Leviticus 4:24
וְסָמַ֤ךְ יָדֹו֙ עַל־רֹ֣אשׁ הַשָּׂעִ֔יר וְשָׁחַ֣ט אֹתֹ֔ו בִּמְקֹ֛ום אֲשֶׁר־יִשְׁחַ֥ט אֶת־הָעֹלָ֖ה לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה חַטָּ֖את הֽוּא׃
Sequential Actions: וְסָמַ֤ךְ… וְשָׁחַ֣ט
The verse opens with two wayyiqtol verbs: וְסָמַ֤ךְ (“and he shall lay”) and וְשָׁחַ֣ט (“and he shall slaughter”), from the roots ס־מ־ך and ש־ח־ט respectively. These forms are Qal wayyiqtol 3ms and represent sequential narrative events — typical in priestly and ritual texts to indicate ordered procedure.
Prepositional Possession: יָדֹו עַל־רֹאשׁ
יָדֹו (“his hand”) is the noun יָד with the 3ms pronominal suffix ־ו. The preposition עַל (“upon”) plus רֹאשׁ הַשָּׂעִיר (“the head of the goat”) defines the ritual gesture: placing one’s hand on the animal’s head. This action symbolically transfers sin or identification onto the offering.
Relative Clause: אֲשֶׁר־יִשְׁחַט אֶת־הָעֹלָה
אֲשֶׁר is a relative particle meaning “which” or “where,” introducing the subordinate clause יִשְׁחַט אֶת־הָעֹלָה (“the place where the burnt offering is slaughtered”). יִשְׁחַט is a Qal imperfect 3ms, providing general present-future action. The direct object אֶת־הָעֹלָה identifies the offering.
Location Phrase: בִּמְקֹום… לִפְנֵי יְהוָה
בִּמְקֹום (“in the place”) is paired with לִפְנֵי יְהוָה (“before YHWH”) to indicate sacred spatial orientation. The presence of YHWH is the defining factor of the ritual space. These spatial markers are essential in Levitical law, as location determines ritual validity.
Nominal Clause: חַטָּ֖את הוּא
This final phrase is a nominal clause meaning “It is a sin offering.” חַטָּאת is the subject noun, and הוּא (“he/it”) is the third-person pronoun used to equate or identify. This declaration formally designates the purpose of the ritual — a sin offering before YHWH.
Parsing Table: Key Forms in Leviticus 4:24
| Hebrew Word | Root | Form | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| וְסָמַךְ | ס־מ־ך | Qal wayyiqtol (3ms) | “He shall lay [his hand]” — ritual gesture |
| וְשָׁחַט | ש־ח־ט | Qal wayyiqtol (3ms) | “He shall slaughter” — next step in ritual |
| יִשְׁחַט | ש־ח־ט | Qal imperfect (3ms) | “He slaughters” — generic present/future |
| חַטָּאת הוּא | ח־ט־א | Nominal clause | “It is a sin offering” — ritual classification |
The Grammar of Atonement
This verse offers more than ritual detail — it builds atonement through grammar. Sequential wayyiqtol verbs map the priest’s actions. Participles and clauses identify sacred locations and legal status. Nominal declarations finalize the offering’s function. In Leviticus, grammar is part of the offering — as structured and sacred as the sacrifice itself.
