Leviticus 4-5
While the first three chapters of Leviticus dealt with offerings that might be voluntary, the sin offering described in Leviticus Chapter 4 through 5:13 appears to be mandatory.
The sin offering was required for those times when the people sinned out of ignorance or apparently through unintentional conduct such as inadvertent or negligent conduct. See Lev. 4:2.
Leviticus divides out the types and manners of sacrifices depending on whether it involved the priests, the congregation, the leaders or the common people. Each grouping had a different sacrificial offering, depending on their degree of authority or influence.
The Lord provided guidance to Moses to teach the Israel people regarding the training of sin sacrifices. Different rules applied for sins by the priests, the congregations, the leaders of the people, and the common individuals.
First for the priests, the sin sacrifice was a young bullock without blemish. Lev. 4:3. The bullock was to be killed, and its blood sprinkled seven times by hand before the veil of the sanctuary in the tabernacle. Some of the blood was to be placed on the altar
There were specific directions for separating the fat and certain of the organs and offering as burnt sacrifices.
If the sin had been committed by the entire congregation, the sacrifice must be made after the assembly became aware of their sin. Lev. 4:13-14. The elders of the congregation were to be responsible for carrying out the sacrifices and had to also secure a bullock and the sacrifice was very similar to that of the priests Lev. 4:15-22.
When one of the people’s leaders (rulers) had committed the sin, a goat was to be used for the sacrifice. Lev. 4:22-24. The goat was killed but its blood not sprinkled as it had been by the priests of the congregation. The priests were to make atonement for the leaders so that the sin would be forgiven. Lev. 4:25-26.
When any of the common people sinned, a female kid of the goats without blemish was to be offered in sacrifice. Lev. 4:27-28, with specific instructions and details of the offering. Lev. 4:29-31. A female lamb without blemish could be offered instead of the goat. Lev. 4:32-35.
If the sin involved swearing , either delivered of heard, or it was a sin of touching any unclean animal, or of touching an unclean person, Lev. 5:1-4, then confession was required along with a sacrifice of a lamb or a kid of the goat, or if not available then two turtle doves or two young pigeons.
Details of the sacrifice are provided Lev. 5:4-10; but if no birds were available, then the offering was to be 10 percent of the fine flour covered with oil. The sacrifice was given to the priest who would use part of it in sacrifice and the remainder was available for food for the priest. Lev. 5:11-13.
The details of the offerings were important for the observance of the strict ceremonies required of Moses by the Lord.