Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7300 Institutions and culture of OT » 7444 sin offering Offerings to make atonement for both moral and ritual offences. The NT sees them as foreshadowing the death of Jesus Christ as an offering for human sin. Occasions when a sin offering was required Unintentional sins against God's laws: Leviticus 4:2; Hebrews 9:7 Leviticus 5:1-4; Leviticus 4:20 The consequence of the offering is atonement and forgiveness. Purification after childbirth: Cleansing from infectious diseases: Cleansing from a bodily discharge: The form the sin offering took depended on who committed the sin Leviticus 4:3 a priest who sins; Leviticus 4:14 the sin of the community as a whole; Leviticus 4:22-23 a leader who sins unintentionally An individual who sins: Leviticus 4:27-35; Leviticus 5:5-6 The ceremony when presenting an animal as a sin offering The guilty identify themselves with the offering before killing it Leviticus 4:4,15,24 Confession Blood, representing the victim's lifeblood, is put on the altar Leviticus 4:25,30,34 The best parts, being burned on the altar, are offered to God Leviticus 4:8-10,26,35 Male members of priestly families may eat what remains Leviticus 6:26,29; Leviticus 10:16-20 Special procedures for the offerings of the poor The special ceremony for priests and the community presenting a sin offering Blood is taken into the sanctuary and placed on the altar Leviticus 4:5-7,16-18 The rest of the animal is incinerated, not eaten Leviticus 4:11-12,21 emphasising the identity between the victim and the sin of the community Significant occasions when sin offerings were made Leviticus 8:14-17 at the ordination of Aaron and his sons; Leviticus 16:1-34 on the Day of Atonement; 2 Kings 12:16 during Josiah's reformation; 2 Chronicles 29:21-24 at the beginning of Hezekiah's reign; Ezra 6:17 at the dedication of the second temple; Ezra 8:35 when the exiles returned As part of Ezekiel's vision of restored worship: Ezekiel 40:39; Ezekiel 42:13; Ezekiel 43:19,21 The NT perspective on the sin offering Jesus Christ was the supreme sin offering Romans 8:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV footnote. Animal sacrifices had limited value See also Hebrews 9:7-10 The death of Jesus Christ brings full cleansing and forgiveness Hebrews 9:11-14 See also 1 Peter 1:18-19 Unlike earthly priests, Jesus Christ needed no sin offering Hebrews 7:27 See also Hebrews 5:1-3 See also
2306 Christ, high priest |
  |