If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering.
If the priest that is anointed do sin, х hakoheen (H3548) hamaashiyach (H4899)] - the priest the anointed (see the note at Leviticus 8:12); an expression which occurs three times in this chapter, and frequently elsewhere in reference to that dignified functionary (cf. Leviticus 5:16; Leviticus 16:32; Exodus 40:13). [But this word never does denote the priestly office, except when koheen (H3548) is added.] The high priest, in whom, considering his character as typical mediator, and his exalted office, the people had the deepest interest, and whose transgression of any part of the divine law, therefore, whether done unconsciously or heedlessly, was a very serious offence, both as regarded himself individually and the influence of his example. He is the person principally meant, though the common order of the priesthood was included.
Do sin according to the sin of the people - i:e., bring guilt on the people. He was to take a young bullock (the age and sex being expressly mentioned), and having lured it according to the form prescribed for the burnt offerings, he was to take it into the holy place, and sprinkle the atoning blood seven times before the veil, and tip with the crimson fluid the horns of the golden altar of incense, on his way to the court of the priests, and pour out what remained upon the ground in the court before the altar of burnt offering. Nothing was burnt upon the altar, except the fat and the abdominal appurtenances. This was a solemn ceremonial, appointed only for very grave and heinous offences, and which betokened that his sin, though done in ignorance, had vitiated all his services; nor could any official duty he engaged in be beneficial either to himself or the people unless it were atoned for by blood.