Definition: And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat is taken away from off the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the priest shall burn [it] upon the altar for a sweet savour unto the LORD; and the priest shall make an atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Leviticus 4:31. It’s a pretty interesting and somewhat unusual story about dealing with animals that were severely damaged. Here’s a simplified explanation: What’s Happening? Imagine a goat or sheep that has been injured – maybe it was bitten, broken, or otherwise badly messed up. The verse describes a process to make the animal seem whole again, and to offer a kind of sacrifice to God. Let's break it down word by word: “And he shall take away all the fat thereof” : This means they’re going to remove the fat (the juicy part) from the animal. Fat is often seen as valuable – it’s what makes an animal delicious and desirable. “as the fat is taken away from off the sacrifice of peace offerings” : This is a key point. The “sacrifice of peace” was a special offering made to God for peaceful intentions, like offering thanks or seeking His guidance. This animal was specifically being offered as part of that sacrifice. “and the priest shall burn [it] upon the altar for a sweet savour unto the LORD” : The priest would light a fire on the altar and burn the animal. This wasn’t just burning it – it was doing something to make it look whole again, with a special scent (a "sweet savour") that would be pleasing to God. “and the priest shall make an atonement for him” : This is crucial. The priest was essentially saying, “It’s okay, this animal is damaged; we'll offer it as a way to show our remorse and seek forgiveness from God.” The idea is that the animal’s imperfection is acknowledged, but it’s still acceptable to be offered to God because of our repentance. “it shall be forgiven him” : Finally, the priest would say that the animal was forgiven, meaning its wrongdoing wasn't a big deal and could be brought back into God’s favor. In essence, it’s a process of making amends – acknowledging the damage but still offering the animal to God as a sign of repentance and seeking forgiveness. Why is this important in the Bible? This story teaches several important lessons: Repentance: It shows that we must acknowledge our mistakes and seek forgiveness. Sacrifice: It highlights the importance of sacrifice – not just material sacrifices, but also a sincere offering of remorse. The Power of God’s Mercy: God is willing to forgive even serious transgressions, showing His love and compassion. Do you want me to explain any part in more detail or perhaps connect this story to a specific biblical context? For example, would you like to know: What was the significance of the “sacrifice of peace”? How does this story relate to other stories about forgiveness?