Then the anointed priestThe term "anointed priest" refers to the high priest, who was consecrated with holy anointing oil as described in
Exodus 29:7. This anointing set him apart for his sacred duties, symbolizing the Holy Spirit's empowerment. The high priest served as a mediator between God and the people, a role that foreshadows Jesus Christ, our ultimate High Priest (
Hebrews 4:14-16).
is to bring
This action signifies the priest's responsibility to act on behalf of the people. The priest's role was not passive; he actively participated in the atonement process, highlighting the necessity of intercession in the relationship between God and humanity.
some of the bull’s blood
Blood was central to the sacrificial system, representing life and atonement for sin (Leviticus 17:11). The use of a bull, a valuable and significant offering, underscores the gravity of sin and the costliness of atonement. This prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, whose blood was shed for the remission of sins (Hebrews 9:22).
into the Tent of Meeting
The Tent of Meeting, also known as the Tabernacle, was the portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites. It was a sacred space where God met with His people, and the presence of the blood there symbolized the cleansing and sanctification necessary for communion with God. This anticipates the New Covenant, where believers have direct access to God through Christ (Hebrews 10:19-22).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The Anointed PriestThis refers to the high priest, who is consecrated and set apart for the service of God. In the context of Leviticus, the high priest acts as a mediator between God and the people of Israel.
2.
The BullThe bull is used as a sin offering in this passage. It symbolizes the atonement for sin, representing the seriousness of sin and the need for a sacrificial substitute.
3.
The Tent of MeetingAlso known as the Tabernacle, this was the portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites. It served as the central place of worship and sacrifice.
4.
BloodIn the Hebrew context, blood represents life and is used for atonement. The act of bringing the blood into the Tent of Meeting signifies the cleansing and forgiveness of sin.
5.
Sin OfferingThis is a specific type of offering in the Levitical system designed to atone for unintentional sins and restore the relationship between the sinner and God.
Teaching Points
The Role of the PriestThe high priest serves as a mediator, foreshadowing Christ's role as our ultimate High Priest. Reflect on how Jesus intercedes for us today.
The Seriousness of SinThe need for a sin offering underscores the gravity of sin. Consider how sin separates us from God and the importance of seeking forgiveness.
The Power of SacrificeThe sacrificial system points to the necessity of atonement. Reflect on how Christ's sacrifice fulfills and surpasses the Old Testament sacrifices.
The Presence of GodThe Tent of Meeting symbolizes God's desire to dwell among His people. Contemplate how we can cultivate God's presence in our lives today.
The Symbolism of BloodBlood as a symbol of life and atonement is central to both the Old and New Testaments. Reflect on the significance of Christ's blood in your personal redemption account.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Leviticus 4:16?
2.How does Leviticus 4:16 emphasize the priest's role in atoning for sin?
3.What can we learn about sin's seriousness from Leviticus 4:16?
4.How does Leviticus 4:16 connect to Jesus as our High Priest?
5.How can we apply the principles of atonement in Leviticus 4:16 today?
6.What does Leviticus 4:16 teach about God's provision for forgiveness?
7.What is the significance of the anointed priest in Leviticus 4:16?
8.How does Leviticus 4:16 relate to the concept of atonement?
9.Why is the priest's role crucial in Leviticus 4:16?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 4?
11.Is confessing sins to a priest biblically supported?
12.What does 'expiation' mean in Christian theology?
13.In Psalm 133:2, does the image of oil running down Aaron's beard have literal historic authenticity or is it purely symbolic?
14.What is the purpose of a sin offering?What Does Leviticus 4:16 Mean
Then the anointed priest• Scripture puts the responsibility on “the anointed priest,” the high priest set apart by sacred oil and divine appointment (Leviticus 4:3;Exodus 28:41).
• His anointing marks him as mediator for the whole nation, so his actions carry covenant-wide impact (Leviticus 16:32;Numbers 35:25).
• This points forward to “Jesus the great high priest who has passed through the heavens” (Hebrews 4:14), the ultimate Anointed One.
• Because God made this office and moment literal history, the passage assures us that atonement rests on God’s own provision, not human invention.
is to bring• The verb signals an imperative—obedience is not optional. When God gives a command, faith responds with action (1 Samuel 15:22;James 2:17-18).
• The priest doesn’t innovate; he follows God’s revealed pattern, reminding us that worship is defined by Scripture, not preference (Exodus 40:16).
• In Christ we see the perfect fulfillment of flawless obedience: “I have come to do Your will, O God” (Hebrews 10:7).
some of the bull’s blood• Blood is central because, “the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you…to make atonement for your souls” (Leviticus 17:11).
• Only “some” is carried inside; the rest is poured out at the altar’s base (Leviticus 4:7), underscoring ordered, purposeful sacrifice.
• Old-covenant blood foreshadows the once-for-all sacrifice: Christ “entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood” (Hebrews 9:12).
• Literal, physical blood underscores the cost of sin and the concreteness of God’s remedy.
into the Tent of Meeting• The Tent of Meeting is where God promises, “there I will meet with the Israelites” (Exodus 29:42); it represents access to His presence.
• Carrying the blood inside, the priest sprinkles it “seven times before the LORD, in front of the veil” (Leviticus 4:6), visually bridging the gap sin created.
• Hebrews ties the earthly tent to the heavenly: “Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with hands…but heaven itself” (Hebrews 9:24).
• The movement from courtyard to sanctuary teaches that reconciliation moves us from distance to closeness with God.
summaryLeviticus 4:16 pictures a real priest, acting under divine command, bringing lifeblood into God’s dwelling so that sinful people might be cleansed. Each detail—the anointed mediator, the obedient act, the costly blood, the sacred space—finds its fullness in Jesus, whose perfect sacrifice secures eternal access to God for all who trust Him.
(16-21) The rest of the regulations are exactly the same as those prescribed in the sin offering for the high priest himself in
Leviticus 4:5-12.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Then the anointedהַמָּשִׁ֖יחַ(ham·mā·šî·aḥ)Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 4899:Anointed, a consecrated person, the Messiahpriestהַכֹּהֵ֥ן(hak·kō·hên)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548:Priestis to bringוְהֵבִ֛יא(wə·hê·ḇî)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935:To come in, come, go in, gosome of the bull’sהַפָּ֑ר(hap·pār)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6499:Young bull, steerbloodמִדַּ֣ם(mid·dam)Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1818:Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshedintoאֶל־(’el-)Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, tothe Tentאֹ֖הֶל(’ō·hel)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 168:A tentof Meeting,מוֹעֵֽד׃(mō·w·‘êḏ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4150:Appointed time, place, or meeting
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OT Law: Leviticus 4:16 The anointed priest shall bring (Le Lv Lev.) 
