And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat of the lamb is taken away from the sacrifice of the peace offerings; and the priest shall burn them upon the altar, according to the offerings made by fire unto the LORD: and the priest shall make an atonement for his sin that he hath committed, and it shall be forgiven him.

LEVITICUS 4:35KJV
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Leviticus 4:35 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 4:35 mean?

Leviticus 4:35 describes how a priest is to remove all the fat from a lamb offered for a sin offering, burn it on the altar as with a peace offering, and then make atonement for the person’s sin so that the person is forgiven. This verse explains the final steps in the ritual for dealing with unintentional sin through a specific sacrifice.

In this passage, God is giving Moses instructions for the priests about how to handle sacrifices for sins committed unintentionally by individuals. The priest’s careful removal and burning of the fat (considered the best part) follows the same pattern as the peace offerings, showing a connection between different types of sacrifices. The main point is that the priest acts on behalf of the person, performing the ritual so that the person’s sin is covered and forgiven.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 4:35

  • חֵלֶב (chelev, “fat”): This word refers to the specific fatty portions of the animal, which were considered the best part and reserved for God. The repeated mention highlights the importance of giving the best to God in the sacrifice.
  • שֶׁלֶם (shelem, “peace offerings”): This word for “peace offerings” connects the sin offering to other types of sacrifices, showing that the process for handling the fat is consistent across different rituals.
  • כָּפַר (kaphar, “make atonement”): This verb means to cover or make atonement, emphasizing that the priest’s action is what brings forgiveness for the sin.
  • סָלַח (salach, “forgiven”): This word means to forgive or pardon, making it clear that the ritual is effective in removing the guilt of the sin.

Why Leviticus 4:35 matters

  • Leviticus 4:35 clarifies that forgiveness in ancient Israel was tied to specific rituals performed by priests, not just personal feelings or intentions.
  • The verse shows that God provided a clear, repeatable way for ordinary people to deal with unintentional sins, highlighting both God’s justice and mercy.
  • By connecting the sin offering to the peace offering, the verse helps readers see the unity and consistency in the sacrificial system described in Leviticus.

Where else these words appear

“lamb” Hebrew H3775 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 30:32 I will pass through all thy flock to day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire.
  • Leviticus 1:10 And if his offering be of the flocks, namely, of the sheep, or of the goats, for a burnt sacrifice; he shall bring it a male without blemish.
  • Leviticus 22:19 Ye shall offer at your own will a male without blemish, of the beeves, of the sheep, or of the goats.

“forgiven” Hebrew H5545 · used in 45 verses

  • Exodus 34:9 And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.
  • Numbers 15:28 And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the LORD, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him.
  • 2 Chronicles 6:30 Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest;(for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)

“fire” Hebrew H801 · used in 64 verses

  • Exodus 29:18 And thou shalt burn the whole ram upon the altar: it is a burnt offering unto the LORD: it is a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
  • Leviticus 6:18 All the males among the children of Aaron shall eat of it. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations concerning the offerings of the LORD made by fire: every one that toucheth them shall be holy.
  • Leviticus 24:7 And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

“fat” Hebrew H2459 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
  • Leviticus 7:24 And the fat of the beast that dieth of itself, and the fat of that which is torn with beasts, may be used in any other use: but ye shall in no wise eat of it.
  • 1 Samuel 2:15 Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.