And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.

LEVITICUS 1:4KJV
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Leviticus 1:4 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 1:4 mean?

Leviticus 1:4 describes how a person offering a burnt sacrifice must place his hand on the animal’s head, and this act allows the offering to be accepted by God as a way to make atonement for the person. The verse shows that the offering is meant to represent the person and to bring about reconciliation with God.

In this passage, God is giving instructions to Moses for the Israelites about how to bring a burnt offering at the tabernacle. The act of putting a hand on the animal’s head is a physical gesture that connects the worshiper to the sacrifice. The verse explains that this ritual is not just symbolic; it is the way the offering becomes effective for atonement, meaning it covers or deals with the person’s wrongdoing.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 1:4

  • The word for “put” is סָמַךְ (samak), which means to lean or lay upon. This suggests the person is not just touching but pressing their hand firmly on the animal, showing a strong identification with the offering.
  • The word for “hand” is יָד (yad), meaning the whole hand, emphasizing personal involvement in the act.
  • The word for “accepted” is רָצָה (ratsah), which means to be pleased with or to find favor. This highlights that the offering, when done as instructed, brings the person into favor with God.
  • The word for “atonement” is כָּפַר (kafar), which means to cover or make reconciliation. This word is central in Leviticus, showing that the sacrifice is about restoring a right relationship with God.

Why Leviticus 1:4 matters

  • Leviticus 1:4 clarifies that the sacrifice is not just a ritual but involves personal participation and identification with the offering.
  • The verse highlights that atonement in the Old Testament involved both an action (the sacrifice) and an attitude (seeking acceptance from God).
  • This instruction sets the pattern for the rest of Leviticus, where sacrifices are described as the God-given means for dealing with sin and maintaining fellowship with Him.

Where else these words appear

“put” Hebrew H5564 · used in 47 verses

  • Genesis 27:37 And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son?
  • Leviticus 16:21 And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:
  • Psalms 54:4 Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.

“accepted” Hebrew H7521 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 33:10 And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.
  • Esther 10:3 For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.
  • Proverbs 3:12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

“atonement” Hebrew H3722 · used in 94 verses

  • Genesis 6:14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
  • Leviticus 14:29 And the rest of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall put upon the head of him that is to be cleansed, to make an atonement for him before the LORD.
  • Numbers 28:22 And one goat for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you.