Leviticus 4:34
Then the priest is to take some of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and pour out the rest of its blood at the base of the altar.
Then the priest is to take some of the blood of the sin offering with his finger,

The priest handled the sacrificial blood as God’s appointed mediator for Israel. Blood represented the life given in place of the guilty worshiper, for “the life of the flesh is in the blood” (Leviticus 17:11). Sin brought defilement and death, requiring cleansing through the life of an innocent substitute. The priest’s careful service showed that atonement could not be approached casually. Jesus Christ fulfilled this priestly ministry as the great High Priest, entering before God through His own blood to secure eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:11–14).

Exo 29:12 Take some of the blood of the bull and put it on the horns of the altar…
Lev 16:14 And he is to take some of the bull’s blood…

put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering,

The altar of burnt offering stood in the courtyard of the tabernacle, where Israel’s sacrifices were presented before the Lord. Its horns represented strength and became associated with refuge and deliverance (Psalm 18:2; 1 Kings 1:50). Blood placed upon the horns purified the altar from the defilement connected with human sin and testified that mercy rested upon God’s provided sacrifice. Christ’s death displays the power of God for salvation, cleansing sinners and bringing them near to God (Romans 1:16; Hebrews 10:19–22).

Lev 9:9 The sons of Aaron brought the blood to him,…
Lev 16:18 Then he shall go out to the altar that is before the LORD…

and pour out the rest of its blood at the base of the altar.

The remaining blood was poured at the altar’s base, indicating that the sacrificial life had been wholly given to God. Nothing was withheld from the required offering for sin. The altar’s base received the blood at its foundation, emphasizing that reconciliation with God rests upon the shedding of blood. Jesus established the new covenant through His blood, poured out for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:28). His sacrifice is complete, sufficient, and the lasting foundation of forgiveness for all who come to God through Him.

Lev 8:15 Moses slaughtered the bull, took some of the blood,…
Deu 12:27 Present the meat and blood of your burnt offerings…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Priest
The priest acts as a mediator between the people and God, performing the sacrificial rituals to atone for sins.

2. Sin Offering
A specific type of sacrifice in the Old Testament, intended to atone for unintentional sins and restore the relationship between the sinner and God.

3. Altar of Burnt Offering
Located in the Tabernacle, this altar is where sacrifices were made to God, symbolizing atonement and dedication.

4. Horns of the Altar
Protrusions on the altar that were anointed with blood as part of the sacrificial ritual, symbolizing the power and presence of God.

5. Base of the Altar
The area where the remaining blood of the sacrifice was poured, signifying the complete offering of the sacrifice to God.
Teaching Points
The Role of the Priest
The priest's actions in the sacrificial process highlight the need for a mediator between humanity and God, foreshadowing Christ's ultimate role as our High Priest.

Significance of Blood
Blood symbolizes life and atonement, emphasizing the seriousness of sin and the cost of reconciliation with God.

Symbolism of the Altar
The altar represents a place of meeting between God and man, where sin is addressed, and forgiveness is granted.

Understanding Atonement
The sin offering illustrates the concept of atonement, pointing to the necessity of a substitute to bear the penalty of sin.

Christ's Fulfillment of the Law
Jesus' sacrifice fulfills the requirements of the law, providing a once-for-all atonement for sin, rendering the Old Testament sacrificial system complete.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of the priest in Leviticus 4:34 foreshadow the work of Jesus as our High Priest?

2. What is the significance of applying blood to the horns of the altar, and how does this relate to the power and presence of God?

3. In what ways does the sin offering in Leviticus point to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ?

4. How can understanding the Old Testament sacrificial system deepen our appreciation for the atonement provided by Christ?

5. How does the concept of atonement in Leviticus 4:34 challenge us to live in light of the forgiveness we have received through Jesus?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Hebrews 9:22
This verse highlights the necessity of blood for the forgiveness of sins, connecting the Old Testament sacrificial system to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Exodus 29:12
This passage describes the anointing of the altar with blood during the consecration of Aaron and his sons, establishing a precedent for the ritual described in Leviticus.

1 John 1:7
This verse speaks of the blood of Jesus purifying us from all sin, drawing a parallel to the cleansing power of the sin offering in Leviticus.
Atonement for the Penitent, as Illustrated in the Sin OfferingR.M. Edgar Leviticus 4:1-35
All Sin Must be AbhorredJ. Spencer.Leviticus 4:2-35
Errors and Oversights in All Our LivesT. Gataker.Leviticus 4:2-35
Ignorance in SinningW. H. JellieLeviticus 4:2-35
Involuntary OffencesLeviticus 4:2-35
Man's Incompetency to Deal with SinC. H. Mackintosh.Leviticus 4:2-35
On Sins Committed in IgnoranceThe Preacher's Hom. Com.Leviticus 4:2-35
Sins of IgnoranceJ. Cumming, D. D.Leviticus 4:2-35
Sins of InfirmityS. Mather.Leviticus 4:2-35
Sins of InfirmityA. Willet, D. D.Leviticus 4:2-35
Sins UnperceivedA. A. Bonar.Leviticus 4:2-35
The Best are not Free from ImperfectionSpurgeon, Charles HaddonLeviticus 4:2-35
The Bible Tells of Sin and its CureLeviticus 4:2-35
The Sin and Trespass-OfferingsJ. A. Seiss, D. D.Leviticus 4:2-35
The Sin-OfferingSpurgeon, Charles HaddonLeviticus 4:2-35
The Sin-OfferingA. Jukes.Leviticus 4:2-35
The Sin-OfferingDean Law.Leviticus 4:2-35
The Sin-OfferingE. F. Willis, M. A.Leviticus 4:2-35
The Sin-OfferingB. W. Newton.Leviticus 4:2-35
The Sin-Offering; Or, Expiation and ForgivenessLeviticus 4:2-35
The Sin-Offering; Or, God Just and JustifierLady Beaujolois DentLeviticus 4:2-35
The Sin Offering of the Rider and of Any of the PeopleJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 4:22-35
The Sins of the Common PeopleR.A. Redford Leviticus 4:27-35
People
Moses
Places
Teman
Topics
Altar, Base, Blood, Bottom, Burned, Burnt, Burnt-offering, Drained, Finger, Foundation, Horns, Offering, Pour, Poureth, Priest, Remaining, Rest, Sin, Sin-offering, Thereof
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 4:34

     4654   horn
     5152   fingers

Leviticus 4:1-35

     6750   sin-bearer

Leviticus 4:3-35

     6183   ignorance, of God

Leviticus 4:20-35

     7444   sin offering

Leviticus 4:25-35

     1680   types

Leviticus 4:31-35

     7422   ritual

Leviticus 4:34-35

     7444   sin offering

Library
John's First Testimony to Jesus.
(Bethany Beyond Jordan, February, a.d. 27.) ^D John I. 19-34. ^d 19 And this is the witness of John [John had been sent to testify, "and" this is the matter of his testimony], when the Jews [The term "Jews" is used seventy times by John to describe the ruling classes of Judæa] sent unto him [In thus sending an embassy they honored John more than they ever honored Christ. They looked upon John as a priest and Judæan, but upon Jesus as a carpenter and Galilæan. It is probable that
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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