Book of Exodus - Chapter 29 - Verse 10

When considering the verse "And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the bullock," it is important to understand the significance of this action in the context of the Old Testament sacrificial system. This verse is part of the process of atonement for sins, where the Israelites would bring a bullock as a sin offering to be sacrificed. By placing their hands on the head of the bullock, Aaron and his sons were transferring their sins onto the animal, symbolizing the transfer of guilt and the need for a sacrifice to atone for their wrongdoing. This ritual was a way for the Israelites to seek forgiveness and reconciliation with God, acknowledging their sins and seeking redemption through the shedding of blood. The act of placing their hands on the bullock was a physical representation of their confession and desire for purification, highlighting the importance of repentance and atonement in the worship practices of the ancient Israelites.

The theological interpretation of this verse in Leviticus 4:4 is significant as it is part of the detailed instructions given to the Israelites for the atonement of sin. In this particular verse, the act of putting their hands on the head of the bullock symbolizes the transfer of sin from the sinner to the sacrificial animal. This action serves as a physical representation of the spiritual concept of substitutionary atonement, where the innocent animal takes on the guilt of the individual offering the sacrifice. By bringing the bullock before the tabernacle of the congregation and placing their hands on it, Aaron and his sons are acknowledging their own sinfulness and need for forgiveness. This ritual foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who would become the perfect atonement for all sin through His death on the cross.