Leviticus 5 2

Leviticus 5:2 kjv

Or if a soul touch any unclean thing, whether it be a carcass of an unclean beast, or a carcass of unclean cattle, or the carcass of unclean creeping things, and if it be hidden from him; he also shall be unclean, and guilty.

Leviticus 5:2 nkjv

'Or if a person touches any unclean thing, whether it is the carcass of an unclean beast, or the carcass of unclean livestock, or the carcass of unclean creeping things, and he is unaware of it, he also shall be unclean and guilty.

Leviticus 5:2 niv

"?'If anyone becomes aware that they are guilty?if they unwittingly touch anything ceremonially unclean (whether the carcass of an unclean animal, wild or domestic, or of any unclean creature that moves along the ground) and they are unaware that they have become unclean, but then they come to realize their guilt;

Leviticus 5:2 esv

or if anyone touches an unclean thing, whether a carcass of an unclean wild animal or a carcass of unclean livestock or a carcass of unclean swarming things, and it is hidden from him and he has become unclean, and he realizes his guilt;

Leviticus 5:2 nlt

"Or suppose you unknowingly touch something that is ceremonially unclean, such as the carcass of an unclean animal. When you realize what you have done, you must admit your defilement and your guilt. This is true whether it is a wild animal, a domestic animal, or an animal that scurries along the ground.

Leviticus 5 verses

Leviticus 5 2 Meaning

Leviticus 5:2 describes a situation where an individual inadvertently comes into contact with an ritually unclean animal carcass—whether from a wild animal, livestock, or a swarming creature—and subsequently becomes aware of their defilement. Upon realizing their unclean state, which would disqualify them from participating in sacred activities or approaching God, the person incurs guilt and is required to present a guilt offering (ʾāšām) to atone for their unintentional trespass against divine holiness. The verse underscores that even unknowing ritual contamination requires rectification before God.

Leviticus 5 2 Context

Leviticus chapter 5 forms a crucial part of the section dealing with various types of offerings and provides specific applications of the sin and guilt offerings (chaṭṭāʾt and ʾāšām). It directly follows chapter 4's detailed instructions for the sin offering (chaṭṭāʾt) which covers unintentional sins committed by priests, the congregation, leaders, or common people. Chapter 5 focuses on situations where culpability arises from specific actions, even when initially unintentional, particularly those involving an oath, ritual defilement (as in verse 2), or a broken vow. This chapter establishes the obligation for a "guilt offering" (ʾāšām) for these particular cases, often implying some trespass against holy things or a situation requiring restoration or rectification beyond simple forgiveness. Historically, the elaborate system of purity laws in Leviticus served to impress upon Israel the holiness of God and their need to remain undefiled to dwell in His presence, as God Himself resided in the Tabernacle among them.

Leviticus 5 2 Word analysis

• Or if anyone touches (נֶפֶשׁ כִּי תִגַּע, nepeš kî ṯiḡaʿ):
  • `נֶפֶשׁ` (nepeš): Means "soul," "person," "living being." Emphasizes the individual's responsibility.
  • `תִגַּע` (ṯiḡaʿ): The verb "to touch," implies physical contact. Ritual impurity often required direct contact. This verb is also used for a priest touching a holy thing, showing it is an act with consequence.
  • This phrase directly follows previous specific instances of guilt, suggesting another scenario under the same legal framework.
• an unclean thing (בְּכָל־דָּבָר טָמֵא, bəḵol-dāḇār ṭāmêʾ):
  • `טָמֵא` (ṭāmêʾ): "Unclean," "impure," "defiled." This is a ritual state, not necessarily a hygienic one, denoting unfitness for the sacred and the presence of God. It's related to life and death; things connected with death (like carcasses) often cause ritual uncleanness.
  • The phrase points to any object or state designated as ritually defiling within God's law.
• whether a carcass (אוֹ בְּנִבְלַת, ʾô bəniḇlat):
  • `נִבְלַת` (niḇlat): "Carcass," specifically a dead body, often of an animal that died naturally or was not properly slaughtered. This is a potent source of defilement in Levitical law, as death is the antithesis of God's life and holiness.
• of an unclean wild animal or a carcass of unclean livestock or a carcass of unclean swarming things (חַיָּה טְמֵאָה אוֹ בְּנִבְלַת בְּהֵמָה טְמֵאָה אוֹ בְּנִבְלַת שֶׁרֶץ טָמֵא, ḥayyāh ṭəmeʾāh ʾô bəniḇlat bəhēmāh ṭəmeʾāh ʾô bəniḇlat šereṣ ṭāmêʾ):
  • These categories (wild animals, livestock, swarming things) are specified in Lev 11, delineating what animals are considered ritually clean or unclean according to their characteristics. This re-affirms the categories outlined earlier in the book.
  • `חַיָּה` (ḥayyāh): Wild animal.
  • `בְּהֵמָה` (bəhēmāh): Domesticated animal/livestock.
  • `שֶׁרֶץ` (šereṣ): "Swarming things," referring to smaller creatures like rodents, reptiles, and insects, most of which were unclean.
  • This comprehensive listing ensures all main sources of carcass defilement are covered.
• and it is hidden from him (וְנֶעְלַם מִמֶּנּוּ, wən̄eʿləmāh mimmennû):
  • `וְנֶעְלַם` (wən̄eʿləmāh): "It is hidden," "concealed," "forgotten." This signifies that the defilement or the act of touching was initially unperceived or unknown by the individual at the moment of contact.
  • This aspect is crucial: the sin is not intentional defiance but an unwitting transgression. The guilt arises not from the act itself being deliberate, but from being in a defiled state and later becoming aware of it.
• and he becomes unclean (וְהוּא טָמֵא, wəhûʾ ṭāmêʾ):
  • This confirms the ritual state resulting from the contact. The person now carries impurity.
  • This state necessitates purification before re-entering the community's worship or the Tabernacle precincts.
• then he shall be guilty (וְאָשֵׁם, wəʾāšēm):
  • `וְאָשֵׁם` (wəʾāšēm): "He shall be guilty," "he shall incur guilt." This verb implies culpability, not necessarily for a moral sin, but for an infringement of God's law, a breach in the covenantal relationship, that requires a specific atoning act.
  • This "guilt" triggers the requirement for a specific offering, the guilt offering (ʾāšām), indicating that something is "owed" or a wrong needs specific rectification, particularly when an offense involves holy things or is similar to defrauding God.

Leviticus 5 2 Bonus section

The type of sacrifice mandated for the situation in Lev 5:2, a guilt offering (ʾāšām), is significant. Unlike the sin offering (chaṭṭāʾt) which primarily covers the person for their sin, the guilt offering often dealt with trespasses that had an associated penalty or required restitution, particularly against God's holy things, His rights, or against fellow man. Here, the trespass is against God's holiness by rendering oneself impure and thus unfit for worship or handling holy objects, even if the act was not intentional. The law implicitly highlights the sanctity of all interactions within the covenant community, where any act that pollutes or diminishes purity for approaching God, even unwittingly, necessitates a prescribed remedy. The meticulous detail in listing different types of unclean carcasses reinforces the comprehensive nature of the divine command and the importance of awareness in maintaining a covenant relationship with God.

Leviticus 5 2 Commentary

Leviticus 5:2 emphasizes God's absolute holiness and His meticulous demands for ritual purity within the Israelite community, essential for their communion with Him. Even unwitting contact with something ritually defiling, specifically the carcass of an unclean animal, results in guilt upon later awareness. The provision of the guilt offering (ʾāšām) highlights that unintentional trespasses against divine standards still bear consequence and require specific atonement. This mechanism prevented any complacent attitude towards God's holy requirements. It demonstrated that access to God’s presence was always contingent upon the appropriate state of purity and a covered trespass. This law reveals the depth of the defilement that death brings into the world, symbolizing sin's effect, and God's provision for cleansing, anticipating the ultimate cleansing offered through Christ.