He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offeringThis act of laying hands on the offering symbolizes identification and transfer. In ancient Israelite culture, this gesture signified the transfer of the individual's sins onto the animal, representing a substitutionary atonement. The laying on of hands is a recurring biblical theme, seen in the ordination of priests (
Numbers 8:10) and the commissioning of leaders (
Deuteronomy 34:9). It signifies a personal connection and responsibility, emphasizing the offerer's active role in the sacrificial process.
so it can be accepted on his behalf
The acceptance of the offering on behalf of the individual highlights the concept of substitutionary atonement, where the animal takes the place of the sinner. This principle is foundational in the sacrificial system and foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who was accepted by God on behalf of humanity (Ephesians 5:2). The acceptance also indicates God's willingness to forgive and restore the relationship between Himself and the offerer.
to make atonement for him
Atonement involves reconciliation between God and humanity, achieved through the covering or removal of sin. In the Old Testament, atonement was a central theme, with the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) being the most significant observance (Leviticus 16). The Hebrew word for atonement, "kaphar," means to cover, cleanse, or appease. This sacrificial system points to the ultimate atonement made by Jesus Christ, whose death and resurrection provide the final and complete atonement for sin (Hebrews 9:12-14). The concept of atonement underscores the seriousness of sin and the necessity of a mediator between God and humanity.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The OffererThe individual bringing the burnt offering, representing the sinner seeking atonement.
2.
The Burnt OfferingA sacrificial animal, typically a bull, sheep, or goat, offered entirely to God as a symbol of complete surrender and atonement.
3.
The AltarThe place where the burnt offering is presented and sacrificed, symbolizing the meeting point between God and man.
4.
The PriestThe mediator who performs the sacrificial rites, representing the role of intercession between God and the offerer.
5.
The TabernacleThe sacred place where the offerings are made, representing God's dwelling among His people.
Teaching Points
Understanding AtonementThe laying of hands on the burnt offering signifies the transfer of sin and the need for atonement. This act foreshadows Christ's atoning work on the cross.
Symbol of Complete SurrenderThe burnt offering, consumed entirely by fire, represents total dedication to God. Believers are called to live lives fully surrendered to Him.
Role of the MediatorThe priest's role in the sacrificial process highlights the necessity of a mediator. Jesus is our ultimate High Priest, interceding on our behalf.
God's Provision for SinThe sacrificial system demonstrates God's provision for dealing with sin, pointing to the ultimate provision in Jesus Christ.
Personal Reflection and RepentanceThe act of laying hands on the offering invites personal reflection on one's sinfulness and the need for repentance and forgiveness.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Leviticus 1:4?
2.How does Leviticus 1:4 illustrate the concept of atonement in the Old Testament?
3.What is the significance of laying hands on the offering in Leviticus 1:4?
4.How does Leviticus 1:4 connect to Christ's sacrificial role in the New Testament?
5.In what ways can we apply the principle of atonement in our lives today?
6.How does Leviticus 1:4 deepen our understanding of sin and reconciliation with God?
7.What does Leviticus 1:4 reveal about the concept of atonement in the Old Testament?
8.How does Leviticus 1:4 foreshadow the New Testament understanding of sacrifice?
9.Why is the laying of hands significant in Leviticus 1:4?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 1?
11.What is the significance of a burnt offering?
12.How does the ritual laying on of hands in Numbers 8:10 align or conflict with other priestly consecration rites in the Torah?
13.What was the purpose of Old Testament animal sacrifices?
14.Why did God require blood sacrifice in religious practices?What Does Leviticus 1:4 Mean
He is to lay his handPutting a hand on the sacrifice pulled the worshiper into the moment. It declared, “This animal stands in my place.”
•Leviticus 4:4 shows the same scene: “He is to bring the bull to the front of the Tent of Meeting before the LORD, lay his hand on the bull’s head, and slaughter it before the LORD.”
•Exodus 29:10 confirms it was never optional for Israel’s priests or people.
• By touching the animal, the offerer acknowledged personal sin and need, rather than sending a servant or relying on ritual alone.
on the head of the burnt offeringThe head represents the whole creature—identity, life, will.
•Isaiah 53:6 pictures our guilt transferred to Christ: “the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.”
•2 Corinthians 5:21 echoes substitution: “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf.”
• The burnt offering was entirely consumed (Leviticus 1:9); placing the hand on its head underscored total surrender.
so it can be acceptedGod Himself determines what is acceptable. The worshiper can do nothing to improve the sacrifice; he simply obeys.
•Genesis 4:4 records God accepting Abel and his offering, not because of Abel’s merit but because the offering met God’s standard.
•Ephesians 1:6 explains that believers are “freely given [grace] in the Beloved One,” showing acceptance is rooted in God’s provision, not human effort.
•Romans 12:1 urges us to present our bodies as “living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God,” reflecting this ongoing call to offer what He accepts.
on his behalfThe animal bridged the gap between a holy God and a sinful person.
•Hebrews 9:24 points to Christ, who “entered heaven itself, now to appear on our behalf in God’s presence.”
•1 John 2:2 reminds us that Jesus “is the atoning sacrifice for our sins,” the ultimate Substitute.
• The phrase underlines representation: one life stands for another before the Lord.
to make atonement for himAtonement means covering guilt and restoring fellowship.
•Leviticus 17:11 explains, “it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.”
•Hebrews 9:22 adds, “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”
•1 Peter 1:18-19 celebrates the fulfillment: we are redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.”
summaryLeviticus 1:4 pictures a sinner laying his hand on a spotless victim that will die in his place. The touch personalizes sin, the head symbolizes full substitution, acceptance comes only on God’s terms, the sacrifice acts on the worshiper’s behalf, and its blood secures atonement. This ceremony pointed forward to Jesus Christ, whose once-for-all sacrifice perfectly meets every element of the verse, providing eternal acceptance and reconciliation for all who trust Him.
(4)
And he shall put his hand.--Or,
lay his hand,as the same phrase is rendered in
Leviticus 3:2-3;
Leviticus 3:17, &c. The laying on of hands by the offerer on the victim was enjoined not only in the case of burnt offerings, but also in peace offerings (
Leviticus 3:2;
Leviticus 3:7;
Leviticus 3:13;
Leviticus 8:22, &c.) and in sin offerings (
Leviticus 4:4;
Leviticus 4:15;
Leviticus 4:24;
Leviticus 4:29;
Leviticus 4:33;
Leviticus 8:14, &c.). The offerer indicated thereby both the surrender of his ownership of the victim, and the transfer to it of' the feelings by which he was influenced in performing this act of dedication to the Lord. From the practice which obtained during the second Temple, we know that the offerer himself laid both his hands between the two horns of the animal whilst alive, and that no proxy could do it. If several offered one sacrifice, each one laid his hand separately on the victim, confessing his sins and saying, "I have sinned, I have committed iniquity, I have transgressed and I have done this and this, but I repent before Thee, and this is my atonement." . . .
Verse 4. -
And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering. This putting, or forcibly leaning, the hand on the victim's head, which is the most essential part of the oblation of the victim, was a symbolical act implying "This animal is now for present purposes myself, and its life is my life." It was this act of identification with the offerer which made it
be accepted for him to make atonement (literally,
covering)
for him. The sin offering is the sacrifice which especially symbolizes and ceremonially effects atonement, but the idea of atonement is not absent from the burnt sacrifice. The aspect under which atonement is presented here and elsewhere in the Old Testament is that of covering. But it is not the sin that is covered, but the sinner. Owing to his sin, the latter is exposed to the wrath of a just God, but something intervenes whereby he is covered, and he ceases, therefore, to attract the Divine anger and punishment. No longer being an object of wrath, he becomes at once an object of benevolence and mercy. The covering provided by a sacrifice is the blood or life of an animal, symbolically representing the offerer's own life freely surrendered by him
for his acceptance, and typically foreshadowing the blood of Christ.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
He is to layוְסָמַ֣ךְ(wə·sā·maḵ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5564:To prop, to lean upon, take hold ofhis handיָד֔וֹ(yā·ḏōw)Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3027:A handonעַ֖ל(‘al)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstthe headרֹ֣אשׁ(rōš)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7218:The headof the burnt offering,הָעֹלָ֑ה(hā·‘ō·lāh)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5930:Whole burnt offeringso it can be acceptedוְנִרְצָ֥ה(wə·nir·ṣāh)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7521:To be pleased with, to satisfy a, debton his behalfל֖וֹ(lōw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrewto make atonementלְכַפֵּ֥ר(lə·ḵap·pêr)Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3722:To cover, to expiate, condone, to placate, cancelfor him.עָלָֽיו׃(‘ā·lāw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, against
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OT Law: Leviticus 1:4 He shall lay his hand (Le Lv Lev.) 
