Leviticus 5
Read Leviticus 5 (WEB)+
1“‘If anyone sins, in that he hears the voice of adjuration, he being a witness, whether he has seen or known, if he doesn’t report it, then he shall bear his iniquity. 2“‘Or if anyone touches any unclean thing, whether it is the carcass of an unclean animal, or the carcass of unclean livestock, or the carcass of unclean creeping things, and it is hidden from him, and he is unclean, then he shall be guilty. 3“‘Or if he touches the uncleanness of man, whatever his uncleanness is with which he is unclean, and it is hidden from him; when he knows of it, then he shall be guilty. 4“‘Or if anyone swears rashly with his lips to do evil, or to do good, whatever it is that a man might utter rashly with an oath, and it is hidden from him; when he knows of it, then he shall be guilty of one of these. 5It shall be, when he is guilty of one of these, he shall confess that in which he has sinned: 6and he shall bring his trespass offering to Yahweh for his sin which he has sinned, a female from the flock, a lamb or a goat, for a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin. 7“‘If he can’t afford a lamb, then he shall bring his trespass offering for that in which he has sinned, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, to Yahweh; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering. 8He shall bring them to the priest, who shall first offer the one which is for the sin offering, and wring off its head from its neck, but shall not sever it completely. 9He shall sprinkle some of the blood of the sin offering on the side of the altar; and the rest of the blood shall be drained out at the base of the altar. It is a sin offering. 10He shall offer the second for a burnt offering, according to the ordinance; and the priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin which he has sinned, and he shall be forgiven. 11“‘But if he can’t afford two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, then he shall bring his offering for that in which he has sinned, one tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering. He shall put no oil on it, and he shall not put any frankincense on it, for it is a sin offering. 12He shall bring it to the priest, and the priest shall take his handful of it as the memorial portion, and burn it on the altar, on the offerings of Yahweh made by fire. It is a sin offering. 13The priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin that he has sinned in any of these things, and he will be forgiven; and the rest shall be the priest’s, as the meal offering.’” 14Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 15“If anyone commits a trespass, and sins unwittingly, in the holy things of Yahweh; then he shall bring his trespass offering to Yahweh, a ram without defect from the flock, according to your estimation in silver by shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering. 16He shall make restitution for that which he has done wrong in the holy thing, and shall add a fifth part to it, and give it to the priest; and the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering, and he will be forgiven. 17“If anyone sins, and does any of the things which Yahweh has commanded not to be done; though he didn’t know it, yet he is guilty, and shall bear his iniquity. 18He shall bring a ram without defect from of the flock, according to your estimation, for a trespass offering, to the priest; and the priest shall make atonement for him concerning the thing in which he sinned and didn’t know it, and he will be forgiven. 19It is a trespass offering. He is certainly guilty before Yahweh.”
World English Bible (public domain)
“If anyone commits a breach of faith and sins unintentionally in any of the holy things of the Lord, he shall bring to the Lord as his compensation a ram without blemish out of the flock, valued in silver shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, for a guilt offering.”
Leviticus 5:15
Summary
Leviticus 5 outlines various situations in which individuals may be guilty of a sin or offense, emphasizing the importance of recognition and atonement for transgressions. The chapter explains that if someone unintentionally sins, such as failing to testify when called as a witness, or if they touch something unclean, they must acknowledge their sin and bring an offering to the Lord. This sacrificial system is not only a means of making amends but also highlights God's desire for His people to maintain a right relationship with Him through confession and restitution. The chapter also touches on the guilt offering, emphasizing that unintentional sins still bear weight before God and necessitate proper restitution to restore the offender's standing within the community of faith. The key theme in this chapter is the call to personal accountability before God. Recognizing one’s sin, whether intentional or unintentional, is crucial. Additionally, it reflects the broader theme of holiness that permeates the Book of Leviticus, where the community is urged to reflect God’s character in their conduct. The requirements for various offerings indicate the seriousness with which God views sin and show His provision for restoration through sacrifice, which foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. This chapter serves as a reminder of the importance of integrity and the necessity of making things right when one has wronged others, both in practical and spiritual senses.
Key Themes
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