Bible Strands
Leviticus 4:32
If, however, he brings a lamb as a sin offering, he must bring an unblemished female.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The text records a command delivered through Moses to the Israelite community regarding the precise procedure for a sin offering. It addresses a layperson who has committed a sin and must present a specific animal to the sanctuary.
The words — The Hebrew term תְמִימָה (temimah) literally means "unblemished" or "without defect," dictating the physical condition required. The verb יָבִיא (yavi) denotes the act of "bringing" or presenting the animal as a formal gift.
The thread — This specification for an unblemished female lamb runs parallel to the command for an unblemished female goat in Leviticus 4:28. The immediate context in Leviticus 4:31 and 4:33 outlines the subsequent ritual steps of fat removal, hand-laying, and slaughter at the altar.
Why it lands — The verse establishes a non-negotiable physical standard for the sin offering, requiring the worshiper to supply an undamaged animal. It demands concrete compliance with the ritual procedure to secure priestly atonement and forgiveness.
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 if he bring a lamb for a sin offering, he shall bring it a female without blemish.
Cross-references
- 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.
- 1 Peter 2:22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.”
- 1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit,
- John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
- Exodus 12:3 Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man must select a lamb for his family, one per household.
- Exodus 12:5 Your lamb must be an unblemished year-old male, and you may take it from the sheep or the goats.
- Leviticus 3:6 If, however, one’s peace offering to the LORD is from the flock, he must present a male or female without blemish.
- Leviticus 5:6 and he must bring his guilt offering to the LORD for the sin he has committed: a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering. And the priest will make atonement for him concerning his sin.
- Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.
- Luke 1:35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.