Leviticus 4:32 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 4:32 mean?

Leviticus 4:32 says that if someone brings a lamb as a sin offering, it must be a female lamb without any defect. This instruction is part of the rules God gave to the Israelites about how to make offerings for unintentional sins.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, who is passing these laws to the people of Israel. The focus is on the specific requirements for a sin offering—what kind of animal is acceptable and its condition. The idea is that the offering must be valuable (without blemish) and follow God’s exact instructions, showing respect for the process of seeking forgiveness.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 4:32

• "bring" (בּוֹא, bo) means to bring or present. This word highlights that the person must actively bring the animal themselves, not just provide it.
• "lamb" (כֶּבֶשׂ, keves) refers specifically to a young sheep. The choice of a lamb, rather than another animal, is part of the detailed instructions for different kinds of sin offerings.
• "sin" (חַטָּאָה, chatta'ah) is the word for sin, especially in the sense of missing the mark or making a mistake. Here, it refers to the offering made because of unintentional wrongdoing.
• "offering" (קָרְבָּן, qorban) means something brought near or presented, emphasizing that this is a gift or sacrifice brought close to God.
• "female" (נְקֵבָה, nekevah) specifies that the lamb must be female, which is a detail that varies in different types of offerings.
• "blemish" (תָּמִים, tamim) means without defect or complete. The animal must be healthy and whole, not injured or flawed.

Why Leviticus 4:32 matters

• Leviticus 4:32 shows that God’s instructions for offerings were detailed and specific, not left to personal choice or convenience.
• The requirement for a female lamb without blemish highlights that even for lesser-known offerings, the quality and type of the sacrifice mattered.
• This verse fits into a larger section explaining how different people could seek forgiveness for unintentional sins, showing that God provided a way for everyone, regardless of status, to make things right.