But the skin of the bull and all its flesh, with its head, its legs, its entrails, and its dung—
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Leviticus 4:11
What does Leviticus 4:11 mean?
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Leviticus 4:11
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Unlike other offerings where the skin went to the priests, this entire bullock, including its skin, flesh, head, legs, insides, and even dung, was completely burned outside the camp. This thorough destruction shows that sin, especially when committed by the high priest, was considered utterly abhorrent and required a total removal.
But the skin of the bull and all its flesh, with its head, its legs, its entrails, and its dung—
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of the instructions for sin offerings, specifically detailing what happens to the bull after its blood has been used for atonement. It's a follow-up to verses that describe the burning of the fat and kidneys on the altar. The subsequent verses explain that the entire remainder of the bull is to be carried outside the camp and burned in a ritually clean place.
We often think of sin as always intentional and malicious. But what about those times we mess up without meaning to?
Leviticus 4 deals with sins committed 'through ignorance' (or 'error' as some translations put it). This isn't just about forgetting or not knowing a specific rule. It covers unintentional acts, mistakes, and lapses in judgment where we 'do somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which ought not to be done.' It speaks to those times when we're not paying close attention, or when our fleshly weakness leads us astray without a conscious, rebellious intent. It’s about those moments where our minds aren't 'pricked' by the evil we’ve done, or when sudden falls blind us. The key is that there’s no 'criminal pride against God' fueling the act. Think of it as tripping over your own feet, not deliberately charging the enemy.
The sin offering wasn't just a part of the animal; the whole thing, even the 'dirty' bits, held profound meaning.
Leviticus 4:11 lists every part of the bull: skin, flesh, head, legs, inwards, and dung. This wasn't just arbitrary detail. Unlike other offerings where priests got the skins, this entire animal was consumed. The fat and certain inner parts were burned on the altar (Leviticus 4:8-10), but the rest—head, legs, flesh, and even the dung—was carried 'without the camp' and burned completely (Leviticus 4:11-12). This radical disposal signifies the utter removal and detestation of sin. It painted a stark picture: sin is so offensive to God that the entire sacrifice, including its most repulsive elements, had to be utterly destroyed and removed from His sight.
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Why did the sin offering include every single part, even the waste? It points to a far greater sacrifice.
The complete consumption of the bull—its skin, flesh, head, legs, inwards, and dung—serves as a powerful symbol for the complete atonement made by Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament sacrifices pointed forward, they were a shadow. The 'dung' specifically, representing impurity and waste, highlights that sin is utterly repulsive. When Jesus became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21), His sacrifice wasn't partial. He endured the totality of God's wrath against sin, bearing its full weight, shame, and utter detestation. Every part of His suffering, from His head to His feet, and even the 'dung' of reproach and curse associated with His crucifixion, was necessary for our complete cleansing and reconciliation with God.
Understand the original words
par · Hebrew Noun
A term denoting a male bovine, often used in sacrificial contexts as a representative of strength, value, and vitality, frequently required for high-level atonement rituals.
basar · Hebrew Noun
In a cultic sense, referring to the physical remains of the sacrificial animal, specifically parts that are not consumed on the altar but are carried outside the camp as part of the ritual disposal.
qereb · Hebrew Noun
Referring to the interior organs of a sacrificial animal, highlighting the requirement for the total, internal honesty and completeness of the offering.
This passage directly references the sin offering being burned outside the camp, drawing a powerful parallel to Jesus' suffering outside the city walls for our sins.
Romans 6:6The commentator notes that the complete destruction of the sin offering, including its dung, symbolizes the destruction of the 'body of sin.' This passage speaks to how believers are no longer enslaved to sin.
John 1:29While not a direct quote, the idea of the animal sacrifice representing a complete offering for sin points to Jesus as the ultimate Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, fulfilling these Old Testament types.
1 Peter 2:24This verse speaks of Christ bearing our sins in his body on the tree. The disposal of the entire sin offering, including its less desirable parts, beautifully illustrates the totality of Christ's sacrifice for our sins.
calvinLeviticus 4:1-35: "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which ought not to be done, and shall do against any of them:
Loquere ad filius Israel, dicendo, Anima quum peccaverit per errorem ab omnibus praeceptis Jehovae qusa non sunt facienda, feceritque quidpiam de uno ex illis:
If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of th…
jfbLeviticus 4:3-35: "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."
Le 4:3-35. Sin Offering for the Priest.3. If the priest that is anointed do sin—that is, the high priest, in whom, considering his character as typical mediator, and his exalted office, the people had the deepest interest; and whose transgression of any part of the divine law, therefo…
Unlike other offerings where the skin went to the priests, this entire bullock, including its skin, flesh, head, legs, insides, and even dung, was completely burned outside the camp. This thorough destruction shows that sin, especially when committed by the high priest, was considered utterly abhorrent and required a total removal.
This passage is part of the instructions for sin offerings, specifically detailing what happens to the bull after its blood has been used for atonement. It's a follow-up to verses that describe the burning of the fat and kidneys on the altar. The subsequent verses explain that the entire remainder of the bull is to be carried outside the camp and burned in a ritually clean place.
This passage is part of the instructions for sin offerings, specifically detailing what happens to the bull after its blood has been used for atonement. It's a follow-up to verses that describe the burning of the fat and kidneys on the altar. The subsequent verses explain that the entire remainder of the bull is to be carried outside the camp and burned in a ritually clean place.
"But the skin of the bull and all its flesh, with its head, its legs, its entrails, and its dung—" — Unlike other offerings where the skin went to the priests, this entire bullock, including its skin, flesh, head, legs, insides, and even dung, was completely burned outside the camp. This thorough de…
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Last reviewed October 2026