Jonathan Safren writes: "the type of sacrifice known as hattat, of
which several are offered in Lev. 16, has nothing to with sin, put is
instead a "purification offering" "
That may be so in Lev. 16, but surely not in Leviticus 4, e.g. v.3
(v.14 is similar):
Here xa++f)t is used in two senses: the first is clearly a sin
(defined in v.2 as doing what is forbidden in the Lord's commandments)
and the verb xf+f) (qal) = "commit sin" is used; and the second is
some kind of sacrifice. I think the repeated use of these two senses
in such close conjunction, and of the sacrifice sense with the qal
verb (5:6,7,11), in this part of Leviticus must imply a close link
between the meanings.
Also, how does he account for the use of xa++f)t and kpr (piel) in
close connection with slx (niphal), usually translated "forgiven"
(e.g. Lev. 4:20)? I take this to refer to some sin or offence rather
than simply ritual impurity.