The sin offering was the most important of all
sacrifices. It symbolized general redemption.
It made atonement for the whole person of the offender,
whereas the trespass offering only atoned for one
special offense.
The blood of the sacrifice of sin offering was sprinkled.
Every spot of blood from a sin offering on
a garment conveyed defilement, as being loaded
with sin, and all vessels used for such sacrifices
had either to be broken or scoured.
The highest kind of sin offering was to sacrifice a bullock,
when the High Priest had sinned, or if the whole congregation
had sinned unintentionally.
The next kind would be a male goat for the ruler.
The third kind consisted of a female goat for
individual Israelites.
The lowest grade was turtle-doves or
young pigeons as a subsitute for other sacrifices
in case of poverty.
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