Numbers 18:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

and from all transgressions, and from every wrongdoing, meaning a sacrifice for each transgression and iniquity, because the term for the sin offering is indeed representative of sin itself. Thus, the astute Paul refers to Christ when he states, ‘We plead in the name of Christ for you to be reconciled to God. For He made Him who was sinless to be a sin offering on our behalf’ (2 Cor. 5:20-21): as the Scriptures declare, the Son was offered up for our transgressions, “like a lamb led to the slaughter” (Jer. 11:19; cf. Is. 53:7; Acts 8:32; Rev. 5:6-12, etc.). The designation of ‘sin’ within the context of the law is applied to the offerings for our transgressions, a concept reinforced by God’s declaration through the prophet concerning the ministering priests: ‘(Hos. 4:8) that is, the sacrifices for the sins of My people shall serve as sustenance for the priests.