Leviticus 4:15
Leviticus 4:15 in Multiple Translations
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.
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.
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.
And let the chiefs of the people put their hands on its head before the Lord, and put the ox to death before the Lord.
The elders of Israel are to put their hands on its head and kill it before the Lord.
And the Elders of the Congregation shall put their handes vpon the head of the bullocke before the Lord, and he shall kill the bullocke before the Lord.
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.
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.
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.
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,
The elders must lay their hands on the bull’s head in the presence of Yahweh and slaughter it and catch some of the blood in a bowl.
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 4:15
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Leviticus 4:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 4:15
Study Notes — Leviticus 4:15
- Context
- Cross References
- Leviticus 4:15 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 4:15
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 4:15
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 4:15
- Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 4:15
- Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 4:15
- Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 4:15
- Barnes' Notes on Leviticus 4:15
- Sermons on Leviticus 4:15
Context — Laws for Sin Offerings
15The 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.
16Then the anointed priest is to bring some of the bull’s blood into the Tent of Meeting, 17and he is to dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle it seven times before the LORD in front of the veil.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 1:4 | He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, so it can be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him. |
| 2 | Leviticus 16:21 | Then he is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the iniquities and rebellious acts of the Israelites in regard to all their sins. He is to put them on the goat’s head and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man appointed for the task. |
| 3 | Leviticus 8:14 | Moses then brought the bull near for the sin offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head. |
| 4 | Leviticus 4:4 | He must bring the bull to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting before the LORD, lay his hand on the bull’s head, and slaughter it before the LORD. |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 21:3–9 | Then the elders of the city nearest the victim shall take a heifer that has never been yoked or used for work, bring the heifer to a valley with running water that has not been plowed or sown, and break its neck there by the stream. And the priests, the sons of Levi, shall come forward, for the LORD your God has chosen them to serve Him and pronounce blessings in His name and to give a ruling in every dispute and case of assault. Then all the elders of the city nearest the victim shall wash their hands by the stream over the heifer whose neck has been broken, and they shall declare, “Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it. Accept this atonement, O LORD, for Your people Israel whom You have redeemed, and do not hold the shedding of innocent blood against them.” And the bloodshed will be atoned for. So you shall purge from among you the guilt of shedding innocent blood, since you have done what is right in the eyes of the LORD. |
| 6 | Numbers 8:10 | You are to present the Levites before the LORD and have the Israelites lay their hands upon them. |
| 7 | Leviticus 8:22 | After that, Moses presented the other ram, the ram of ordination, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head. |
| 8 | Numbers 11:16 | Then the LORD said to Moses, “Bring Me seventy of the elders of Israel known to you as leaders and officers of the people. Bring them to the Tent of Meeting and have them stand there with you. |
| 9 | Exodus 24:9 | Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, |
| 10 | Numbers 11:25 | Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and He took some of the Spirit that was on Moses and placed that Spirit on the seventy elders. As the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied—but they never did so again. |
Leviticus 4:15 Summary
In Leviticus 4:15, the elders of the congregation lay their hands on a bull's head, symbolizing their acknowledgment of the congregation's sin and their need for forgiveness. This act shows us that sin is a serious matter, and that we need to take responsibility for our actions, as seen in Romans 3:23. The bull's death serves as a substitute for the congregation, teaching us about the concept of substitutionary atonement, where someone or something bears the penalty for our sin, as also seen in John 3:16. By understanding this verse, we can learn to acknowledge our sin, seek forgiveness, and worship God in a way that is pleasing to Him.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the elders of the congregation need to lay their hands on the bull's head in Leviticus 4:15?
The elders laid their hands on the bull's head to symbolize the congregation's identification with the sin offering and to acknowledge their corporate responsibility for the sin, as seen in Leviticus 4:13-14, where the whole congregation is said to have strayed unintentionally.
What is the significance of the bull being slaughtered before the LORD in Leviticus 4:15?
The bull being slaughtered before the LORD signifies the seriousness of sin and the need for atonement, as emphasized in Romans 6:23, where the wages of sin is death, and in Hebrews 9:22, which states that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.
How does the action of the elders in Leviticus 4:15 relate to the concept of substitutionary atonement?
The action of the elders in Leviticus 4:15 illustrates the concept of substitutionary atonement, where the bull serves as a substitute for the congregation, bearing the penalty for their sin, as also seen in Isaiah 53:5, where the Messiah bears the iniquities of us all.
What can we learn from the role of the elders in this verse about leadership and responsibility?
The role of the elders in Leviticus 4:15 teaches us that leaders have a responsibility to acknowledge and address corporate sin, as seen in Numbers 27:1-11, where the leaders of the congregation intercede on behalf of the people.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I, like the congregation in Leviticus 4, may have 'strayed unintentionally' and need to acknowledge my sin before God?
- How can I, like the elders, take responsibility for my actions and the actions of my community, and seek forgiveness and restoration?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of substitutionary atonement, as seen in the bull's death, to my own life and relationship with God?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of corporate worship and the role of leaders in facilitating that worship?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 4:15
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 4:15
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 4:15
Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 4:15
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 4:15
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 4:15
Barnes' Notes on Leviticus 4:15
Sermons on Leviticus 4:15
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Study Notes - the Tabernacle by Walter Beuttler | Walter Beuttler preaches on the purpose and typology of the tabernacle, highlighting how God used offerings and rituals to mend the broken fellowship with sinful man. The tabernacl |
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A Completed Sacrifice by C.H. Spurgeon | C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the significance of Jesus as the completed sacrifice, drawing a parallel between the Old Testament practice of laying hands on the burnt offering for atone |
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The Arm of the Lord - Part 2 by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of seeking God's verdict on our lives rather than relying on the opinions of others or our own judgments. He encourages listen |
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Who Is Jesus? (Debate) by Michael L. Brown | In this sermon, the speaker begins by expressing a sense of dissatisfaction with life and a desire for something more. He confesses to making poor choices, including leaving his fa |
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Confession of Sin by Joshua Daniel | This sermon emphasizes the importance of confession, highlighting the element of humbling oneself and the need for genuine repentance. It references biblical instances of confessio |
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The Goat by Harriet N. Cook | Harriet N. Cook delves into the significance of goats in the Bible, highlighting their various uses and symbolism in ancient times. From providing milk and cheese to being used for |
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2 Corinthians v. 21 by John Owen | John Owen expounds on 2 Corinthians 5:21, emphasizing the profound truth that Christ, who knew no sin, was made sin for us through the imputation of our sins to Him. He clarifies t |







