sin offering

Definition:

The "sin offering" was one of several sacrifices that God required the Israelites to offer.

This offering involved sacrificing a bull, burning its blood and fat on the altar, and taking the rest of the animal's body and burning it on the ground outside the Israelite camp.
The complete burning up of this animal sacrifice shows how holy God is and how terrible sin is.
The Bible teaches that in order for there to be a cleansing from sin, blood must be shed to pay the cost for the sin that was committed.
Animal sacrifices could not permanently bring about forgiveness of sin.
Jesus' death on the cross paid the penalty for sin, for all time. He was the perfect sin offering.

(See also: altar · cow · forgive · sacrifice · sin)