Leviticus 4

Jehovah

Jehovah — the LORD, the eternal I AM

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Leviticus 4:1

The LORD giving the law of the sin offering is Jehovah, the premortal Christ. He later told the Nephites that He was the one who gave the law.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4) · another scripture interprets it of Him

• interpreted by 3 Nephi 15:5 — Behold, I am he that gave the law.

The anointed priest

Anointed (Hebrew mashiach) — the word behind the title Messiah

If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering. Leviticus 4:3

The high priest is literally called the anointed one, the same Hebrew word as Messiah. But this anointed priest could sin and needed an offering himself; Christ, the true Anointed High Priest, never did.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · another scripture interprets it of Him · a traditional type, cited

• alluded to by Hebrews 5:3 — The Levitical high priest ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
• alluded to by Hebrews 7:26-27 — Christ is holy and undefiled and need not offer first for his own sins, as those high priests did.

Sin offering

If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering. Leviticus 4:3–4

A perfect animal dies for the sinner after he lays his hand on it. This pictures Christ, without sin, being offered for our sins (the same pattern repeats for the congregation, ruler, and common person).

How we know: another scripture interprets it of Him · a traditional type, cited

• a type of what is in 2 Corinthians 5:21 — He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin.
• a type of what is in Hebrews 9:14 — Christ offered himself without spot to God.

Blood before the veil

And the priest that is anointed shall take of the bullock’s blood, and bring it to the tabernacle of the congregation: Leviticus 4:5–6

Blood was carried into the tabernacle toward God's presence and sprinkled seven times, the number of completeness, before the veil (again in verses 16-17). Christ's blood opens the way through the veil into the presence of God.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · another scripture interprets it of Him

• interpreted by Hebrews 9:13-14 — If the blood of bulls and goats sanctifieth, how much more shall the blood of Christ purge your conscience.
• a type of what is in Hebrews 10:19-20 — Boldness to enter the holiest by the blood of Jesus, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh.
• a type of what is in Hebrews 9:12 — By his own blood he entered in once into the holy place.

Sin offering burned without the camp

And the skin of the bullock, and all his flesh, with his head, and with his legs, and his inwards, and his dung, Leviticus 4:11–12

The sin offering whose blood went into the sanctuary was burned outside the camp (again in verse 21). Hebrews says this is why Jesus suffered outside the city gate.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · another scripture interprets it of Him

• interpreted by Hebrews 13:11-12 — Bodies of beasts whose blood is brought into the sanctuary are burned without the camp; wherefore Jesus also suffered without the gate.

Atonement for sins of ignorance

And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which should not be done, and are guilty; Leviticus 4:13

Even sins done without knowing needed an offering (the principle is stated in verse 2 and applied here to the whole congregation). King Benjamin taught that Christ's blood atones for those who have ignorantly sinned.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · another scripture interprets it of Him

• a type of what is in Mosiah 3:11 — His blood atoneth for the sins of those who have ignorantly sinned.

Atonement and forgiveness

And he shall do with the bullock as he did with the bullock for a sin offering, so shall he do with this: and the priest shall make an atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them. Leviticus 4:20

The refrain of this chapter (also verses 26, 31, 35) is atonement and forgiveness. Amulek and King Benjamin taught that the law pointed to the great and last sacrifice of the Son of God and availed nothing except through the atonement of His blood.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · another scripture interprets it of Him

• interpreted by Alma 34:14 — The whole meaning of the law, every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice, the Son of God.
• interpreted by Mosiah 3:15 — The law of Moses availeth nothing except it were through the atonement of his blood.
• interpreted by Hebrews 10:11-12 — Priests offer oftentimes the same sacrifices which can never take away sins; but this man offered one sacrifice for sins for ever.

Atonement for the common person

And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat is taken away from off the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the priest shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savour unto the LORD; and the priest shall make an atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him. Leviticus 4:31

Even an ordinary Israelite's small goat, offered as commanded, brought atonement and forgiveness. The Topical Guide lists this verse under the Atonement of Jesus Christ, because every such offering pointed to His.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it · another scripture interprets it of Him

• interpreted by Alma 34:14 — Every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice, the Son of God.

Lamb of God

And if he bring a lamb for a sin offering, he shall bring it a female without blemish. Leviticus 4:32

A spotless lamb offered for sin looks straight to Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away sin.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · a traditional type, cited · another scripture interprets it of Him

• a type of what is in John 1:29 — Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
• a type of what is in 1 Peter 1:18-19 — Redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish.