Lev 4:2-3 | TNotes

Summary for Lev 4:3-21: 4:3-21 ^a These verses distinguish two types of sin offerings: (1) the offering given for the sin of the high priest (4:3 ^b, 20 ^c) and the entire Israelite community (4:13 ^d), and (2) the offering given for one of Israel’s leaders (4:22 ^e) and any of the common people (4:27 ^f). The former case required offering a bull, a large, expensive animal. It was not to be eaten (6:30 ^g) but was completely burned (4:12 ^h, 21 ⁱ), and some of its blood was presented in the Holy Place (4:6-7 ^j, 17-18 ^k). The latter case required a lesser animal—a male goat for a lay leader or a female sheep or goat for a common person. The priest ate a portion of the layperson’s offering (6:24-29 ^l), and the blood was presented at the bronze altar in the courtyard (4:25 ^m, 30 ⁿ). The distinction stresses the responsibilities of leaders. The offering was the same for the priest as for the entire people, and the lay leader’s offering was more than that of a common person. The New Testament also emphasizes the responsibility of religious leaders; those who teach (Jas 3:1 ^o) and those who serve as religious leaders (Matt 23:1-33 ^p; Luke 20:47 ^q) are judged more severely than those who follow them. 4:3 ^r The high priest was designated by God and “anointed” (Hebrew mashiakh, “set apart by the ritual of anointing”) for a particular service. In 1 Sam 1:1—2 Kgs 25:30 ^s, anointing most often refers to Israel’s king (see 1 Sam 24:6 ^t; 2 Sam 1:14 ^u; 19:21 ^v). While all priests were anointed (Exod 40:13-15 ^w), here the term probably refers to the high priest because he was specially anointed for service in the Tabernacle (Lev 6:20 ^x; 8:12 ^y). Since the high priest was mediator for all of Israel, including lesser priests, his sin would bring guilt on the entire assembly (see thematic note for Community Identity at end of chapter).

• Guilt results from violating God’s will; it is not just perceived or psychological guilt (see study note on 5:17-19).