Leviticus 4:27-31 meaning

Leviticus 4:27-31 describes the process of atonement for unintentional sins for individuals among the common people, emphasizing that the need for reconciliation with God applies to every stratum of society.

Not only are leaders and priests responsible for sinning unintentionally (Leviticus 4:3, 22) but if anyone of the common people sins unintentionally in doing any of the things which the LORD has commanded not to be done, and becomes guilty" (v.27)

The term common people refers to ordinary Israelites, as opposed to the priests, judges, elders or leaders, indicating that everyone is subject to the same divine standard. Like the previous sections, this sacrifice pertains to sins that the common people have committed unintentionally. The requirement for this sin kicks in when the sin becomes known to him.

Then, "if his sin which he has committed is made known to him, then he shall bring for his offering a goat, a female without defect, for his sin which he has committed" (v. 28).

The prescription of a female goat for the common person as opposed to a male goat for a leader (Leviticus 4:23) may reflect variations in economic ability or status. But it does not imply a difference in the seriousness of the sin or the importance of repentance and atonement. As with the other sacrifices, this one is to be without defect. This again foreshadows the perfect sacrifice of Jesus, the sinless man who offered Himself for the remission of the sins of the world.

Next, He shall lay his hand on the head of the sin offering and slay the sin offering at the place of the burnt offering (v. 29).

The sinner's identification with the sin offering through the laying on of hands signifies the personal nature of confession and atonement. It was carried out at a place designated for slaying the holy sacrifices, near the place of the burnt offering, which was the bronze altar at the entrance to the Tabernacle or Tent of Meeting.

The term burnt offering in Hebrew is “oleh,” which means “to ascend.” As the offerors watched their gifts become smoke and ascend to the sky, it would have provided them with a physically visible representation of a spiritual truth.

On the Day of Atonement, the high priest would perform the most anticipated sin offering of the year. In this case, lots were casts upon two goats, one lot for “Azazel” (sometimes translated “scapegoat”) and the other lot for “Yahweh.” The Azazel-goat was released into the wilderness after the high priest would lay his hand on the head of the goat and confess all the sins of the people over it.

The Yahweh-goat would be slain as a special offering for the sins of the whole nation of Israel (Leviticus 16:8-9). It would be the blood of this special sin offering that would be brought inside the veil of the tabernacle and sprinkled on the Ark of the Covenant (Leviticus 16:15). This was a foreshadowing of Christ going inside the veil as the perfect offering for sin, and not with the blood of goats but with His own blood (Hebrew 9:24-25).

To learn more about how the two goats on the Day of Atonement foreshadow the work of Jesus on the cross, see our article, “Ransom and Redemption: Jesus and Barabbas as Day of Atonement Symbols.