Definition: And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying, Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, [both] of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt offering;
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Leviticus 9:3. It’s a pretty important part of understanding how God dealt with sin in the Old Testament. Here's what it means in simple terms: The Situation: Imagine Israel was facing a big problem – they were getting very sick and dying because of a specific type of sickness that came from a goat. This sickness was so bad, it wasn’t just about physical illness; it was a spiritual one, representing broken relationships and a lack of holiness. What the Verse Says: “And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak…” – God is telling the Israelites (the people of Israel) to speak this message. “…saying, Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, [both] of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt offering.” - This is the core instruction. They need to sacrifice specific animals – goats, calves, and lambs – as a way to make amends for a serious transgression. What Does "Sin Offering" Mean? “A kid of the goats…” - This refers to a young goat. “…for a sin offering.” – This is crucial. It means this sacrifice was specifically made as a way to atone for a broken relationship with God – a problem caused by their own sins and impurity. What’s Being Offered? A Calf and a Lamb, Both of the First Year: This tells us that these animals had to be offered only once in the first year of their lives. They were meant to represent a new beginning, a fresh start free from the old problems caused by sin. “Without blemish”: This is a key part. It means the animals had to be perfectly clean and pure – free from any imperfections or flaws that could have contributed to the sickness. This shows God's perfect standard of righteousness. “For a burnt offering.” - This means they were going to offer these animals as a sacrifice on an altar, representing their remorse and seeking for forgiveness. The Big Picture: This verse is about God’s judgment against Israel because they had been practicing wickedness and not living according to his laws. By offering these sacrifices, they were pleading for forgiveness and making a commitment to change. It was a way of saying, "We are sorry for our sins and need to be cleansed." In short: This verse is about God's justice, repentance, and the promise of cleansing through sacrifice as a means of repairing broken relationships with him. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts in more detail? Connect this verse to a specific event or story in the Bible?