Leviticus 5 17

Leviticus 5:17 kjv

And if a soul sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the LORD; though he wist it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.

Leviticus 5:17 nkjv

"If a person sins, and commits any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the LORD, though he does not know it, yet he is guilty and shall bear his iniquity.

Leviticus 5:17 niv

"If anyone sins and does what is forbidden in any of the LORD's commands, even though they do not know it, they are guilty and will be held responsible.

Leviticus 5:17 esv

"If anyone sins, doing any of the things that by the LORD's commandments ought not to be done, though he did not know it, then realizes his guilt, he shall bear his iniquity.

Leviticus 5:17 nlt

"Suppose you sin by violating one of the LORD's commands. Even if you are unaware of what you have done, you are guilty and will be punished for your sin.

Leviticus 5 verses

Leviticus 5 17 Meaning

Leviticus 5:17 declares that if an individual unintentionally violates any of the LORD's prohibitions, even without knowing their transgression at the time, they are nonetheless guilty and bear the burden of that iniquity. This verse underscores God's absolute holiness, requiring atonement for all sin, whether conscious or unconscious, known or unknown.

Leviticus 5 17 Context

Leviticus chapter 5 elaborates on the laws concerning sin offerings (Heb. ḥaṭṭaʾt) and trespass offerings (Heb. ʾāšām), specifically addressing various instances of unwitting or unintentional sin that require atonement. Verses 1-13 focus on specific scenarios necessitating a ḥaṭṭaʾt, such as failing to testify, touching an unclean thing, or making a rash oath, where one might only become aware of the sin after the fact. Verse 17 acts as a comprehensive summary and transition point. It applies the principle of guilt for unintentional transgressions to any of the Lord's commandments. This prepares for the ʾāšām (trespass offering) laws introduced in verses 14-19, which deal more specifically with wrongs involving quantifiable damages or violations of holy things, often stemming from inadvertent error, though some instances might not imply financial damage but a spiritual offense against God's holy domain. The historical context is the newly established covenant between the LORD and Israel at Mount Sinai, where the intricate system of the tabernacle worship and sacrificial law was being laid out, emphasizing purity, holiness, and the seriousness of sin in God's eyes, regardless of human awareness.

Leviticus 5 17 Word analysis

• And if a soul: (Heb. wᵉnefesh) - "Nefesh" refers to an individual person, a living being. It emphasizes that this law applies to every Israelite, highlighting personal accountability before God.
• sin: (Heb. tiḵeṭaʾ) - From the root ḥaṭaʾ, meaning "to miss the mark," "to go astray," "to err." This denotes any failure to align with God's will or command, not necessarily intentional rebellion.
• and commit: (Heb. wᵉʿāśāh) - "To do" or "to perform." Indicates the action of transgressing, bringing the sin from thought or intention into reality.
• any of these things: Refers to prohibitions, "which are forbidden." While "these things" directly links to the examples earlier in Lev 5 (v. 1-13), it also broadly extends to any divine command that is "forbidden to be done."
• which are forbidden to be done: (Heb. min kol-miṣwōṯ YHVH ʾăsher loʾ teḥaseh) - This specifies the nature of the transgression: a violation of negative commandments, acts that God explicitly prohibited. This is not about failing to do what is commanded (omission) but actively doing what is disallowed (commission).
• by the commandments of the LORD: (Heb. miṣwōṯ YHVH) - Establishes divine authority and origin of the prohibitions. These are not human rules but God's sacred dictates, reflecting His holy character.
• though he wist it not: (Heb. wᵉhūʾ loʾ yāḏaʿ) - "And he did not know." This is the crux of the verse, distinguishing it from defiant, high-handed sin. It signifies ignorance or unawareness of the transgression at the time it occurred. The sin is unintentional, either because the individual did not know the law or did not realize their action violated it.
• yet is he guilty: (Heb. wᵉʾāshēm) - "And he is culpable/liable." Despite ignorance, the individual is not absolved of culpability. Guilt is incurred simply by the act of transgression against God's perfect standard, underscoring that sin's defilement is an objective reality, irrespective of subjective intent or knowledge. This guilt typically mandated a trespass offering (ʾāšām).
• and shall bear his iniquity: (Heb. wᵉnāśāʾ ʿăwōnô) - "And shall carry/endure his punishment/guilt." This means the consequences or culpability for the transgression still fall upon the individual. Even though it was unwitting, the sin has a detrimental effect, creating a breach that requires priestly intervention and divine atonement to restore communion and cleanse from defilement.

Words-group analysis

• "if a soul sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the LORD": This broad phrasing covers the scope of actions that can incur guilt. It stresses that any violation of God's revealed will, regardless of its specific nature (as detailed in preceding verses or implied generally), brings about sin. The emphasis on "forbidden to be done" (negative commands) points to actions that actively defile.
• "though he wist it not, yet is he guilty": This is a profound theological point. Ignorance does not exempt from guilt when violating God's perfect and holy law. God's standard of righteousness is objective; the transgression itself defiles and brings culpability, requiring a divine remedy. It highlights the serious nature of even "minor" or unintentional offenses against a perfectly holy God.
• "and shall bear his iniquity": This signifies the necessary consequence and accountability for sin. The guilt must be acknowledged and dealt with, usually through the prescribed sacrificial system. It illustrates the principle that all sin, known or unknown, creates a debt that must be paid or borne. In the broader Biblical narrative, this ultimately points to Christ, who bears the iniquity of His people (Isa 53:6, 1 Pet 2:24).

Leviticus 5 17 Bonus section

This verse subtly introduces the distinction between the sin offering (ḥaṭṭaʾt) and the trespass offering (ʾāšām), with Leviticus 5:17-19 explicitly addressing specific situations warranting an ʾāšām. The core difference often lies in the nature of the "trespass": ḥaṭṭaʾt primarily cleanses from defilement and deals with sin as an offense against God's purity, while ʾāšām typically involves an additional element of wrong done (e.g., against God's holy things, or another person's property which had consequences to it even when unwittingly committed), implying guilt that required not only atonement but also restitution or a penalty payment (often a fifth more than the assessed value of the damage). The overarching message is that God's law covers all aspects of human conduct, and even unseen errors contribute to guilt, emphasizing the deep human need for grace and a Mediator.

Leviticus 5 17 Commentary

Leviticus 5:17 profoundly articulates the objective reality of sin and guilt before a holy God. It declares that human ignorance of a specific divine prohibition does not negate one's culpability for transgressing it. While intentional, defiant sin (e.g., Num 15:30-31) warranted much more severe consequences, even inadvertent breaches of God's law brought defilement and required atonement. This highlighted the pervasive nature of sin and God's absolute standard of holiness; His laws are reflections of His character, and their violation creates a spiritual impurity or a broken covenantal relationship. The provision for a trespass offering (ʾāšām) for such sins underscored God's grace, offering a way for reconciliation even when the transgression was not conscious at the moment of commission. This principle illuminates the universal need for a Savior, as fallen humanity continually falls short of God's perfect standard, often unknowingly, making Christ's sacrifice essential for cleansing from all sins, seen and unseen (Psa 19:12; Heb 9:7, 28).