Lev. 4:3: Sin of the High Priest brings guilt on all the people

[Achilles6129]

"3 if the anointed priest sins so as to bring guilt on the people, then let him offer to the Lord a bull without defect as a sin offering for the sin he has committed." Lev. 4:3 (NASB)

Would anyone like to talk about the theology behind this? Why does the sin of one person (the high priest) bring guilt on all the people?

 

[Tree of Life]

"3 if the anointed priest sins so as to bring guilt on the people, then let him offer to the Lord a bull without defect as a sin offering for the sin he has committed." Lev. 4:3 (NASB)

Would anyone like to talk about the theology behind this? Why does the sin of one person (the high priest) bring guilt on all the people?

The high priest is the supreme representative of the people before God. It was of utmost importance that he, if anyone, was ceremonially clean and free from sin.

 

[BelleC]

I would think that as a spiritual leader his fall could lead many others to fall too by following his example. People also tend to look differently at their own pet sins and lead others astray too. For example, a pastor with no inclination toward homosexuality might rail against it while ignoring people trampling the poor and showing favoritism to the wealthy, if he does the same.

 

[Steve Petersen]

"3 if the anointed priest sins so as to bring guilt on the people, then let him offer to the Lord a bull without defect as a sin offering for the sin he has committed." Lev. 4:3 (NASB)

Would anyone like to talk about the theology behind this? Why does the sin of one person (the high priest) bring guilt on all the people?

Jewish commentaries understand this as an erroneous ruling by the priest when the priest is acting as judge. (see Deuteronomy 17:8-13) If the ruling is incorrect, he could be causing the people to sin.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

"3 if the anointed priest sins so as to bring guilt on the people, then let him offer to the Lord a bull without defect as a sin offering for the sin he has committed." Lev. 4:3 (NASB)
....

The whole chapter is what to do if someone sins and doesn't realize it when they do, but later find out.

Leviticus 4. .... 1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)

(The offering for sins done of ignorance. 
For the Priest, verse 3,
the Congregation, verse 13,
the ruler, v 22,
and private man. v 27. )

1 Moreover, the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
------------
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If [a]any shall sin through ignorance, in any of the commandments of the Lord, (which ought not to be done) but shall do contrary to any of them,

3 If [c]the Priest that is anointed do sin (according to the sin of the people) then shall he offer, for his sin which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the Lord for a sin offering,
--------
13 ¶ And if the [g]whole Congregation of Israel shall sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the multitude, and have done against any of the commandments of the Lord which should not be done, and have offended:

14 When the sin which they have committed shall be known, then the Congregation shall offer a young bullock for the sin, and bring him before the Tabernacle of the Congregation.
-------
22 ¶ When a ruler shall sin, and do through ignorance against any of the commandments of the Lord his God, which should not be done, and shall offend,

23 If one show unto him his sin, which he hath committed, then shall he bring for his offering an [k]he goat without blemish,
------
27 ¶ Likewise if any of the n]">[n]people of the land shall sin through ignorance in doing against any of the commandments of the Lord, which should not be done, and shall offend,

28 If one show him his sin which he hath committed, then he shall bring for his offering, o]">[o]a she goat without blemish for his sin which he hath committed.

 

[dysert]

I think this is a great picture of Christ. If the high priest is a type of Christ, then just as his sin would affect the people so does Christ's sinlessness affect the people. And it amplifies Romans 5:18, which tells us that Christ's sacrifice opens the door for everyone.

Nice catch, Achilles.

 

[Achilles6129]

I think this is a great picture of Christ. If the high priest is a type of Christ, then just as his sin would affect the people so does Christ's sinlessness affect the people. And it amplifies Romans 5:18, which tells us that Christ's sacrifice opens the door for everyone.

Nice catch, Achilles.

Thanks. My question, though, is the fairness of this theology. One poster did address this somewhat; I am interested to know what other people think.

 

[Achilles6129]

OK, here's a thought: maybe it's referring to leading the people into unintentional sin.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

OK, here's a thought: maybe it's referring to leading the people into unintentional sin.

It looks to me like the chapter in particular is referring to different people, in different status positions,
who are GUILTY
of sin they weren't aware of - 'unintentional' sin.
Whether for a moment, or 2 years,
they are guilty
and as soon as they are told or find out they sinned
they are to repent.

Nehemiah(see below) might be more about people(including priests and levites and other leaders and prophet(s)?) who were both sinning intentionally or unintentionally,
and knowingly or unknowingly,
and LEADING OTHERS into sin daily, or not.
Previously neglecting YHWH'S WORD. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Nehemiah+8&version=EXB

And all repenting, returning to YHWH HIS WAY.
(they mourned at first, or started to),
then were commanded RISE UP and REJOICE ! HAVE A FEAST because we have returned to YHWH
and HE has accepted us [HIS WAY; HIS WORD] ...

----------------------------- Nehemiah 8 --------------------
because today is a ·holy [sacred] day to the Lord. Don’t ·be sad [grieve; mourn], because the joy of the Lord ·will make you strong [is your strength].”

11 The Levites helped calm the people, saying, “Be ·quiet [still], because this is a ·holy [sacred] day. Don’t ·be sad [grieve; mourn].”

12 Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to ·send some of their food to others [share; send portions], and to ·celebrate with [L make] great joy. They finally understood ·what they had been taught [the words/matters that had been made known to them]. >>

Ezra opened the ·book [scroll] ·in full view [L to the eyes] of everyone, because he was above them. As he opened it, all the people stood up [C a sign of respect; Judg. 3:20; Job 29:8; Ezek. 2:1].
------ (then follows reading and instruction in Nehemiah)
........
Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and ·teacher [scribe], and the Levites who were ·teaching [instructing; interpreting] said to all the people,

“This is a ·holy [sacred] day to the Lord your God. Don’t ·be sad [mourn] or ·cry [weep].” All the people had been ·crying [weeping] as they listened to the words of the ·Teachings [Laws; Instructions; L Torah].

10 Nehemiah said, “Go and ·enjoy good food [L eat of the fat]

 

[MWood]

You have to keep in mind that God was dealing with the Nation as a whole. He would bless them all or curse them all. The Priests were held to a higher accountability. Thus his sins were added to all the Nation, and they were also guilty of these sins. Where as the individuals sins weren't added to others of the Nation.

 

[Achilles6129]

Here's another interesting passage that I forgot about. It deals with the death of Nadab/Abihu:

" 6 Then Moses said to Aaron and to his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, “Do not [c]uncover your heads nor tear your clothes, so that you will not die and that He will not become wrathful against all the congregation." Lev. 10:6ab (NASB)

 

[YCGP]

is it because the people elected the priest as their representative?

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

is it because the people elected the priest as their representative?

YHWH appointed who would be priests,
HE basically never approved voting or electing or democracy, ever.

 

[YCGP]

YHWH appointed who would be priests,
HE basically never approved voting or electing or democracy, ever.

Oh. Then I am unsure as to why the priest's sin counts as a sin that all his people committed as well.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Oh. Then I am unsure as to why the priest's sin counts as a sin that all his people committed as well.

Yes, no worries there ....
Read if it's available about KING DAVID'S SIN , and the choice YHWH gave him;

thousands of people died as a result of KING DAVID'S SIN.

This happens frequently throughout the TORAH and PROPHETS.

Sometimes not death, but severe plagues, because of ONE PERSON'S IDOLATRY OR SIN.

Same thing may happen today in any congregation -- and especially when the 'leader' whoever it is is idolatrous or ungodly or unrighteous - the whole congregation suffers and many may die.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

LIke in the usa - when the past presidents sinned, thousands to millions either died or were made sick directly from their sins.
Sometimes,
though rarely, this is exposed by a whistle-blower.

 

[YCGP]

I see now. It is how one person's actions affect a large group of people, like sending an army to war.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

I see now. It is how one person's actions affect a large group of people, like sending an army to war.

Yes,
or more personally and more directly today,
if someone has food in their freezer and frig,
and their neighbor is hungry - and they close their heart against them - they could [realistically, figuratively, physically and/or spiritually ] die.
And if this attitude is held by a priest or pastor or teacher , the same thing could happen[propogate] again and again, repeatedly, thru hundreds or even thousands of lives.

 

[YCGP]

So they should give the food...

 

[Achilles6129]

The question is what makes this fair or just on God's part?