Leviticus 4:8-10
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The fat removed here isn't just any fat; it's specifically the fat covering and surrounding the entrails. This intimate connection between the "best" part of the animal and its very core signifies that even the most internal and unseen aspects of our lives require atonement for sin. It highlights that God's cleansing power extends to the deepest parts of our being, not just our outward actions.
And all the fat of the bull of the sin offering he shall remove from it, the fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them at the loins and the long lobe of the liver that he shall remove with the kidneys (just as these are taken from the ox of the sacrifice of the peace offerings); and the priest shall burn them on the altar of burnt offering.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of a larger section detailing the procedures for various sin offerings. It follows the instructions for the high priest and the entire congregation offering a bull for sin, and here it specifies the removal and burning of the fat from that bullock. This detailed destruction of the fat, which was considered the choicest part, was a crucial step before the rest of the animal was taken outside the camp to be completely burned as a complete sin offering.
When we bring a sin offering, what part is reserved for God and why? It's not about the 'worst' but the 'best' of what's left.
In the sin offering, the fat that covered the entrails was meticulously removed. This fat, along with the kidneys and the covering of the liver, was considered the choice portion, the 'best' part of the animal.
The removal of fat from a sin offering might seem strange. What did this 'best part' truly represent?
The fat in ancient Israelite sacrifices was consistently understood as representing life and vitality. It was the richest part of the animal, the source of energy and health.
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Understand the original words
chelev · Hebrew Noun
The interior organ fat, which was considered the richest and most choice part of the animal. Offering it to God signified giving the best to the Lord, representing honor, value, and total devotion.
chattath · Hebrew Noun
A specific category of animal sacrifice designated to deal with unintentional sin and ceremonial impurity, provided to make atonement and restore the worshiper to a right standing before God.
shelem · Hebrew Noun
Sacrifices of thanksgiving and communion, reflecting a state of harmony and fellowship between God and the offerer, representing the goal of the sacrificial system.
This passage directly references the burning of the sin offering outside the camp, drawing a parallel to Jesus' suffering outside the city gates to sanctify His people.
Leviticus 3:3-4It details the removal of fat from peace offerings, providing a comparative ritual framework for how the 'best parts' were handled similarly for sin offerings, symbolizing dedication.
1 Corinthians 9:13Paul explains that those who served the altar received their portion, touching on the concept of 'eating' from sacrifices, though sin offerings for the offerer's own sin were an exception.
Psalm 19:12David’s prayer asking for cleansing from hidden faults (“errors”) resonates with the Levitical concept of the sin offering for sins committed in ignorance or without realizing their gravity.
Romans 8:3This verse speaks of God sending His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh for sin, highlighting the ultimate, antitypical sin offering that accomplished what the Levitical sacrifices could only shadow.
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…
gillLeviticus 4:8: "And he shall take off from it all the fat of the bullock for the sin offering; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards,"
And he shall take off from it all the fat of the bullock for the sin offering,.... When the priest had killed the bullock, and sprinkled and poured the blood, as before commanded; he then cut up the bullock, and took out its inwards, and put them in a vessel, and salted them, and strowed them on the fires (z), and burnt them…
The fat removed here isn't just any fat; it's specifically the fat covering and surrounding the entrails. This intimate connection between the "best" part of the animal and its very core signifies that even the most internal and unseen aspects of our lives require atonement for sin. It highlights that God's cleansing power extends to the deepest parts of our being, not just our outward actions.
This passage is part of a larger section detailing the procedures for various sin offerings. It follows the instructions for the high priest and the entire congregation offering a bull for sin, and here it specifies the removal and burning of the fat from that bullock. This detailed destruction of the fat, which was considered the choicest part, was a crucial step before the rest of the animal was taken outside the camp to be completely burned as a complete sin offering.
This passage is part of a larger section detailing the procedures for various sin offerings. It follows the instructions for the high priest and the entire congregation offering a bull for sin, and here it specifies the removal and burning of the fat from that bullock. This detailed destruction of the fat, which was considered the choicest part, was a crucial step before the rest of the animal was taken outside the camp to be completely burned as a complete sin offering.
"And all the fat of the bull of the sin offering he shall remove from it, the fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them at the loins and the long lobe of the liver…" — The fat removed here isn't just any fat; it's specifically the fat covering and surrounding the entrails. This intimate connection between the "best" part of the animal and its very core signifies th…
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Last reviewed October 2026
