Leviticus 4:12 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

So no part of this was to be eaten by the priests, as it was in other sin-offerings, Leviticus 6:26. The reason is plain, because the offerer might not eat of his own sin-offering, and the priest was the offerer in this case, as also in the sin-offering for the whole congregation below, Leviticus 4:21, of which the priest himself was a member. Shall he carry forth; not himself, which would have defiled him, but by another whom he shall appoint for that work, as may be gathered from Leviticus 16:27,28. Without the camp, to signify either,

1. The horrible and abominable nature of sin, especially in high and holy persons, or when it overspreads a whole people. Or,

2. The removing of the guilt and punishment of that sin from the people, and their duty of keeping such wickedness out of the camp for time to come. Or,

3. That Christ should suffer without the camp or gate, as he did. See Hebrews 13:11,12. Where the ashes are poured out; for the ashes, though at first they were thrown down near the altar, Leviticus 1:16, yet afterwards they, together with the filth of the sacrifices, were carried into a certain place without the camp. See Leviticus 6:10,11.

Leviticus 4:12

12 Even the whole bullock shall he carry forth withouta the camp unto a clean place, where the ashes are poured out, and burn him on the wood with fire: where the ashes are poured out shall he be burnt.