Leviticus 1:4 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

He shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt-offering— See note on Exodus 29:10 and Leviticus 16:21. The same custom in sacrificing was common in Egypt. The offerer, [in this holy sacrifice,] says one, hereby testified, that he acknowledged himself worthy of death; that he laid his sins upon his sacrifice; that he trusted in Christ for the expiation of them; and that he devoted himself to God. And the phrase following plainly proves, that it was to be understood in this sense: it shall be accepted, for, or, instead of him; to make an atonement or expiation (not through its own merit, but as typical of the great sacrifice) for him. Burnt-offerings were for atonement or remission of sins in general; Job 1:5; Job 42:8. For sins of ignorance there was a special sacrifice and sin-offering; see the 4th chapter of this book.