Leviticus 4 22

Leviticus 4:22 kjv

When a ruler hath sinned, and done somewhat through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD his God concerning things which should not be done, and is guilty;

Leviticus 4:22 nkjv

'When a ruler has sinned, and done something unintentionally against any of the commandments of the LORD his God in anything which should not be done, and is guilty,

Leviticus 4:22 niv

"?'When a leader sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the commands of the LORD his God, when he realizes his guilt

Leviticus 4:22 esv

"When a leader sins, doing unintentionally any one of all the things that by the commandments of the LORD his God ought not to be done, and realizes his guilt,

Leviticus 4:22 nlt

"If one of Israel's leaders sins by violating one of the commands of the LORD his God but doesn't realize it, he is still guilty.

Leviticus 4 verses

Leviticus 4 22 Meaning

Leviticus 4:22 addresses the specific case of an unintentional sin committed by a nasi, a ruler or prince within Israel. It clarifies that when such a leader unwittingly violates any of God's negative commands (i.e., those things the LORD has forbidden), and subsequently becomes aware of their wrongdoing, they are required to bring a specific sin offering. This provision underscores God's justice, which accounts for even unintentional transgression, and His mercy, which provides a path to atonement for it, maintaining the covenant relationship and the sanctity of the community.

Leviticus 4 22 Context

Leviticus chapter 4, often termed the "Law of Sin Offering" (chatta't), provides detailed instructions for atonement when various members of the Israelite community inadvertently sin against any of God's prohibitions. This chapter follows the laws concerning burnt offerings (Leviticus 1) and grain offerings (Leviticus 2), moving from general atonement for commitment to God, to specific provisions for human imperfection and defilement. The context highlights God's absolute holiness and the pervasive nature of sin, even when unintended. It underscores that any breach of divine command, regardless of intent, incurred defilement and spiritual guilt, necessitating precise rituals for purification and restoration. The law distinguished four categories of individuals based on their societal standing and the potential ripple effect of their sin: the High Priest (Lev 4:3-12), the whole congregation (Lev 4:13-21), a ruler (Lev 4:22-26), and a common person (Lev 4:27-35). Each category required a specific animal and corresponding ritual, reflecting their level of responsibility and the impact of their actions on the covenant community. Leviticus 4:22 is thus nestled within this divinely ordained system of dealing with sin, specifically addressing the spiritual consequences for a prominent leader.

Leviticus 4 22 Word analysis

• When a ruler (Hebrew: וְכִי נָשִׂיא יֶחֱטָא, wəkī nāsīʾ yeḥĕṭāʾ)
  • ruler (נָשִׂיא, nasi): This term denotes a prominent leader, chief, or prince. It could refer to a tribal head, a military commander, or any significant civic or political authority figure within Israel. Unlike the High Priest or the entire congregation, the sin of a nasi affects the community less corporately, but his high standing means his sin has greater gravity and visibility than that of a common person. His actions have influence and serve as an example, necessitating a prescribed atonement to uphold the sanctity of leadership and divine law.
• sins (Hebrew: יֶחֱטָא, yeḥĕṭāʾ, from חָטָא, ḥāṭāʾ): Literally "misses the mark," "falls short," or "does wrong." In the context of Leviticus 4, it consistently refers to unintentional or inadvertent sin. This distinguishes it sharply from "high-handed" or defiant sin (Num 15:30-31), for which no sacrifice was provided under the Mosaic Covenant, signifying a total rebellion against God.
• and inadvertently does (Hebrew: בִּשְׁגָגָה, bishgāgāh): Crucial term. Means "by mistake," "unwittingly," "through error," or "ignorance." It is the core condition for a sin offering. This highlights God's grace in providing a means of atonement for human fallibility, acknowledging that humans can make mistakes even when seeking to obey. It speaks to sins of negligence, ignorance, or accidental transgression, rather than willful defiance.
• any one of all the things the LORD has commanded not to be done (Hebrew: מִכָּל־מִצְוֹת יְהוָה אֲשֶׁר לֹא־תֵעָשֶׂינָה, mikkol-miṣwōt YHWH ʾašer loʾ-tēʿāśeynāh): Refers to negative commands or prohibitions (e.g., "You shall not steal," "You shall not murder"). The verse specifies sins of commission – actively doing something forbidden – rather than omission (failing to do something commanded, which is covered elsewhere in Leviticus 5). "All the things" emphasizes that the scope includes any and every prohibition.
• and he realizes his guilt (Hebrew: וְהוֹדַע אֵלָיו חַטָּאתוֹ אֲשֶׁר חָטָא, wəhōdáʿ ʾēlāw ḥaṭṭāʾtō ʾašer ḥāṭāʾ): Lit. "and his sin which he has committed is made known to him" or "it is brought to his knowledge." This is the catalyst for the sin offering. The sin does not become guilt when it is committed (it already carries defilement), but the requirement for atonement is triggered when the individual becomes aware of the transgression. This implies the need for confession, acknowledgment, and a willing response to divine law, even if the initial sin was unintentional.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "When a ruler sins and inadvertently does": This phrase immediately defines the perpetrator (a high-ranking official) and the nature of the transgression (unintentional). It distinguishes this offering from others in the chapter, underscoring that even leaders are fallible and require atonement, and that God's law accounts for human imperfection.
  • "any one of all the things the LORD has commanded not to be done, and he realizes his guilt": This highlights the object of the transgression – a specific, divine prohibition. It then shifts focus to the subjective state of awareness. The realization of the transgression, not merely the act itself, marks the point at which the individual must initiate the atonement process. This demonstrates a system of both objective moral purity and subjective spiritual responsibility.

Leviticus 4 22 Bonus section

The specific sacrifice required for the ruler's unintentional sin was a male goat "without blemish" (Lev 4:23). This choice of animal differs from the high priest and congregation (young bull), and the common person (female goat or lamb). The distinction reflects the hierarchical structure of Israel and the corresponding value placed on different lives/roles, yet the fundamental requirement of atonement remains the same. The blood ritual for the ruler's offering was to be applied to the horns of the altar of burnt offering in the court, and the rest poured out at its base (Lev 4:25), in contrast to the High Priest's sacrifice which involved sprinkling blood inside the Tent of Meeting before the veil. This further signifies the impact level of the sin relative to God's most holy presence. This structure subtly teaches that sin always has a consequence and that God's justice is meticulously applied across all strata of society.

Leviticus 4 22 Commentary

Leviticus 4:22 serves as a foundational verse within the Mosaic Law, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of God's holiness and the provision for sin within the covenant community. It reveals that all sin, even when unintentional or committed through ignorance, necessitates atonement. The leader's sin is specifically addressed because while not as severe in its corporate impact as the high priest's or the whole congregation's, it carries more weight and visibility than that of an ordinary person. His transgression against a negative command defiles him and impacts his standing as a covenant leader.

The key trigger for the prescribed sin offering (chatta't) is the "realization" or "knowing" of the guilt. This emphasizes personal accountability and the role of a conscience enlightened by God's law. Without this realization, the sin, while present, does not invoke the ritual requirement for sacrifice, suggesting a gracious understanding from God regarding human limitations. However, once known, action is mandatory, pointing to God's demand for holiness and immediate rectification. This process ensured that sin, even when unwitting, was taken seriously and purged through prescribed means, restoring the leader and the community to a state of ritual purity before God, fostering an ongoing right relationship with a holy God. This foreshadows the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which addresses both intentional and unintentional sin for all who believe, without the need for animal blood.