"Why do some Old Testament sacrifices ask for female animals and others ask for male?"

Q: In our Bible Study, we were looking at different Old Testament passages about sin offerings. Is there a reason why some ask for a female sheep or goat and others ask for a male? Does this have anything to do with Adams and Eve? Sin offerings vs. purifying offerings?

A: Interesting question! One could spend a lifetime studying the ins and outs of Old Testament sacrifices. As far as I can tell, the reasoning for male vs female sacrifices was for practical reasons in Leviticus and symbolic reasons in Exodus:

1. In Leviticus, the various sacrifices are based on stature, with a bull being the most valuable and a female lamb being the least. In short, if a person could only afford a female goat or lamb, then they could still be accommodated. So, in descending order, The Anointed Priests sacrifice a bull for themselves (4:3) Leaders must have a goat sacrificed (4:23) "Common people" can have a female goat (4:28) or female lamb (4:32).
   
   
2. In Exodus 12:3-13 the male lamb (or goat, 12:5) was considered more valuable than the female, and more they also symbolized the firstborn males (11:4-6) that would be taken from the Egyptians. 

And of course, Christians read all of these passages with 1 Corinthians 5:7b in mind, "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed."

Hope this Helps!

-Brian