Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of the Sin Offering is a significant element in the sacrificial system of ancient Israel, as outlined in the Old Testament. It is primarily detailed in the book of Leviticus, which serves as a manual for the Levitical priesthood and the Israelites regarding worship and atonement practices.
Biblical FoundationThe Sin Offering is introduced in
Leviticus 4, where it is prescribed for unintentional sins committed by individuals or the community. The Hebrew term for Sin Offering is "chattat," which signifies an offering made to atone for sin and restore the sinner to a state of ritual purity. The offering underscores the gravity of sin and the necessity of atonement to maintain a covenant relationship with God.
Purpose and ProcedureThe primary purpose of the Sin Offering was to atone for unintentional sins and to cleanse the sanctuary from the defilement caused by sin. It was distinct from other offerings, such as the Burnt Offering or the Peace Offering, in its specific focus on sin and purification.
The procedure for the Sin Offering varied depending on the status of the sinner:
1.
For the Anointed Priest: If the anointed priest sinned, he was to offer a young bull without blemish. The priest would lay his hand on the bull's head, slaughter it, and then sprinkle its blood seven times before the LORD, in front of the veil of the sanctuary (
Leviticus 4:3-6).
2.
For the Whole Congregation: If the entire Israelite community sinned unintentionally, they were to offer a young bull. The elders of the congregation would lay their hands on the bull's head before it was slaughtered. The priest would then bring some of the blood into the Tent of Meeting and sprinkle it before the veil (
Leviticus 4:13-17).
3.
For a Leader: If a leader sinned, he was to bring a male goat without blemish. The leader would lay his hand on the goat's head and slaughter it. The priest would then apply some of the blood to the horns of the altar of burnt offering (
Leviticus 4:22-25).
4.
For a Common Person: If an individual sinned, they were to bring a female goat or lamb without blemish. The sinner would lay their hand on the animal's head and slaughter it. The priest would then apply the blood to the altar (
Leviticus 4:27-30).
Theological SignificanceThe Sin Offering highlights the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin. It served as a tangible reminder of the need for atonement and the cost of sin. The shedding of blood was necessary for the forgiveness of sins, as stated in
Hebrews 9:22 : "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."
The Sin Offering also foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who is described as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (
John 1:29). In the New Testament, Christ's sacrificial death is seen as the fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrificial system, providing a once-for-all atonement for sin (
Hebrews 10:10).
Cultural and Historical ContextIn the ancient Near Eastern context, sacrificial systems were common among various cultures. However, the Israelite sacrificial system was unique in its monotheistic focus and its covenantal relationship with Yahweh. The Sin Offering was integral to maintaining the purity and holiness required by the covenant, emphasizing the distinctiveness of Israel's worship and ethical standards.
ConclusionThe Sin Offering is a profound element of the Old Testament sacrificial system, reflecting the seriousness of sin and the necessity of atonement. It points forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who provides complete and final atonement for sin, fulfilling the requirements of the law and establishing a new covenant with humanity.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Sin OfferingSIN OFFERING
SeeSACRIFICE.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Sin OfferingThe sin offering among the Jews was the sacrifice in which the ideas of propitiation and of atonement for sin were most distinctly marked. The ceremonial of the sin offering is described in Levi 4 and 6. The trespass offering is closely connected with the sin offering in Leviticus, but at the same time clearly distinguished from it, being in some cases offered with it as a distinct part of the same sacrifice; as, for example, in the cleansing of the leper. Levi 14. The distinction of ceremonial clearly indicates a difference in the idea of the two sacrifices. The nature of that difference is still a subject of great controversy. We find that the sin offerings were --
- Regular . (a) For the whole people, at the New Moon, Passover, Pentecost, Feast of Trumpets and Feast of Tabernacles, (Numbers 28:15-29;38:1) ... besides the solemn offering of the two goats on the Great Day of Atonement. Levi 16 (B) For the priests and Levites at their consecration, (Exodus 29:10-14,36) besides the yearly sin offering (a, bullock) for the high priest on the Great Day of Atonement. (Leviticus 16:2)Special . For any sin of "ignorance" and the like recorded in Levi 4 and 5. It is seen that in the law most of the sins which are not purely ceremonial are called sins of "ignorance," see (Hebrews 9:7) and in Numb 15:30 It is expressly said that while such sins call be atoned for by offerings, "the soul that doeth aughtpresumptuously " (Heb.with a high hand) "shall be cut off from among his people." "His iniquity shall he upon him." Comp. (Hebrews 10:20) But here are sufficient indications that the sins here called "of ignorance" are more strictly those of "negligence" or "frailty" repented of by the unpunished offender, as opposed to those of deliberate and unrepentant sin. It is clear that two classes of sacrifices, although distinct, touch closely upon each other. It is also evident that the sin offering was the only regular and general recognition of sin in the abstract and accordingly was for more solemn and symbolical in it's ceremonial; the trespass offering was confined to special cases, most of which related to the doing of some material damage, either to the holy things or to man. Josephus declares that the sin offering is presented by those "who fall into sin in ignorance." and the trespass offering by "one who has sinned and is conscious of his sin. But has no one to convict him thereof." Without attempting to decide so difficult and so controverted a question, we may draw the following conclusions. First, that the sin offering was for the more solemn and comprehensive of the two sacrifices. Secondly, that the sin offering looked more to the guilt of the sin done, irrespective of its consequences, while the trespass offering looked to the evil consequences of sin, either against the service of God or against man, and to the duty of atonement, as far as atonement was possible. Thirdly, that in the sin offering especially we find symbolized the acknowledgment of sinfulness as inherent in man, and of the need of expiation by sacrifice to renew the broken covenant between man and God. In considering this subject, it must he remembered that the sacrifices of the law had a temporal as well as a spiritual significance and effect. They restored sin offender to his place in the commonwealth of Israel; they were therefore an atonement to the King of Israel for the infringement of his low.
Greek
2435. hilasterion -- propitiatory... Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: hilasterion Phonetic Spelling:
(hil-as-tay'-ree-on) Short Definition: a
sin offering, covering Definition: (a)
...2434. hilasmos -- propitiation
... propitiation,sin offering. Atonement, ie (concretely) an expiator -- propitiation.
(ilasmon) -- 1 Occurrence. (ilasmos) -- 1 Occurrence. 2433, 2434....
3083. lutron -- a ransom
... especially the sacrifice by which expiation is effected, anoffering of expiation...
the which (ransoms) believers, freeing them from all slavery (bondage) tosin....
1827. exelegcho -- convince.
... "completely out from" intensifying 1651, "convict") -- properly, convict; (figuratively)
Godoffering to bring people theirsin and (revelations of faith)....
Strong's Hebrew
2403b. chattath --sin,sin offering... 2403a, 2403b. chattath. 2404 .
sin,
sin offering. Transliteration: chattath
Short Definition:
offering. Word Origin from chata Definition
...2401. chataah --sin,sin offering
... 2400, 2401. chataah. 2402 .sin,sin offering. Transliteration: chataah Phonetic
Spelling: (khat-aw-aw') Short Definition:sin....sin offering....
2409. chattaya --sin offering
... 2408, 2409. chattaya. 2410 .sin offering. Transliteration: chattaya Phonetic
Spelling: (khat-taw-yaw') Short Definition:offering....sin offering....
2402. chattaah --sin offering
... 2401, 2402. chattaah. 2403 .sin offering. Transliteration: chattaah Phonetic
Spelling: (khat-taw-aw') Short Definition:offering....sin offering...
2403. chatta'ah -- sinful thing,sin
... sinful thing,sin. Transliteration: chatta'ah Phonetic Spelling: (khat-taw-aw')
Short Definition:sin. punishment ofsin, purification forsin,offering...
817. asham -- offense, guilt
... From 'asham; guilt; by implication, a fault; also asin-offering -- guiltiness,
(offering for)sin, trespass (offering). see HEBREW 'asham. 816, 817....
819. ashmah -- wrongdoing, guiltiness
... Feminine of 'asham; guiltiness, a fault, the presentation of asin-offering -- offend,
sin, (cause of) trespass(-ing,offering). see HEBREW 'asham. 818, 819....
818. ashem -- guilty
... one which is faulty, guilty. From 'asham; guilty; hence, presenting asin-offering --
one which is faulty, guilty. see HEBREW 'asham. 817, 818. ashem. 819 >...
Library
TheSin-Offering
... TheSin-Offering. Gerhard Ter Steegen Matthew 27:46. Still, O soul! the sign and
wonder. Of all ages see". Christ, thy God, the King of glory,....
The Attack on the Book of Leviticus.
... let him bring for hissin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish
unto the Lord for asin offering." Leviticus 4:1, 2, 3.... (4) Thesin offering....
The Day of Atonement
... the cloud upon the mercy-seat.3. Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place; with
a young bullock for asin offering, and a ram for a burntoffering.4. He shall...
Sacrifice Renewed
... The first requisite for Judah's return to Jehovah, whom they had forsaken, was the
presentation of a 'sin offering.' The king and the congregation laid their...
Some Helpful Thoughts on Consecration
... The blood of one of these animals was to be shed for thesin-offering; one for
the "burntoffering," and one for the "consecration"offering....
1 John iv. 9-10
... must first be removed by God himself; and the medium, through which this was effected,
is called by John the reconciliation forsin, thesin-offering for man....
'The Scapegoat'
... good deal to rhetorical propriety to drag in an idea so foreign to the Pentateuch,
and so opposed to the plain fact, that both goats were onesin offering (v.5...
Separation to God.
... turtles, or two young pigeons, to the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of the
congregation: and the priest shall offer the one for asin-offering, and the...
The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Foreshadowed in the Ritual...
... Second, Aaron offered "a bullock of thesin-offering" to "make an atonement for
himself and for his house"(vs.6). Our Great High Priest was withoutsin, He...
The First Disciples.
... The lamb, throughout Old Testament times, was commonly used as asin-offering
(Lev.4:32), at the morning and evening sacrifice (Ex.12:21-27), at the great...
Resources
Questions about Sin (All) | GotQuestions.orgDoes the Bible teach mortal and venial sin? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I learn to hate my own sin? | GotQuestions.orgSin: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
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