Definition: And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the goat, and kill it in the place where they kill the burnt offering before the LORD: it [is] a sin offering.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Leviticus 4:24. It's a pretty serious one about sacrifice! Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a specific and extremely important ritual – sacrificing a goat to God as a sign of repentance and offering. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the goat…” - This means the priest is directly touching the head of the goat. It’s a very deliberate and symbolic action. “…and kill it in the place where they kill the burnt offering before the LORD:” – This is crucial. The goat was always sacrificed as part of a ritual called a “burnt offering.” This specific offering was done before God, meaning it was offered to Him first and foremost. “it [is] a sin offering.” - This is the key takeaway. It's considered a sin offering because it’s not just any offering; it’s an offering that directly acknowledges a transgression against God. What does this mean practically? It means that offering a goat was a way for people to show they were sorry for something wrong – perhaps a betrayal, a mistake, or a violation of God's laws. It was a way to seek forgiveness and reconciliation with God. Why is it important? This practice was very strict in ancient Israel. It emphasized the importance of acknowledging wrongdoing and turning away from sin. It wasn’t just about providing food; it was about demonstrating humility and seeking God's forgiveness. In short, this verse describes a ritual sacrifice that acknowledges a wrong done and seeks to restore a broken relationship with God. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of Leviticus 4? Connect this passage to other stories or traditions in the Bible? Give you a more detailed explanation of why this ritual was so important?