Bible Strands
Leviticus 4:14
when 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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The text addresses the whole congregation of Israel at the moment they realize their unintentional violation of a divine commandment has escaped the assembly’s notice. Moses records this instruction as the required procedural response to recognized corporate guilt.
The words — The Hebrew verb נֽוֹדְעָה (nod‘ah) means “it will be made known,” marking the transition from hidden error to recognized guilt. The noun הַֽ/חַטָּ֔את (ha·chattat) denotes “the sin,” specifying the exact transgression that triggers the offering requirement.
The thread — This sequence of conviction followed by a specific animal offering appears when the anointed priest sins in Leviticus 4:3, and when individual leaders become aware of their guilt in Leviticus 4:23 and Leviticus 4:28. Each instance ties the moment of awareness directly to a prescribed sacrificial response.
Why it lands — The passage requires the community to halt its routines and formally present a designated animal at the Tent of Meeting once guilt is acknowledged. It establishes that corporate responsibility demands a structured, observable act of atonement rather than informal repentance.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
When the sin, which they have sinned against it, is known, then the congregation shall offer a young bullock for the sin, and bring him before the tabernacle of the congregation.
Cross-references
- Leviticus 4:3 If the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, he must bring to the LORD a young bull without blemish as a sin offering for the sin he has committed.
- Leviticus 4:23 When he becomes aware of the sin he has committed, he must bring an unblemished male goat as his offering.
- Leviticus 4:28 When he becomes aware of the sin he has committed, he must bring an unblemished female goat as his offering for that sin.