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◄ Leviticus 4:15►

New International Version
The elders of the community are to lay their hands on the bull’s head before the LORD, and the bull shall be slaughtered before the LORD.

New Living Translation
The elders of the community must then lay their hands on the bull’s head and slaughter it before the LORD.

English Standard Version
And 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.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before the LORD. Then the bull shall be killed before the LORD.

New American Standard Bible
Then the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before the LORD, and the bull shall be slaughtered before the LORD.

NASB 1995
‘Then the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before the LORD, and the bull shall be slain before the LORD.

NASB 1977
‘Then the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before the LORD, and the bull shall be slain before the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before Yahweh, and the bull shall be slaughtered before Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
Then the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before the LORD [to transfer symbolically the congregation’s guilt to the sacrifice], and they shall kill the bull before the LORD.

Christian Standard Bible
The elders of the community are to lay their hands on the bull’s head before the LORD and it is to be slaughtered before the LORD.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The elders of the community are to lay their hands on the bull’s head before the LORD and it is to be slaughtered before the LORD.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
where your tribal leaders will lay their hands on its head, before having it killed in my presence.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The leaders of the congregation will place their hands on the bull's head in the LORD's presence. One of them will slaughter it in the LORD's presence.

Good News Translation
the leaders of the community shall put their hands on its head, and it shall be killed there.

International Standard Version
where the elders of the community are to lay their hands on the head of the bull in the LORD's presence and slaughter it.

NET Bible
the elders of the congregation must lay their hands on the head of the bull before the LORD, and someone must slaughter the bull before the LORD.

New Heart English Bible
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.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
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.

World English Bible
The elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before Yahweh; and the bull shall be killed before Yahweh.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and the elderly of the congregation have laid their hands on the head of the bullock, before YHWH, and [one] has slaughtered the bullock before YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
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.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the old men of the assembly placed their hands upon the head of the bullock before Jehovah: and slaughtered the bullock before Jehovah.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
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,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the elders of the people shall place their hands upon its head in the sight of the Lord. And when the calf has been immolated in the sight of the Lord,

New American Bible
The elders of the community shall lay their hands on the bull’s head before the LORD. When the bull has been slaughtered before the LORD,

New Revised Standard Version
The elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before the LORD, and the bull shall be slaughtered before the LORD.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
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.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Elders of the Assembly shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before LORD JEHOVAH and they shall kill the bull before LORD JEHOVAH.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the calf before the Lord, and they shall slay the calf before the Lord.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Laws for Sin Offerings
…14when they become aware of the sin they have committed, then the assembly must bring a young bull as a sin offering and present it before the Tent of Meeting.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,…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Hebrews 9:7
But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.

Hebrews 9:12-14
He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption. / For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean, / how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!

Hebrews 13:11
Although the high priest brings the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, the bodies are burned outside the camp.

Numbers 15:24-25
and if it was done unintentionally without the knowledge of the congregation, then the whole congregation is to prepare one young bull as a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD, with its grain offering and drink offering according to the regulation, and one male goat as a sin offering. / The priest is to make atonement for the whole congregation of Israel, so that they may be forgiven; for the sin was unintentional and they have brought to the LORD a food offering and a sin offering, presented before the LORD for their unintentional sin.

Numbers 15:27-28
Also, if one person sins unintentionally, he is to present a year-old female goat as a sin offering. / And the priest shall make atonement before the LORD on behalf of the person who erred by sinning unintentionally; and when atonement has been made for him, he will be forgiven.

2 Chronicles 29:21-24
They brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs, and seven male goats as a sin offering for the kingdom, for the sanctuary, and for Judah. And the king commanded the priests, the descendants of Aaron, to offer them on the altar of the LORD. / So they slaughtered the bulls, and the priests took the blood and splattered it on the altar. They slaughtered the rams and splattered the blood on the altar. And they slaughtered the lambs and splattered the blood on the altar. / Then they brought the goats for the sin offering before the king and the assembly, who laid their hands on them. ...

Hebrews 10:4
because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Hebrews 10:10-12
And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. / Day after day every priest stands to minister and to offer again and again the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. / But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God.

1 John 2:2
He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

Romans 3:25
God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice in His blood through faith, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand.

Romans 8:3
For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh,

Isaiah 53:10
Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush Him and to cause Him to suffer; and when His soul is made a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.

Isaiah 53:12
Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.

2 Corinthians 5:21
God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

1 Peter 2:24
He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.”

Treasury of Scripture

And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bullock before the LORD: and the bullock shall be killed before the LORD.

the elders

Exodus 24:1,9
And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off…

Numbers 11:16,25
And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee…

Deuteronomy 21:3-9
And it shall be,that the citywhich is next unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take an heifer, which hath not been wrought with,and which hath not drawn in the yoke; …

lay

Leviticus 4:4
And he shall bring the bullock unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD; and shall lay his hand upon the bullock's head, and kill the bullock before the LORD.

Leviticus 1:4
And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.

Leviticus 16:21
And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall sendhim away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:

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Leviticus 4

1.The sin offering of ignorance
3.for the priest
13.for the congregation
22.for the ruler
27.for any of the people

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

The elders of the congregation
In ancient Israel, the elders were respected leaders and representatives of the people. They held positions of authority and were responsible for making decisions on behalf of the community. This reflects the communal nature of sin and atonement in Israelite society, where leaders acted on behalf of the people. The role of elders is seen throughout the Old Testament, such as inExodus 3:16 andNumbers 11:16, where they are involved in significant religious and communal decisions.

are to lay their hands on the bull’s head
The act of laying hands on the bull's head symbolizes the transfer of sin from the people to the sacrificial animal. This ritual act signifies identification and substitution, where the bull takes on the sin of the congregation. This practice is a precursor to the concept of substitutionary atonement, which is fully realized in the New Testament with Jesus Christ as the ultimate sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 9:12-14).

before the LORD
The phrase "before the LORD" indicates that this ritual is performed in the presence of God, likely at the entrance of the Tabernacle, where God's presence dwelt among the Israelites. This emphasizes the seriousness of the act and the need for divine acknowledgment and acceptance of the sacrifice. It underscores the belief that all sin is ultimately against God, as seen inPsalm 51:4.

and it shall be slaughtered
The slaughtering of the bull is a critical part of the sacrificial process, representing the death required to atone for sin. This act foreshadows the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, who was "slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8) to atone for humanity's sins. The shedding of blood is a central theme in the sacrificial system, as seen inLeviticus 17:11, which states that "it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life."

before the LORD
Reiterating the phrase emphasizes the importance of performing the sacrifice in God's presence, ensuring that the act is not merely ritualistic but a genuine appeal for divine forgiveness. This repetition highlights the necessity of God's approval and the sacredness of the sacrificial system, which points to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who offered Himself "once for all" (Hebrews 10:10) in the presence of God.

Persons / Places / Events

1.Elders of the Congregation
These are the leaders or representatives of the Israelite community, responsible for spiritual and communal oversight.

2.The Bull
A sacrificial animal used in the sin offering, symbolizing atonement for the community's unintentional sins.

3.The LORD
Refers to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, who prescribes the sacrificial system for atonement.

4.The Congregation
The assembly of the Israelites, representing the collective body of God's people.

5.The Tabernacle
The place where sacrifices were made, symbolizing God's dwelling among His people.

Teaching Points

The Role of Leadership in Atonement
Elders represent the community in seeking forgiveness, highlighting the importance of godly leadership in spiritual matters.

The Significance of Substitutionary Sacrifice
The laying on of hands symbolizes the transfer of sin, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins.

Communal Responsibility for Sin
The entire congregation is implicated in the sin offering, teaching us about the corporate nature of sin and the need for communal repentance.

The Holiness of God
The requirement for a sin offering underscores God's holiness and the seriousness of sin, reminding us of the need for purity in our relationship with Him.

The Fulfillment in Christ
The Old Testament sacrificial system is a shadow of the perfect sacrifice of Jesus, encouraging us to live in the light of His atonement.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of Leviticus 4:15?

2.How does Leviticus 4:15 illustrate the importance of communal responsibility for sin?

3.What role do the elders play in the atonement process in Leviticus 4:15?

4.How does Leviticus 4:15 connect to Christ's sacrifice as our sin offering?

5.In what ways can we apply communal repentance in our church today?

6.Why is laying hands on the bull significant in Leviticus 4:15?

7.What is the significance of the elders laying hands on the bull in Leviticus 4:15?

8.How does Leviticus 4:15 reflect the concept of communal responsibility for sin?

9.Why is animal sacrifice necessary for atonement in Leviticus 4:15?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 4?

11.If ancient Israelites were nomadic in the wilderness, how practical would collecting, containing, and disposing of so much blood and animal waste have been according to Leviticus 4?

12.What is the purpose of a sin offering?

13.While Leviticus 4 describes an intricate sacrificial system, why do other parts of the Bible suggest that God desires obedience over sacrifice (e.g., 1 Samuel 15:22)?

14.Numbers 15:24-29: If unintentional sins still require sacrifices, does this conflict with the notion of a merciful God who judges intent?

What Does Leviticus 4:15 Mean

The elders of the congregation

“The elders of the congregation” highlights that the spiritual leaders, not just individual worshipers, bear responsibility when the community sins (cf.Exodus 24:1;Numbers 11:16;Acts 15:2). God appointed elders to represent the whole assembly, so their actions speak for everyone. When these leaders act, the entire nation is involved, reminding us that sin—and repentance—are never merely private matters.

Are to lay their hands on the bull’s head

Placing hands on the animal (seeLeviticus 1:4; 16:21;Numbers 8:10) is a vivid, physical act that

• Identifies the animal as a substitute.

• Transfers the congregation’s guilt to the sacrifice.

• Publicly acknowledges accountability.

God required a tangible expression so the people could see that forgiveness comes at a cost.

Before the LORD

Everything happens “before the LORD,” meaning in His manifest presence at the entrance to the tent of meeting (Exodus 29:42;Psalm 95:2). Worship is never a human performance for spectators; it is an offering set directly before the living God who sees, hears, and judges.

And it shall be slaughtered before the LORD

The bull, the costliest animal, is killed in God’s presence, emphasizing both the seriousness of sin and the sufficiency of the atonement He provides (Leviticus 4:4; 17:11;Hebrews 9:22). Blood will shortly be applied to the altar, underscoring that “the life of the flesh is in the blood” (Leviticus 17:11), and foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, “the Lamb of God” (John 1:29) whose blood cleanses every believer once for all (Hebrews 10:10).

summary

Leviticus 4:15 teaches that when the nation sins, its leaders must publicly acknowledge guilt, identify with a substitutionary sacrifice, and present it in God’s presence so that atonement can be made. The verse underscores communal responsibility, the necessity of a blameless substitute, and the gravity of approaching a holy God—truths perfectly fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who bore our sins and reconciled us to the Father.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(15)And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands.--As the whole congregation could not lay their hands on the victim, their representatives had to perform this act. (SeeLeviticus 4:4.) But as the elders also were far too many to do it, since they were seventy in number, it was ordained during the second Temple that three of their members should lay their hands upon the sacrifice. Besides this sin offering there was only one other congregational offering upon which there was this laying of hands: i.e., the scape-goat (Leviticus 16:21).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

The elders
זִקְנֵ֨י(ziq·nê)
Adjective - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2205:Old

of the congregation
הָעֵדָ֧ה(hā·‘ê·ḏāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5712:A stated assemblage

are to lay
וְ֠סָמְכוּ(wə·sā·mə·ḵū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5564:To prop, to lean upon, take hold of

their hands
יְדֵיהֶ֛ם(yə·ḏê·hem)
Noun - fdc | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3027:A hand

on
עַל־(‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, against

the bull’s
הַפָּ֖ר(hap·pār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6499:Young bull, steer

head
רֹ֥אשׁ(rōš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7218:The head

before
לִפְנֵ֣י(lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440:The face

the LORD,
יְהוָ֑ה(Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

and it
הַפָּ֖ר(hap·pār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6499:Young bull, steer

shall be slaughtered
וְשָׁחַ֥ט(wə·šā·ḥaṭ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7819:To slaughter, beat

before
לִפְנֵ֥י(lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440:The face

the LORD.
יְהוָֽה׃(Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

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OT Law: Leviticus 4:15 The elders of the congregation shall lay (Le Lv Lev.)