Substitution
One for another is a pattern that runs through the early books. In the offering, a person puts a hand on the animal’s head, and “it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him” (Leviticus 1:4). In Numbers 3, God takes the Levites “instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel” (Numbers 3:45), and the Levites’ cattle in place of Israel’s firstlings. Christians differ on how far this idea carries into the death of Jesus, and what exactly it means there. Start with Leviticus 1 and Numbers 3:11-13.
4 verses
Leviticus
And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.
Numbers
And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine;
And thou shalt take the Levites for me(I am the LORD) instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel.
Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle; and the Levites shall be mine: I am the LORD.