Definition: And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Leviticus 1:4. It's a really important part of how God wants us to treat sacrifices in the Old Testament. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is about offering something that atonement – meaning forgiveness and making things right – for a person or item. Think of it like this: You make a mistake, and you need to show remorse and make amends. This verse describes how God wants us to do that with offerings. Let’s break it down word by word: “And he shall put his hand upon the head…” – This is a symbolic action. It's not about physically touching the offering. It represents God’s presence, his power, and his authority over the offering. “…of the burnt offering…” - This refers to a specific type of sacrifice made in ancient times. It was a ritual sacrifice used to show that someone was offered as a gift to God. “...it shall be accepted for him to make atonement…” – Atonement is a key word here. It means to make things right, to atone for something wrong, or to forgive a transgression. It's about repairing the damage caused by a mistake or wrongdoing. So, what does it mean in practice? When God says “it shall be accepted,” this means that the offering is allowed to be made atonement for. It’s a sign that the person or item being offered is worthy of forgiveness and reconciliation with God. In short: This verse tells us that when we offer something, it's a way for God to acknowledge our mistakes and let things be right, even though we didn’t do anything wrong ourselves. Why is this important? This concept was crucial in the Old Testament system because it emphasized the importance of repentance (showing remorse) and offering as a way to restore relationships with God. It's about acknowledging wrongdoing and seeking forgiveness. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse from Leviticus? Discuss the significance of this verse in the context of the entire Old Testament? Answer any specific questions you have about it?