Leviticus 4:3

“If the priest that is anointed do sin, etc.] That is, the high priest, as the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan, and the Septuagint version, render it; who in after times was only anointed, though at first Aaron’s sons were anointed with him; so an high priest is described in (<032110>Leviticus 21:10) and such an one was liable to sin, and often did; which shows not only that the greatest and best of men are not without sin, but proves what the apostle observes, that the law made men high priests which had infirmity, even sinful infirmities, who needed to offer for themselves as well as for the people; by which it appeared that perfection could not be had by the Levitical priesthood, and that…”

“SIN OFFERING FOR THE PRIEST. (Lev. 4:3-35) If the priest that is anointed do sin--that is, 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 offense, 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. according to the sin of the people--that is, bring guilt on the people. He was to take a young bullock (the age and sex being expressly mentioned), and having killed it…”

“The priest that is anointed - i. e. the high priest. (Compare Leviticus 8:12; Leviticus 21:10; Exodus 29:7). On the anointing of the other priests see the note at Leviticus 8:13. The graduation of the sin-offerings is remarkable. It might seem that the distinction addressed itself more pointedly to each individual according to his rank and consequent responsibility (see Leviticus 4:32). According to the sin of the people - Rather, to bring guilt on the people. The whole nation is concerned in every transgression of its representative. return to 'Top of Page'”

“If the priest - That is, the high - priest, who only was anointed after the first time. His anointing is mentioned, because he was not compleat high - priest 'till he was anointed. Do sin - Either in doctrine or practice, which it is here supposed he may do. And this is noted as a character of imperfection in the priesthood of the law, whereby the Israelites were directed to expect another and better high - priest, even one who is holy, harmless, and separate from sinners, Heb 7:26. According to the sin of the people - In the same manner as any of the people do; which implies that God expected more circumspection from him, than from the people. But the words may be rendered, to the sin or…”

“4:3-21 These verses distinguish two types of sin offerings: (1) the offering given for the sin of the high priest (4:3, 20) and the entire Israelite community (4:13), and (2) the offering given for one of Israel’s leaders (4:22) and any of the common people (4:27). The former case required offering a bull, a large, expensive animal. It was not to be eaten (6:30) but was completely burned (4:12, 21), and some of its blood was presented in the Holy Place (4:6-7, 17-18). The latter case required a lesser animal—a male goat for a lay leader or a female sheep or goat for a common person. The priest ate a portion of the layperson’s offering (6:24-29), and the blood was presented at the bronze…”

“the priest: Lev 8:12, Lev 21:10-12; Exo 29:7, Exo 29:21 a young bullock: Lev 4:14, Lev 9:2, Lev 16:6, Lev 16:11; Eze 43:19 for a sin: Lev 5:6; Exo 29:14, Exo 30:10; Num 8:8; Ezr 8:35; Rom 8:3; Co2 5:21; Heb 5:3; Heb 7:27, Heb 7:28 Leviticus 4:4”

“The sin of the high priest. - The high priest is here called the "anointed priest" ( Lev 4:3, Lev 4:5, Lev 4:16, Lev 6:15) on account of the completeness of the anointing with which he was consecrated to his office ( Lev 8:12); in other places he is called the great (or high) priest ( Lev 21:10; Num 35:25, etc.), and by later writers הראשׁ כּהן, the priest the head, or head priest ( Kg2 25:18; Ch2 19:11). If he sinned העם לאשׁמת, "to the sinning of the nation," i.e., in his official position as representative of the nation before the Lord, and not merely in his own personal relation to God, he was to offer for a sin-offering because of his sin an ox without blemish, the largest of all the…”