Bible Strands
Leviticus 4:21
Then he is to take the bull outside the camp and burn it, just as he burned the first bull. It is the sin offering for the assembly.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The text addresses the priest, instructing him on the disposal procedure for a specific sin offering after the atonement ritual is complete. This command occurs within the broader legislative framework governing unintentional sins for the assembly and its leaders.
The words — The verb הוֹצִיא (ho.Tzi') means "he will bring out," paired with שָׂרַף (sa.Raf), meaning "he will burn." These terms specify the physical removal of the bull from the camp and its subsequent destruction by fire.
The thread — The disposal pattern reappears in Leviticus 4:11 regarding the hide and flesh of the bull, while Leviticus 16:15 details the parallel slaughter and blood application of the goat sin offering. Leviticus 16:21 extends the removal motif to the scapegoat sent away for the people's iniquities.
Why it lands — The verse requires the reader to recognize that atonement for corporate sin involves complete removal of the offering's remains outside the community. This establishes a procedural boundary separating the sanctified ritual space from the location of disposal.
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
And he shall carry forth the bullock without the camp, and burn him as he burned the first bullock: it is a sin offering for the congregation.
Cross-references
- Leviticus 16:15 Aaron shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and bring its blood behind the veil, and with its blood he must do as he did with the bull’s blood: He is to sprinkle it against the mercy seat and in front of it.
- Leviticus 4:11 But the hide of the bull and all its flesh, with its head and legs and its entrails and dung—
- Leviticus 16:21 Then he is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the iniquities and rebellious acts of the Israelites in regard to all their sins. He is to put them on the goat’s head and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man appointed for the task.
- 2 Chronicles 29:21 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.
- Ezra 8:35 Then the exiles who had returned from captivity sacrificed burnt offerings to the God of Israel: 12 bulls for all Israel, 96 rams, 77 lambs, and a sin offering of 12 male goats. All this was a burnt offering to the LORD.
- Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
- 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 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,