“And the priest shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle of the blood seven times before the LORD, before the vail of the sanctuary.”
Leviticus is a book in the Old Testament that contains various laws and regulations given by God to the Israelites through Moses. These laws cover a wide range of topics, including worship, sacrifices, and purity.
In Leviticus 4, the chapter deals specifically with the sin offerings for unintentional sins committed by the congregation, the anointed priest, or the whole community. The purpose of these sin offerings was to provide a means for the people to seek forgiveness and restoration of their relationship with God.
Leviticus 4:6 focuses on the actions of the priest in performing the sin offering. Let’s break down the verse and explore its significance:
“And the priest shall dip his finger in the blood”: The priest, who serves as a mediator between the people and God, takes some of the blood from the animal sacrifice. This act symbolizes the transfer of sin and guilt from the person onto the animal. The blood represents life and atonement, as stated in Leviticus 17:11: “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls.”
“and sprinkle of the blood seven times”: The priest then sprinkles the blood seven times. The number seven holds significance in the Bible as a number of completeness and perfection. The repetition emphasizes the completeness of the atonement provided through the shedding of blood. It demonstrates the thoroughness of God’s forgiveness and cleansing.
“before the LORD, before the vail of the sanctuary”: The sprinkling of the blood is done in the presence of God, symbolized by the tabernacle’s sanctuary. The veil separated the Holy of Holies, the innermost part of the tabernacle, from the rest of the sanctuary. This action signifies the acknowledgment of sin and the seeking of forgiveness in the presence of God.
The practice of sprinkling the blood was an essential part of the sin offering ceremony. It served as a visible representation of the transfer of sin and guilt, and the subsequent cleansing and forgiveness provided by God. The shedding of blood was necessary to atone for sin, as Hebrews 9:22 states, “Without shedding of blood, there is no remission.”
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is revealed as the ultimate sacrifice for sin. Through His death on the cross, He shed His blood once and for all, providing eternal atonement and forgiveness for all who believe in Him. As believers in Jesus, we no longer need to perform animal sacrifices or rely on a human priest to mediate for us. Jesus has become our High Priest, who intercedes on our behalf before God (Hebrews 7:25).
While the rituals and practices described in Leviticus may not directly apply to us today, studying them helps us understand the seriousness of sin, the need for atonement, and the ultimate fulfillment of these sacrifices in Jesus Christ. It deepens our appreciation for the sacrifice Jesus made and the forgiveness and redemption we receive through Him.
I hope this Bible study on Leviticus 4:6 has provided you with a better understanding of its meaning and significance within its context.
