Leviticus 5:16 kjv
And he shall make amends for the harm that he hath done in the holy thing, and shall add the fifth part thereto, and give it unto the priest: and the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering, and it shall be forgiven him.
Leviticus 5:16 nkjv
And he shall make restitution for the harm that he has done in regard to the holy thing, and shall add one-fifth to it and give it to the priest. So the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering, and it shall be forgiven him.
Leviticus 5:16 niv
They must make restitution for what they have failed to do in regard to the holy things, pay an additional penalty of a fifth of its value and give it all to the priest. The priest will make atonement for them with the ram as a guilt offering, and they will be forgiven.
Leviticus 5:16 esv
He shall also make restitution for what he has done amiss in the holy thing and shall add a fifth to it and give it to the priest. And the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the guilt offering, and he shall be forgiven.
Leviticus 5:16 nlt
You must make restitution for the sacred property you have harmed by paying for the loss, plus an additional 20 percent. When you give the payment to the priest, he will purify you with the ram sacrificed as a guilt offering, making you right with the LORD, and you will be forgiven.
Leviticus 5 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 5:14-19 | ...if anyone commits a trespass and sins unintentionally in any of the holy things of the LORD... | Immediate context of the guilt offering (asham) for sin against holy things. |
| Lev 6:1-7 | If anyone sins and commits a trespass against the LORD by deceiving his neighbor... and he shall restore it in full and add one-fifth to it... | Expands asham to defrauding, showing restitution + 1/5 for specific wrongs. |
| Num 5:5-8 | When a man or woman commits any sin against a fellow man... then they shall confess their sin which they have committed, and they shall make full restitution for their wrong, and add to it a fifth of it... | Restitution + 1/5 for wrongs against God and neighbor, to priest if no next of kin. |
| Lev 27:13, 15, 19, 31 | But if he wishes to redeem it... then he shall add one-fifth of its value to it... | Principle of adding a fifth (20%) for redeeming consecrated items, affirming penalty. |
| Mal 3:8-10 | Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. | Spiritually links withholding from God's holy things to "robbing" Him, needing restitution. |
| Ex 22:1-4 | If a man steals an ox or a sheep... he shall pay back five oxen for the ox and four sheep for the sheep. | Illustrates civil restitution for theft, showing varying penalties for wrongs. |
| Lk 19:8 | Zacchaeus stopped and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much." | New Testament example of restitution as part of true repentance and faith. |
| Lev 4:2-3, 22-23 | If a person sins unintentionally... then he shall offer... | General provision for unintentional sin offerings (chattat) for different social groups. |
| Lev 16:30 | For it is on this day that atonement shall be made for you... | Describes the holistic atonement on the Day of Atonement, encompassing all sins. |
| Rom 3:23-26 | ...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God... through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood... | God's ultimate provision for atonement through Christ's sacrifice, fulfilling types. |
| Heb 9:12, 22 | ...not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. And according to the Law, nearly all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. | Emphasizes Christ's perfect, singular sacrifice as the ultimate means of forgiveness. |
| Heb 10:4 | For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. | Highlights the temporary and symbolic nature of Old Covenant sacrifices, pointing to Christ. |
| Col 1:13-14 | For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. | Affirms forgiveness of sins and redemption through Christ's work. |
| Eph 1:7 | In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace... | Parallel teaching on redemption and forgiveness through Christ's sacrifice. |
| 1 Jn 1:9 | If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. | New Covenant principle of confession leading to forgiveness, aligning with the "guilt" aspect. |
| Mt 5:23-24 | So if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you... go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. | Highlights the importance of making amends (restitution) for wrongs before religious duties. |
| 1 Tim 2:5-6 | For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and mankind, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all... | Christ as the sole mediator who secures atonement and reconciliation. |
| Num 18:32 | And you shall not profane the holy gifts of the sons of Israel, which they offer to the Lord, so that you will not die. | Warns against defiling sacred gifts, showing the severity of such sin. |
| Lev 11:44-45 | For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am holy. | Underlying principle of Israel's holiness and respect for divine property mirroring God's character. |
Leviticus 5 verses
Leviticus 5 16 Meaning
Leviticus 5:16 outlines the ritual requirement for an individual who has unintentionally sinned against something holy to the Lord, causing a loss or failing in duty concerning it. This person must first make full financial restitution for the specific damage or deficit caused to the "holy thing," then add an additional one-fifth (20%) of its value as a penalty. This restored amount and penalty are to be given to the priest. Following this material restitution, the priest is to offer a ram as a guilt offering on behalf of the individual, after which the sin will be divinely forgiven.
Leviticus 5 16 Context
Leviticus chapter 5 forms a critical part of the Law concerning unintentional sins, particularly specifying the circumstances and offerings required for atonement. Verses 1-13 focus on various situations leading to ceremonial uncleanness or neglect that require a sin offering (Hebrew: chattat). Leviticus 5:14-19 introduces a distinct category of unintentional sin—a "trespass" or "guilt" (Hebrew: ma'al) against God's "holy things" or commands—which necessitates a guilt offering (Hebrew: asham).
This specific verse, 5:16, deals with one instance of this asham offering: when someone unintentionally, yet concretely, defrauds God by mishandling or failing to deliver what is due concerning sacred items. Historically and culturally, "holy things" (qodesh) included consecrated objects, sacred vows, firstfruits, tithes, contributions to the sanctuary, or even parts of sacrifices that belonged to the priests. Any misuse or unintentional deprivation of these elements was considered a direct offense against YHWH, whose presence resided in the tabernacle/temple and whose divine ownership encompassed all things offered to Him. The prescribed restitution with an added one-fifth penalty underlined the seriousness of this trespass against divine property, ensuring the value of the holy was upheld and deterring carelessness. This detailed system of addressing even accidental offenses showcased God's perfect justice and provided a means for His people to maintain a pure covenant relationship with Him, distinguishing Israel from surrounding nations who lacked such comprehensive provisions for unintended sacrilege.
Leviticus 5 16 Word analysis
He shall also make restitution for what he has failed to do regarding the holy thing, and shall add a fifth to it
- He shall also make restitution (yeshalem from shalem): Means to pay back, restore, or make complete. It emphasizes the need to fully compensate for the loss. It implies the restoration of value and rights that were unknowingly infringed upon.
- failed to do (chata from ḥāṭāʾ): Here, it signifies sin committed by mistake or unintentionally. It denotes missing the mark or falling short, specifically regarding a divine requirement or handling of sacred objects.
- regarding the holy thing (min-haqodesh from qodesh): Refers to something consecrated or set apart for God. This includes gifts, offerings, tithes, or properties dedicated to the sanctuary or priestly use. The offense is not against another human, but directly against what belongs to YHWH. Its significance lies in acknowledging God's ultimate ownership and the sanctity of what pertains to Him.
- add a fifth to it (ve'et-chamishito yosef alav): This is a mandatory 20% penalty over and above the full restitution. This surcharge served several purposes: it reinforced the gravity of offending God's holiness, deterred future carelessness, provided compensation to the defrauded sacred treasury or priestly funds, and acted as a penal sum rather than mere interest. It transforms the act of restoration into an act of repentance and penalty.
and give it to the priest.
- give it to the priest (venatan oto lakkohen): The priest acted as God's representative in this transaction. The restitution and penalty did not go back to the offender but were given to the priest, ensuring the funds or property ultimately benefited the sanctuary system and those who served therein. This further signifies that the sin was ultimately against God, with His designated representative receiving the recompense.
And the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the guilt offering, and he shall be forgiven.
- the priest shall make atonement for him (vehakohen yechaper alav from kapar): Kapar means to cover, appease, or make propitiation. It is the priestly ritual act of mediating God's forgiveness through the sacrificial system. This highlights that human effort (restitution) alone is insufficient; divine mercy, channeled through the blood of sacrifice, is essential for reconciliation with God.
- with the ram of the guilt offering (be'eil ha'asham from asham): The asham or guilt offering (also called "trespass offering") was uniquely tied to situations where some form of tangible "debt" or damage had occurred, whether financial (as here) or an unacknowledged trespass. Its distinct purpose was to deal with situations that required both restitution and propitiation. The ram, being a valuable animal, underscored the cost and seriousness of the sin.
- and he shall be forgiven (venislach lo from salach): This passive declaration confirms the divine absolution. Once all the prescribed actions—restitution, penalty, and the designated sacrifice—were meticulously performed according to God's command, YHWH would grant complete forgiveness for the unintentional trespass. This culminates the process, restoring the individual's right standing before God and within the covenant community.
Leviticus 5 16 Bonus section
This verse reflects a foundational theological principle in the Old Covenant: that sin is not merely an abstract concept but often carries tangible consequences, even if unintentional. The specific requirement for a guilt offering (asham) differentiates sins against God's "holy things" (like misusing tithes or sacred property) from general unintentional sins, which typically required a sin offering (chattat). The asham primarily focused on restitution of something that had been misappropriated or infringed upon. While the Law stipulated animal sacrifice as the means for forgiveness of these specific sins, the moral principle of making restitution for wrongs, especially those with quantifiable damage, remains valid for believers today, mirroring repentance and righteousness. The detailed regulations ensure both a fair penalty and a clear path to restoration of relationship with a holy God.
Leviticus 5 16 Commentary
Leviticus 5:16 illustrates the meticulous nature of God's Law, emphasizing that even unintentional transgressions against "holy things" carry both material and spiritual consequences. The verse underscores God's absolute ownership and the sacredness of all dedicated to Him. It's not enough merely to confess a sin of omission or misappropriation; a concrete act of restitution, paired with a significant penalty (the added fifth), is required to address the tangible wrong done to God's treasury or property. This "adding a fifth" serves not merely as compensation but as a punitive measure, reinforcing the solemnity of offenses against the divine. The handing over of this sum to the priest highlights that the offense is ultimately against God, mediated through His appointed servant.
Crucially, this financial restitution, while essential, is insufficient for full reconciliation. It is merely a prerequisite. True atonement and forgiveness (venislach lo) come through the priest's act of offering the prescribed guilt offering—a ram (eil ha'asham). This combination of material repayment and blood sacrifice demonstrates that human efforts (the restitution) pave the way for, but do not replace, divine grace exercised through the shedding of blood. The verse beautifully portrays God's justice in demanding full restoration and penalty, yet also His boundless mercy in providing a pathway for forgiveness and cleansing from even unknown sins, ultimately foreshadowing the perfect and complete atonement found in Christ for all sins, both intentional and unintentional.