Leviticus 5 18

Leviticus 5:18 kjv

And he shall bring a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest: and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his ignorance wherein he erred and wist it not, and it shall be forgiven him.

Leviticus 5:18 nkjv

And he shall bring to the priest a ram without blemish from the flock, with your valuation, as a trespass offering. So the priest shall make atonement for him regarding his ignorance in which he erred and did not know it, and it shall be forgiven him.

Leviticus 5:18 niv

They are to bring to the priest as a guilt offering a ram from the flock, one without defect and of the proper value. In this way the priest will make atonement for them for the wrong they have committed unintentionally, and they will be forgiven.

Leviticus 5:18 esv

He shall bring to the priest a ram without blemish out of the flock, or its equivalent, for a guilt offering, and the priest shall make atonement for him for the mistake that he made unintentionally, and he shall be forgiven.

Leviticus 5:18 nlt

For a guilt offering, you must bring to the priest your own ram with no defects, or you may buy one of equal value. Through this process the priest will purify you from your unintentional sin, making you right with the LORD, and you will be forgiven.

Leviticus 5 verses

Leviticus 5 18 Meaning

Leviticus 5:18 addresses a specific situation where an individual has sinned unwittingly by transgressing a commandment of the Lord, without being aware of their transgression at the time. Upon discovering their guilt, the verse prescribes the bringing of a guilt offering (also known as a trespass offering in some translations) to the Lord through the priest. This offering, typically a ram without blemish and estimated to its proper value for such an offering, is presented for atonement. The priest performs the ritual to cover the sin, and consequently, God grants forgiveness to the individual for the error committed in ignorance. It underscores God's gracious provision for cleansing from sin, even when not intentionally committed, highlighting His holiness and mercy.

Leviticus 5 18 Context

Leviticus chapter 5 forms part of the priestly instructions for various types of offerings within the Israelite sacrificial system. While earlier parts of the book detail burnt offerings, grain offerings, sin offerings, and peace offerings, chapter 5 focuses primarily on the guilt offering (Hebrew: asham), also sometimes rendered as "trespass offering" (KJV). The context specifically addresses situations where sin is committed "unwittingly" (bishegagah). Verses 14-16 outline asham offerings for inadvertently violating sacred things or defrauding others. Verses 17-19, where our verse is located, address a more general category of unwitting sin: "If anyone sins, and does what is forbidden in any of the LORD's commandments, even though he does not know it, he is guilty and will be held responsible." This highlights that sin, even if unknown or unintentional, still incurs guilt before a holy God. Leviticus, as a whole, underscores God's holiness, the defiling nature of sin, and the divinely provided means of atonement and reconciliation for Israel to dwell in His presence. The chapter demonstrates God's mercy by providing a remedy for common human errors.

Leviticus 5 18 Word Analysis

• And he shall bring: Indicates a requirement or obligation upon the person who has erred.
• his trespass offering / guilt offering: Hebrew: asham (אָשָׁם). Distinct from chattat (חַטָּאת), the sin offering. Asham often relates to violations involving sacred things, restitution, or a general feeling of objective guilt even when the specific offense isn't fully clear (as in vv. 17-19). It carries a sense of an offense requiring compensation or penalty for infringement upon holy space or God's rights.
• unto the LORD: The ultimate recipient of the offering, emphasizing that the sin is primarily against God, even if it had horizontal implications.
• a ram: A male sheep, a specific, valuable, and adult animal required for this type of asham. Symbolizes strength and worthiness.
• without blemish: Hebrew: tamim (תָּמִים). Crucial characteristic for all sacrificial animals, denoting perfection, wholeness, and unsuitability for deformity. Symbolizes the purity required for an acceptable offering to a holy God, prefiguring Christ's blamelessness.
• out of the flock: Signifies it comes from common livestock, making it accessible to most Israelites.
• with thy estimation for a trespass offering / or its equivalent in money, for a guilt offering: This phrase is interpreted in a few ways, but the common understanding is that the ram offered must be assessed at the appropriate value for a guilt offering. It could also imply an estimation of the specific loss or damage caused by the trespass if that was relevant, even if done unwittingly. For the general asham here, it points to a required specific value (usually "two shekels of silver by the sanctuary shekel," as mentioned elsewhere in relation to the guilt offering in Leviticus, e.g., Lev 27:25 if applicable for some estimation, but here implies standard value). This phrase highlights the importance of the value associated with the atonement for this specific type of guilt.
• unto the priest: The designated mediator, representing God to the people and the people to God. The priest was divinely appointed to facilitate the sacrificial process.
• and the priest shall make an atonement for him: Hebrew: kipper (כָּפַר). Literally "to cover," to purge, to make propitiation. It signifies the ritual act performed by the priest that allows for the removal or neutralisation of the sin, reconciling the sinner with God. This act does not "earn" forgiveness, but is the prescribed means through which God, in His grace, grants it.
• concerning his ignorance / for the error that he committed unwittingly: Hebrew: bishegagah (בִּשְׁגָגָה). This adverb is key. It signifies actions done unintentionally, mistakenly, or without full awareness. It sharply contrasts with defiant, "high-handed" sins, for which no atonement through sacrifice was offered (Num 15:30-31). God mercifully provided a path for these types of sins.
• wherein he erred: Reemphasizes the unwitting nature of the transgression.
• and it shall be forgiven him: Hebrew: salah (סָלַח). This verb always describes God as the subject of forgiveness. It indicates the divine act of pardon, cleansing, and remission of the penalty due to sin. This is the desired outcome and divine grace bestowed after the required ritual is fulfilled.

Leviticus 5 18 Bonus Section

The asham (guilt/trespass offering) of Leviticus 5:17-19 is often called "general asham" by scholars, distinct from the specific cases outlined in verses 14-16 (unwitting defilement of holy things) and 6:1-7 (trespass against a neighbor involving deception or theft, plus lying about it). This "general asham" is for cases where one violates any of the Lord's commandments unwittingly and later discovers their guilt. The emphasis is on the individual's guilt (feeling convicted) upon realization, rather than a clear, tangible offense as in the specific asham cases that often involved restitution. The asham here focuses on the principle that all sin, even unknown, makes one liable before a holy God. This "guilt offering" principle provides comfort: God makes a way for redemption for such errors, affirming His justice and mercy are equally perfect. This foreshadows that salvation through Christ covers all aspects of sin and human weakness.

Leviticus 5 18 Commentary

Leviticus 5:18 offers a profound glimpse into God's character and the meticulous nature of the Old Covenant law regarding sin and holiness. It reveals that sin, even when committed unknowingly or inadvertently, still creates a rift with God and incurs guilt. This underscores God's absolute holiness and the pervasive defiling nature of sin. The requirement of a "guilt offering" (ram, without blemish, valued) demonstrates that atonement for sin is costly and serious, not to be taken lightly. The specific offering is brought to the priest, highlighting the indispensable role of mediation in reconciling man to God. The act of "making atonement" signifies God's divine provision for "covering" sin, ultimately leading to divine forgiveness. This verse powerfully illustrates God's mercy: He provided a pathway to forgiveness even for those who stumbled unintentionally. This system points forward to Christ, the ultimate spotless sacrifice and High Priest, whose once-for-all offering secured perfect and eternal forgiveness for all sins—intentional and unintentional alike—for those who believe, fulfilling and transcending the Old Testament shadows.