Leviticus 4 2

Leviticus 4:2 kjv

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which ought not to be done, and shall do against any of them:

Leviticus 4:2 nkjv

"Speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'If a person sins unintentionally against any of the commandments of the LORD in anything which ought not to be done, and does any of them,

Leviticus 4:2 niv

"Say to the Israelites: 'When anyone sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the LORD's commands?

Leviticus 4:2 esv

"Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If anyone sins unintentionally in any of the LORD's commandments about things not to be done, and does any one of them,

Leviticus 4:2 nlt

"Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. This is how you are to deal with those who sin unintentionally by doing anything that violates one of the LORD's commands.

Leviticus 4 verses

Leviticus 4 2 Meaning

Leviticus 4:2 introduces the concept of an individual sinning unintentionally (by error or inadvertence) against one of God's negative commandments, meaning something God explicitly forbade. This verse initiates the detailed instructions for the chatta't (sin offering), a prescribed ritual for atonement when such a transgression occurs. It underscores that even unintended breaches of God's holy law require specific action for reconciliation, highlighting the pervasive nature of sin and the high standard of God's holiness.

Leviticus 4 2 Context

Leviticus chapter 4 introduces the chatta't, the sin offering. This offering follows the burnt offering (olah) and the grain offering (minchah), which dealt primarily with atonement for general sinfulness and expressions of devotion. The sin offering is specific, designed for unintentional sins that affect one's relationship with God or defile the sanctuary. It reveals God's meticulous care for maintaining holiness within the Israelite community, especially as He tabernacled among them. This law emphasizes that even non-willful acts against God's commands required propitiation, demonstrating the severity of breaking God's holy standard. It served to cleanse the sinner and, crucially, to cleanse the sanctuary itself, which was progressively defiled by the sins of the people. This differentiated Israelite worship from pagan cults, highlighting God's absolute moral standards and His provision for human failure.

Leviticus 4 2 Word analysis

• Speak (דבר, dibber): This is a divine imperative, signifying God's direct instruction and Moses' role as the mediator of God's law to the Israelites. It emphasizes the authoritative source of these regulations.
• to the Israelites (בני ישראל, benei Yisrael): The direct audience for these laws, underscoring their covenant relationship with God and their unique responsibility to uphold His holiness as a chosen nation.
• and say (ואמר, ve'amar): Reiterates the direct command for Moses to convey these precise words to the people.
• When anyone (אדם כי, adam ki): "A person" or "a soul," indicating individual responsibility. It highlights that the law applies to any member of the community, from common person to high priest, establishing equality before God's law.
• sins unintentionally (תחטא בשגגה, tikhṭa bishgaga):
  • sins (תחטא, tikhṭa): From the root חטא (chaṭa), meaning "to miss the mark," "to go astray," "to err." It indicates a failure to conform to God's standard.
  • unintentionally (בשגגה, bishgaga): This is the pivotal word. It refers to a sin committed in error, inadvertence, ignorance, or without premeditated intent. It is distinct from deliberate, presumptuous, or high-handed sin (b'yad rama) mentioned in Num 15:30-31, for which there was no animal sacrifice provided under the Mosaic law. This distinction underscores God's justice and His grace, providing a means for less culpable infractions. The original context implies not ignorance of the law's existence, but failure to recognize the transgression at the time it was committed, or doing it through an error.
• against any of the Lord's commands (מכל מצוֹת יהוה, mikol mitzvot YHWH):
  • Lord's commands (מצוֹת יהוה, mitzvot YHWH): Refers to the divine precepts, statutes, and ordinances given by YHWH (the covenant name of God). This phrase highlights the source of the law and its absolute authority. All laws, even seemingly minor ones, are divinely mandated.
• about things not to be done (אשר לא תעשינה, asher loh ta'ashenah): This specifies the type of command broken. It refers to negative commands ("thou shalt nots" – e.g., "you shall not murder," "you shall not steal"). These commands prohibit specific actions. The sin offering is typically for a positive act that transgresses a negative command.
• and does what is forbidden (ועשה אחת מהנה, ve'asah achat mehenah): Literally, "and does one of them." This confirms that the unintentional sin involves an action (something "done") that was prohibited by one of God's negative commands. The transgression is an active violation, not a passive omission in this context.

Leviticus 4 2 Bonus section

The Hebrew word shagagah (unintentional) does not necessarily imply ignorance of the law itself, but often means "unwittingly," "by mistake," or "inadvertently." For example, one might know that idolatry is forbidden, but unknowingly participate in a pagan rite. Or one might intend to do good, but in doing so, unknowingly transgress a specific commandment. The severity with which God views all sin, even shagagah, demonstrates that the sacred space of the Tabernacle/Temple was so holy that any imperfection introduced by humanity had to be ritually cleansed. This also provided a path for cleansing sins where a person may be unaware of their transgression but later discovers it, as seen in Leviticus 5:17-19.

Leviticus 4 2 Commentary

Leviticus 4:2 lays the theological foundation for the chatta't, the sin offering, establishing God's meticulous standard of holiness for the Israelite community. It clarifies that even actions committed without direct malicious intent or full awareness are considered breaches of God's perfect law. The requirement for a specific offering for "unintentional" sin reveals several profound truths:

First, God's holiness is absolute. Sin, in any form, defiles. It diminishes human fellowship with a holy God and pollutes the sacred space of His dwelling. Even an innocent mistake impacts one's spiritual standing and communal purity. This corrects any notion that sin is only a problem when done with full intent and knowledge.

Second, God's justice and grace are interwoven. While sin demands a penalty, God graciously provides a means of atonement and cleansing. The distinction between unintentional and presumptuous sin shows that God distinguishes culpability, offering a path for the repentant but erring individual.

Third, The Mosaic Law, while strict, points to the deeper need for ultimate atonement. These offerings were never perfect. They covered a specific type of sin (unintentional) and had to be repeated. This prefigured the singular, complete, and effective sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Heb 10:1-18), who "became sin" for us (2 Cor 5:21), perfectly atoning for all sin – known or unknown, intentional or unintentional – for all who believe. Our responsibility under the New Covenant is to confess our sins (1 Jn 1:9), acknowledging our continuous need for Christ's atoning blood, which cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

Practical usage: This verse encourages a profound humility before God. It reminds us that our righteousness is never our own and that we are constantly in need of God's grace. It helps us understand the pervasive nature of sin and fosters a reliance on the perfect sacrifice of Christ, who cleanses us from hidden faults (Psa 19:12) and every transgression. It underscores that any spiritual blindness or ignorance of our own failings does not negate their impact, necessitating continuous reliance on Christ's provision.