The concept of the sin offering is a significant aspect of the sacrificial system outlined in the Old Testament, particularly in the book of Leviticus. The sin offering was instituted by God as a means for the Israelites to atone for unintentional sins and to restore their relationship with Him. This entry focuses on the sin offering specifically designated for a common person, as described in Leviticus 4:27-35.

Biblical Context and Instructions

In the Levitical law, the sin offering for a common person is detailed in Leviticus 4:27-35. The passage provides specific instructions for individuals who have sinned unintentionally. The Berean Standard Bible states:

"If one of the common people sins unintentionally by violating one of the LORD’s commandments and incurs guilt, when he becomes aware of the sin he has committed, he must bring an unblemished female goat as his offering for the sin he has committed." (Leviticus 4:27-28)

The offering required is a female goat without blemish, symbolizing purity and the need for a perfect sacrifice to atone for sin. The unblemished nature of the animal underscores the holiness required to approach God.

Ritual Procedure

The procedure for the sin offering involves several key steps:

1. Presentation of the Offering: The individual who has sinned must bring the unblemished female goat to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, where the offering is to be presented before the LORD.

2. Laying on of Hands: The sinner is to lay his hand on the head of the sin offering, symbolically transferring his sin to the animal. This act signifies identification with the sacrifice and the acknowledgment of guilt.

3. Slaughtering the Animal: The animal is then slaughtered at the place of the burnt offering. The blood of the sacrifice plays a crucial role in the atonement process.

4. Application of Blood: The priest is to take some of the blood and apply it to the horns of the altar of burnt offering. The remaining blood is poured out at the base of the altar. This ritual act signifies purification and the removal of sin.

5. Burning of Fat: The fat of the animal, along with the kidneys and the lobe of the liver, is to be burned on the altar. This burning is described as a pleasing aroma to the LORD, symbolizing the acceptance of the offering.

Theological Significance

The sin offering for a common person highlights several theological themes central to the Old Testament sacrificial system:

· Atonement and Forgiveness: The sin offering serves as a means of atonement, allowing the individual to receive forgiveness for unintentional sins. It underscores the seriousness of sin and the necessity of a sacrificial substitute.

· Holiness and Purity: The requirement of an unblemished animal reflects God's holiness and the need for purity in approaching Him. It emphasizes that sin separates humanity from God and that only through a divinely appointed means can reconciliation occur.

· Substitutionary Sacrifice: The laying on of hands and the subsequent sacrifice of the animal illustrate the principle of substitution, where the animal bears the penalty of sin on behalf of the sinner.

Christological Foreshadowing

From a Christian perspective, the sin offering is seen as a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The New Testament presents Christ as the fulfillment of the sacrificial system, offering Himself as the perfect and final atonement for sin. Hebrews 10:10 states, "And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

In summary, the sin offering for a common person in the Old Testament provides a profound insight into the nature of sin, the necessity of atonement, and the foreshadowing of Christ's redemptive work.