Read Leviticus 4 here or at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraphs:
4:1-12 {p} The law of the sin offering (chattath) of the herd when the priest sins unintentionally
4:13-21 {p} The law of the sin offering (chattath) of the herd when the congregation sins unintentionally
4:22-26 {p} The law of the sin offering (chattath) of the goats when a ruler sins unintentionally
4:27-31 {p} The law of the sin offering (chattath) of the goats when a common person sins unintentionally
4:32-35 {p} The law of the sin offering (chattath) of the lambs when a common person sins unintentionally
And if any one of the common people sin through ignorance, while he does something against any of the commandments of YHVH concerning things which ought not to be done, and become guilty; or if his sin, which he has sinned, come to his knowledge, then he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a female without blemish, for his sin which he has sinned. And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the sin offering, and slay the sin offering in the place of the burnt offering. Lev 4:27-29
The sin offering, or chattath, was a mandatory offering brought by a man who is not in right relationship with God, because he has violated a commandment of YHVH, that is, he has sinned. A sin, according to the Hebrew Root Word parable, is that which misses the mark, the target which Torah defines.
A man in this state cannot bring an olah, minchah, or shelem, for a sin or trespass is standing between him and God, unatoned for. He must first bring a chattath to restore his relationship with God, then he may bring voluntary offerings again.
Yeshua became our offering for sin.
Yet it pleased YHVH to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of YHVH shall prosper in His hand. He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities. Isa 53:10-11
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor 5:21
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness. 1 Pet 2:21-24
And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. 1 Joh 2:2
Also note that three times in Leviticus 4, the chapter of the law of the sin offering, the priest who offers the sacrifice is called the anointed priest (Lev 4:3, 5, 16). The priest who offers the burnt offering or olah is not called the anointed priest in Lev 1. The priest who offers the grain offering or minchah is not called the anointed priest in Lev 2. The priest who offers the peace offering or shelem is not called the anointed priest in Lev 3.
This break in pattern draws our attention. Moreover it occurs three times, a sign of Messiah in Torah. The Hebrew word “Messiah” means “Anointed One.” Torah is proclaiming that when the one who is anointed—Messiah—makes atonement for sin, the sin shall be forgiven.
If there are questions, these are good resources:
Mashiyach, “Anointed,” Strong’s H899 – Hebrew Roots Dictionary
Finding Messiah in Torah – Christine Miller
Leviticus in Chiastic Structure – Christine Miller
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