Leviticus 4:28

Authorized King James Version

Or if his sin, which he hath 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 hath sinned.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
א֚וֹ
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
#2
הוֹדַ֣ע
come to his knowledge
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#3
אֵלָ֔יו
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
חַטָּאת֖וֹ
Or if his sin
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
#5
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#6
חָטָֽא׃
which he hath sinned
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
#7
וְהֵבִ֨יא
then he shall bring
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#8
קָרְבָּנ֜וֹ
his offering
something brought near the altar, i.e., a sacrificial present
#9
שְׂעִירַ֤ת
a kid
a she-goat
#10
עִזִּים֙
of the goats
a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for goat's hair)
#11
תְּמִימָ֣ה
without blemish
entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth
#12
נְקֵבָ֔ה
a female
female (from the sexual form)
#13
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#14
חַטָּאת֖וֹ
Or if his sin
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
#15
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#16
חָטָֽא׃
which he hath sinned
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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