And the skin of the bullock, and all his flesh, with his head, and with his legs, and his inwards, and his dung,

LEVITICUS 4:11KJV
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Leviticus 4:11 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 4:11 mean?

Leviticus 4:11 lists the parts of a bull—its skin, flesh, head, legs, inner organs, and dung—that were not used in the main sacrifice and were to be removed. This verse is part of the instructions for handling the remains of a bull offered as a sin offering in ancient Israel.

In this section, God is giving Moses detailed directions for the priests about what to do with the leftover parts of the bull after certain portions have been offered on the altar. The verse emphasizes that nothing is left to chance; every part of the animal, even the less desirable ones, is accounted for in the ritual process.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 4:11

  • skin (עֹר, ‘or): This word refers to the hide of the bull. Its mention shows that even the outer covering, which might otherwise be valuable, is not kept but removed.
  • bullock (פַּר, par): This is the word for a young bull, the animal used for the sin offering in this context.
  • flesh (בָּשָׂר, basar): This term means the meat or muscle of the animal, highlighting that the main edible part is not consumed but treated as part of the remains.
  • head (רֹאשׁ, rosh): The head is specifically listed, showing the thoroughness of the instructions.
  • legs (כְּרָעַיִם, kera‘ayim): This refers to the lower limbs, again emphasizing that all parts are included.
  • inwards (קֶרֶב, qerev): This word means the internal organs, which in some other sacrifices might be burned on the altar, but here are removed.
  • dung (פֶּרֶשׁ, peresh): This refers to the waste inside the animal, which is also to be taken out and disposed of, showing attention to ritual cleanliness.

Why Leviticus 4:11 matters

  • Leviticus 4:11 clarifies that the sin offering was not a meal or a source of profit for the priests; even valuable parts like the skin were not kept but removed.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness and thoroughness of the sin offering, showing that every part of the animal, even the unclean or undesirable, had a designated place in the ritual.
  • This detail connects to the wider passage by setting apart the sin offering from other types of sacrifices, underlining the special handling required for atonement rituals in Israel’s worship.

Where else these words appear

“dung” Hebrew H6569 · used in 6 verses

  • Exodus 29:14 But the flesh of the bullock, and his skin, and his dung, shalt thou burn with fire without the camp: it is a sin offering.
  • Leviticus 8:17 But the bullock, and his hide, his flesh, and his dung, he burnt with fire without the camp; as the LORD commanded Moses.
  • Numbers 19:5 And one shall burn the heifer in his sight; her skin, and her flesh, and her blood, with her dung, shall he burn:

“legs” Hebrew H3767 · used in 9 verses

  • Exodus 12:9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.
  • Leviticus 1:9 But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.
  • Leviticus 9:14 And he did wash the inwards and the legs, and burnt them upon the burnt offering on the altar.

“skin” Hebrew H5785 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
  • Leviticus 13:18 The flesh also, in which, even in the skin thereof, was a boil, and is healed,
  • Leviticus 15:17 And every garment, and every skin, whereon is the seed of copulation, shall be washed with water, and be unclean until the even.

“bullock” Hebrew H6499 · used in 119 verses

  • Genesis 32:15 Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals.
  • Numbers 7:63 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:
  • Numbers 29:33 And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner: