Leviticus 4:15

15 The Zakenim of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before the LORD; and the bull shall be killed before the LORD.

Leviticus 4:15 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 4:15

And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands
upon the head of the bullock before the Lord
These must be two at least, some say three, and some say five ^F8; the more generally received notion is, that they were three of the sanhedrim ^F9; though the Targum of Jonathan makes them to be the twelve rulers of the twelve tribes:

and the bullock shall be killed before the Lord;
in the court near the altar of burnt offering, either by a priest, or Levite, or by a butcher, as the above Targum expresses it.

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FOOTNOTES:

F8 Misn. Sotah, c. 9. sect. 1.
F9 Maimon & Bartenora in Misn. Menachot, c. 9. sect. 7. Maimon. Hilchot Maaseh Hakorbanot, c. 3. sect. 10.

Leviticus 4:15 In-Context

13 "'If the whole congregation of Yisra'el sins, and the thing is hidden from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done any of the things which the LORD has commanded not to be done, and are guilty;

14 when the sin in which they have sinned is known, then the assembly shall offer a young bull for a sin offering, and bring it before the Tent of Meeting.

15 The Zakenim of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before the LORD; and the bull shall be killed before the LORD.

16 The anointed Kohen shall bring of the blood of the bull to the Tent of Meeting:

17 and the Kohen shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle it seven times before the LORD, before the veil.