Leviticus 4 13

Leviticus 4:13 kjv

And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which should not be done, and are guilty;

Leviticus 4:13 nkjv

'Now if the whole congregation of Israel sins unintentionally, and the thing is hidden from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done something against any of the commandments of the LORD in anything which should not be done, and are guilty;

Leviticus 4:13 niv

"?'If the whole Israelite community sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the LORD's commands, even though the community is unaware of the matter, when they realize their guilt

Leviticus 4:13 esv

"If the whole congregation of Israel sins unintentionally and the thing is hidden from the eyes of the assembly, and they do any one of the things that by the LORD's commandments ought not to be done, and they realize their guilt,

Leviticus 4:13 nlt

"If the entire Israelite community sins by violating one of the LORD's commands, but the people don't realize it, they are still guilty.

Leviticus 4 verses

Leviticus 4 13 Meaning

Leviticus 4:13 addresses the scenario where the entire community of Israel unintentionally transgresses one of God's prohibitive commandments—actions that should not be done. This communal error, initially unbeknownst to the majority or to the official assembly, renders the congregation corporately guilty before the Lord. It signifies that even corporate ignorance or oversight regarding divine law does not absolve the community of its culpability, thereby necessitating an atonement process to restore their right standing with God and to purify their sanctuary.

Leviticus 4 13 Context

Leviticus chapter 4 introduces the chatta't (sin offering), designed to atone for unintentional sins committed against God's explicit commandments. This offering purifies the worshiper and the holy things/places from defilement caused by such sins, thereby maintaining covenant fellowship. The chapter delineates specific procedures for different categories of offenders: the anointed priest (vv. 3-12), the whole congregation (vv. 13-21), a ruler (vv. 22-26), and a common individual (vv. 27-35). Verse 13 specifically outlines the situation for the entire community. This provision highlights the seriousness with which God views communal responsibility and how the moral and spiritual health of the assembly impacts the entire covenant relationship, necessitating a corporate response even to collective errors made in ignorance. The historical context is the early stage of Israel's journey in the wilderness after receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai, establishing the meticulous procedures required for a holy people to dwell in the presence of a holy God, centered around the Tabernacle.

Leviticus 4 13 Word analysis

• And if the whole congregation of Israel (וְאִם֙ כׇּל־עֲדַ֣ת יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל, wəʾim kol-ʿăḏaṯ yiśrāʾēl):

  • וְאִם֙ (wəʾim): "And if." Introduces a hypothetical conditional scenario, typical of legal codes. It sets a boundary for when this specific law applies.
  • כׇּל־ (kol-): "whole," "all," "entire." Emphasizes the communal scope, not merely a segment. It stresses corporate solidarity and shared responsibility.
  • עֲדַ֣ת (ʿăḏaṯ): "congregation," "assembly." This term (from ʿēdāh) refers to the divinely established community of Israel, often with judicial or representative functions. It highlights their unified identity and collective standing before God.
  • יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiśrāʾēl): "Israel." The name of the covenant people, emphasizing their unique relationship with YHWH.

• err through ignorance (יִשְׁגּ֖וּ, yišggû):

  • From the verb שׁגג (shagag), meaning "to err," "to go astray," "to make a mistake unwittingly," "to sin unintentionally." This is the core concept of sin for which the chatta't (sin offering) is prescribed in Leviticus 4. It sharply contrasts with high-handed or defiant sin (Num 15:30-31), which had no sacrifice. It indicates an oversight or a failure to perceive and apply the known divine instruction, rather than deliberate rebellion.

• and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly (וְנֶעְלַ֣ם דָּבָ֑ר מֵעֵינֵ֣י הַקָּהָ֗ל, wəneʿlam dāḇār mēʿênê haqqāhāl):

  • וְנֶעְלַ֣ם (wəneʿlam): "and be hidden," "concealed." From the root עלם (ʿālam), "to hide." Indicates that the specific transgression or its significance remained undiscovered, unknown, or not fully recognized by the communal authorities or the majority until later. It signifies communal unawareness or oversight.
  • דָּבָ֑ר (dāḇār): "thing," "matter," "word." Here, referring to the specific commandment or the act of transgression.
  • מֵעֵינֵ֣י הַקָּהָ֗ל (mēʿênê haqqāhāl): "from the eyes of the assembly." The "assembly" (קָהָל, qāhāl) is synonymous with ʿēdāh (congregation), reinforcing the communal aspect. "From their eyes" means they were unaware, either of the violation itself or that their action constituted a violation.

• and they have done somewhat against any of the commandments of the Lord concerning things which should not be done (וְעָשׂוּ֙ אַחַ֞ת מִכׇּל־מִצְוֹ֣ת יְהֹוָ֗ה אֲשֶׁר֙ לֹ֣א תֵעָשֶׂ֔ינָה, wəʿāśû ʾaḥaṯ mikkol-miṣwōṯ YHWH ʾăšer lōʾ têʿāśeīnah):

  • וְעָשׂוּ֙ אַחַ֞ת (wəʿāśû ʾaḥaṯ): "and they have done one." "One" implying a single instance or type of transgression.
  • מִכׇּל־מִצְוֹ֣ת יְהֹוָ֗ה (mikkol-miṣwōṯ YHWH): "of all the commandments of the Lord." Emphasizes that it is a violation of God's holy and comprehensive Law, not human standards.
  • אֲשֶׁר֙ לֹ֣א תֵעָשֶׂ֔ינָה (ʾăšer lōʾ têʿāśeīnah): "which should not be done," "negative commandments." This specifies sins of commission where a forbidden act was performed. It implies "you shall not..." (e.g., "you shall not steal"). This particular wording distinguishes these sins from failure to perform positive duties ("you shall...").

• and are guilty (וְאָשֵֽׁמוּ, wəʾāšēmû):

  • From the root אשׁם (ʾāsham), "to be guilty," "to commit an offense," "to be liable to punishment," "to become culpable." This word indicates the state of culpability or liability for the unintentional transgression. Even though the sin was through ignorance, it has consequences that render the community legally and ritually unclean, disrupting their covenant relationship and necessitating the sin offering to clear the guilt and effect atonement.

Leviticus 4 13 Bonus section

The specific distinction between sins of commission (doing what should not be done) and omission (failing to do what should be done) in the Law is often debated regarding this chapter. While Lev 4:13-20 clearly specifies violations of "negative commandments" (things not to be done), other parts of Leviticus (e.g., Lev 5:1, 4) address omissions (e.g., not testifying or not fulfilling an oath), which also carry guilt. However, Leviticus 4 focuses on active breaches. The term shagag (err through ignorance) covers a spectrum from genuinely unaware error to a temporary lapse of judgment or memory, or even actions taken with insufficient consideration for divine command. It highlights that ignorance, while potentially mitigating culpability in human law, does not negate the need for cleansing and restoration in the divine covenant, as it still causes defilement and separation from God's perfect holiness. The detailed and extensive process required for the congregational sin offering—including the high priest laying hands, the bull sacrifice outside the camp, and the specific application of blood to the veil and horns of the altar—underscores the gravity of corporate sin and the comprehensive nature of atonement for the community as a whole. This elaborate ritual served as a powerful reminder that communal life demanded diligent adherence to God's standards and that their collective purity was vital for the continuation of God's presence in their midst.

Leviticus 4 13 Commentary

Leviticus 4:13 unveils profound theological truths about sin, divine holiness, and communal responsibility. It underscores that sin, even if unintentional and hidden from human knowledge for a time, has objective consequences. God's standard of holiness is absolute; a breach of His law, whether conscious or not, incurs defilement and liability. The emphasis on the "whole congregation of Israel" highlights the concept of corporate solidarity. The spiritual well-being of the community is intrinsically linked; the sin of one (or a few who represent the whole in action) affects all, and collective sin necessitates a collective remedy. This system meticulously instructed Israel on how to maintain covenant integrity and remain holy in the presence of their holy God, who tabernacled among them. It illustrates God's grace in providing a means of atonement for unwitting offenses, showing mercy rather than immediate wrath, while still maintaining justice. This passage stands in contrast to presumptuous sin (e.g., Num 15:30-31), which brought excision from the community. It paved the way for understanding a substitutionary atonement that ultimately finds its perfection in the single, decisive sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which atones for all sin—intentional, unintentional, known, or unknown—of His people. The necessity for these detailed rituals teaches humanity the profound cost and seriousness of sin and the unblemished perfection required to bridge the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity.

• Example for Practical Usage:
  1. A church unknowingly engages in a practice that contradicts biblical principles, perhaps a common cultural tradition without realizing its ungodly roots. Upon learning the truth (the "thing is revealed"), the congregation must corporately acknowledge their unintentional sin, repent, and seek forgiveness, purifying their collective witness.
  2. A family passes down a specific set of customs or values, unwittingly rooted in self-reliance rather than trust in God. When a new generation or a discerning member realizes this underlying flaw that impacts the family's spiritual health (the "thing is hid... then they are guilty"), a collective turning and re-commitment to God's ways would be required.