Leviticus Chapter 4

Leviticus 4 — “For Unintentional Sin: The Blood That Purifies the Sanctuary”

Leviticus 1 taught sacrifice for approach to God.
Leviticus 2 taught the offering of daily life.
Leviticus 3 taught communion and peace.
Leviticus 4 now teaches atonement for sin, even when sin is not deliberate.

This chapter teaches one central truth:

Sin defiles both the sinner and the dwelling place of God, and only blood can cleanse it — a truth fulfilled in Christ.

1. “If Anyone Sins Unintentionally”

“If anyone sins unintentionally in any of the LORD’s commandments…” (Lev 4:2)

The Law distinguishes:

• deliberate rebellion
• unintentional sin

Yet both require sacrifice.

St Augustine writes:

“Even hidden faults need healing, for sickness does not ask whether it was chosen.”
(Sermons)

Typology:

Sin is not only crime —
it is disease.

Christ comes not only for rebels
but for the weak and blind.

2. Different Sinners, Different Victims

The chapter treats four cases:

• the anointed priest (vv. 3–12)
• the whole congregation (vv. 13–21)
• a ruler (vv. 22–26)
• a common person (vv. 27–35)

St Gregory the Great teaches:

“Greater dignity brings greater responsibility.”
(Homilies)

Typology:

All sin needs atonement,
but leaders wound more deeply.

Christ dies for all,
but judgment weighs office more heavily.

3. The Sin of the Priest

“If the anointed priest sins…” (v. 3)

The priest represents the people.

St Jerome comments:

“The sin of the priest becomes the sin of the people.”
(Commentary)

Typology:

Adam was priest of creation.
His fall infected all.

Christ, the true Priest,
heals what Adam wounded.

4. A Young Bull Without Blemish

(v. 3)

This is the same victim as the burnt offering.

St Ambrose writes:

“The same victim serves for sin and for consecration.”
(On the Mysteries)

Typology:

Christ is both:

• sacrifice for sin
• offering of obedience

One Cross answers many needs.

5. Laying Hands and Slaughtering

(v. 4)

The priest lays hands
and kills the bull.

St Augustine teaches:

“The sinner confesses by touch and condemns himself by blood.”
(Sermons)

Typology:

Human guilt falls on Christ.
Human sin kills Christ.

Yet divine mercy accepts the death.

6. Blood Brought Inside the Sanctuary

“The priest shall dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle it seven times before the LORD, in front of the veil.” (v. 6)

This is new:

Blood enters the Holy Place.

St Gregory the Great writes:

“Sin stains not only man but the house of God.”
(Homilies)

Typology:

Christ enters heaven itself
with His own blood:

“He entered once for all into the holy place… by His own blood.” (Heb 9:12)

7. The Horns of the Altar

(v. 7)

Blood is put on the altar’s horns
(the place of power and refuge).

St Jerome comments:

“The altar is cleansed where prayer rises.”
(Commentary)

Typology:

The Cross becomes the true altar
where mercy is proclaimed.

Strength is found
in sacrifice.

8. The Fat Burned to the LORD

(vv. 8–10)

The richest part
belongs to God.

St Augustine writes:

“God claims the inward and the best.”
(City of God)

Typology:

Christ offers not scraps of obedience
but His whole interior life.

The heart of Christ
is given to the Father.

9. The Body Burned Outside the Camp

(v. 12)

The carcass is taken
outside the camp and burned.

St Jerome notes:

“What bears sin is driven away from the holy place.”
(Commentary)

Typology:

Christ suffers outside Jerusalem:

“Jesus suffered outside the gate.” (Heb 13:12)

Sin is carried out.
The people are cleansed.

10. The Sin of the Whole Congregation

(vv. 13–21)

If the whole people err,
the same sacrifice is offered.

St Gregory the Great teaches:

“Public guilt requires public healing.”
(Homilies)

Typology:

The world fell in Adam.
The world is healed in Christ.

One sacrifice
for many sinners.

11. The Sin of a Ruler

(vv. 22–26)

A male goat is offered.

St Ambrose writes:

“Authority does not excuse guilt; it increases it.”
(On the Duties of the Clergy)

Typology:

Kings and governors
are under God.

Christ dies not only for peasants
but for princes.

12. The Sin of a Common Person

(vv. 27–35)

A female goat or lamb is offered.

St Jerome comments:

“The Law makes provision for the weakest.”
(Commentary)

Typology:

Christ stoops to the lowly.

No one is too small
to need mercy.

13. The Constant Refrain: “And He Shall Be Forgiven”

(vv. 20, 26, 31, 35)

This phrase is repeated.

St Augustine teaches:

“The Law promises forgiveness, but only the Cross gives it.”
(Sermons)

Typology:

The sacrifices proclaim
what Christ accomplishes.

They forgive in sign;
He forgives in truth.

14. The Meaning of the Sin Offering

This sacrifice teaches:

• sin pollutes
• blood cleanses
• guilt is transferable
• forgiveness is costly

It preaches:

Someone must die
so the sinner may live.

15. Christ and the Sin Offering

Christ fulfills Leviticus 4 as:

• the victim without blemish
• the bearer of guilt
• the blood brought into heaven
• the sacrifice outside the camp
• the cleanser of God’s people
• the giver of forgiveness

“He bore our sins in His body on the tree.” (1 Pet 2:24)

16. The Church and the Sin Offering

In Christ, the Church learns:

• confession of sin
• need for atonement
• humility before God
• reliance on mercy

St John writes:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us.” (1 John 1:9)

The altar becomes the Cross.
The blood becomes sacramental grace.

Spiritual Application

Do not ignore small sins.

Confess hidden faults.

Remember leaders are accountable.

Trust in Christ’s blood alone.

Carry sin outside the camp.

Rejoice in forgiveness.

Christ in Leviticus 4

Jesus is:

• the Sin Bearer
• the True Priest
• the Blood of Atonement
• the Victim outside the gate
• the Cleanser of the Sanctuary
• the Forgiver of the Guilty
• the Healer of the Polluted

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
true Sin Offering and High Priest of the New Covenant,
You bore our guilt outside the city
and entered heaven with Your own blood
to cleanse us from every stain.

Reveal to us the seriousness of sin
and the greatness of Your mercy.
Teach us to confess what we have done in weakness,
to trust Your sacrifice alone for forgiveness,
and to live as a people purified by Your grace.

Carry our sins far from us,
cleanse the sanctuary of our hearts,
and keep us faithful in repentance,
until the day when sin is no more
and we stand forgiven before You
in the Kingdom of God
for ever and ever.

Amen.