood of a bull and a goat on the mercy seat, symbolizing the cleansing of the sanctuary and the people (Leviticus 16:14-16).

Numbers and Additional Context

The Book of Numbers also provides additional context for sin offerings, particularly in communal settings. Numbers 15:22-29 addresses unintentional sins committed by the community, requiring a young bull as a burnt offering and a male goat as a sin offering. This passage emphasizes the communal responsibility and the need for collective atonement.

In summary, the ordinances concerning sin offerings in the Old Testament highlight the gravity of sin and the necessity of atonement through sacrifice. These offerings foreshadow the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who fulfills the law and provides eternal redemption for believers.

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Exodus 29:10-14
And you shall cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands on the head of the bullock.
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Hebrews 13:11-13
For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
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Leviticus 4:1
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
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Leviticus 5:1
And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he has seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity.
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Leviticus 6:1-7,26-30
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
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Leviticus 9:1-21
And it came to pass on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel;
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Leviticus 12:6-8
And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to the priest:
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Leviticus 14:19,22,31
And the priest shall offer the sin offering, and make an atonement for him that is to be cleansed from his uncleanness; and afterward he shall kill the burnt offering:
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Leviticus 15:30
And the priest shall offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for her before the LORD for the issue of her uncleanness.
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Leviticus 23:19
Then you shall sacrifice one kid of the goats for a sin offering, and two lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace offerings.
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Numbers 6:10,11,14,16
And on the eighth day he shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons, to the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation:
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Numbers 8:8,12
Then let them take a young bullock with his meat offering, even fine flour mingled with oil, and another young bullock shall you take for a sin offering.
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Numbers 15:27
And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering.
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Numbers 28:15,22-24,30
And one kid of the goats for a sin offering to the LORD shall be offered, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.
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Numbers 29:5,6,11,16-38
And one kid of the goats for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you:
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Library

Acts XXI
... of which they have heard concerning you are ... the obligation to observe the ordinances,
he admitted ... it required them to offer sacrifices, and even sin-offerings. ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxi.htm

The Testament of Levi Concerning the Priesthood and Arrogance.
... burnt-offerings, first-fruits, free-will offerings, thank-offerings. ... ungodliness
and the palsy of sin: for even ... commandments contrary to the ordinances of God. ...
/.../iii the testament of levi concerning.htm

The Deputation from Jerusalem - the Three Sects of the Pharisees ...
... then, the commonly received idea concerning the Pharisees ... [1554] What seem the original
ordinances, [1555] directed ... the ashes of all sin-offerings, and kept ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ii the deputation from.htm

Scriptural Types.
... Testament of the "carnal ordinances" of the ... When we raise inquiries concerning the
interior ... Leviticus is into burnt-offerings, sin-offerings, trespass-offerings ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

What a Sacrifice Is, and what are the Species of Sacrifice.
... ie, that the Gentiles might be offerings acceptable to ... the heart, and not ceremonials
for sin that are ... preach mostly of human ordinances, whereby consciences ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 30 what a sacrifice.htm

Of the Origin of the Word "With," and what Force it Has. Also ...
... servants of the Deity; sacrifices and burnt offerings and the ... by the very deed that
by our sin we fell ... and is abused, we mean by traditions ordinances made in ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/chapter xxvii of the origin.htm

"Lo, I Come": Exposition
... for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have ... and the Aaronic priesthood, and
all the ordinances of it ... he comes "the second time without sin unto salvation ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/lo i come exposition.htm

The Cavils of the Pharisees Concerning Purification, and the ...
... Or, could the Rabbinic ordinances about the sanctification of ... laws about the Sabbath,
festive offerings, and the ... proposal was refused as involving sin, and the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxxi the cavils of.htm

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... to cover it, and by means of her offerings, she got ... And they also beguile others,
ver.8. Sin makes fools ... of his law, and profaning of his ordinances, to accept ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

The Evening of the Third Day in Passion-Week - on the Mount of ...
... buildings, or speak of the rich offerings with which ... all the sufferngs of the Messiah
for sin with this ... a modified or condensed series of ordinances (at most ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi the evening of.htm