Leviticus 4:3 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

If the priest The high-priest, who only was anointed. His anointing is mentioned, because he was not complete high-priest till he was anointed. Do sin Either in doctrine or practice, which it is here supposed he might do. And this is noted as a character of imperfection in the priesthood of the law, Whereby the Israelites were directed to expect another and better high-priest, even one who is “holy, harmless, and separate from sinners,” Hebrews 7:26. According to the sin of the people In the same manner as any of the people do; which implies that God expected more circumspection from him than from the people. But the words may be rendered, to the sin or guilt of the people, which may be mentioned as an aggravation of his sin, that by it he commonly brings sin, and guilt, and punishment upon the people, who are infected or scandalized by his example. A young bullock The same sacrifice which was offered for all the people, to show how much his sin was aggravated by his quality. Sin-offering Hebrew, sin, which word is often taken in that sense.