Leviticus 5 4

Leviticus 5:4 kjv

Or if a soul swear, pronouncing with his lips to do evil, or to do good, whatsoever it be that a man shall pronounce with an oath, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty in one of these.

Leviticus 5:4 nkjv

'Or if a person swears, speaking thoughtlessly with his lips to do evil or to do good, whatever it is that a man may pronounce by an oath, and he is unaware of it?when he realizes it, then he shall be guilty in any of these matters.

Leviticus 5:4 niv

or if anyone thoughtlessly takes an oath to do anything, whether good or evil (in any matter one might carelessly swear about) even though they are unaware of it, but then they learn of it and realize their guilt?

Leviticus 5:4 esv

or if anyone utters with his lips a rash oath to do evil or to do good, any sort of rash oath that people swear, and it is hidden from him, when he comes to know it, and he realizes his guilt in any of these;

Leviticus 5:4 nlt

"Or suppose you make a foolish vow of any kind, whether its purpose is for good or for bad. When you realize its foolishness, you must admit your guilt.

Leviticus 5 verses

Leviticus 5 4 Meaning

Leviticus 5:4 details a specific type of inadvertent sin: the breaking of a rash or thoughtless oath. If a person makes a solemn vow or pronouncement without due consideration, whether it be to perform a harmful act or even a good one, and subsequently fails to fulfill it, or if the very nature of the vow itself (e.g., cursing another person thoughtlessly) proves problematic, they incur guilt upon becoming aware of their transgression. This sin falls under the category of unintentional errors that require a sin offering for atonement. The emphasis is not on deliberate defiance but on a careless use of speech involving a sacred commitment, and the subsequent failure to meet that commitment, or the realization that the vow itself was wrong.

Leviticus 5 4 Context

Leviticus 5 forms part of a section in the Torah outlining the various sacrifices and offerings necessary for atonement, particularly focusing on the sin offering (Hebrew: chaṭṭa'th). The broader context of Leviticus is God's establishment of holiness and purity within Israel, His covenant people, enabling Him to dwell among them. Chapters 1-7 describe the ritual procedures for burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings. Specifically, Leviticus 5 addresses "unintentional" sins—those committed without malice or deliberate defiance, often due to carelessness, ignorance, or omission, but which nevertheless pollute the covenant relationship and community. Verse 4 deals with a specific type of spoken sin, demonstrating that even rash words, especially those made as solemn vows, are taken seriously by God and require spiritual purification upon awareness of the offense. It follows immediately after three other examples of "hidden" sins that become known to the person, thereby incurring guilt (Lev 5:1-3: withholding testimony, touching unclean things, thoughtless declarations).

Leviticus 5 4 Word analysis

• swears (שָׁבַע - shavaʿ): The Hebrew word signifies taking a solemn oath, often by invoking a divine being. It implies a sacred commitment, making the spoken words binding in God's sight, not just among people. It elevates a promise beyond a mere statement.
• thoughtlessly (לְבַטֵּא - levaṭṭeʾ): Derived from the root בָּטָא (bataʾ), meaning "to speak rashly," "to utter inconsiderately," or "to babble." This term is crucial, highlighting that the sin is not necessarily in the content of the oath as being intentionally malicious from the outset, but in the manner of its utterance – made without sufficient forethought, reverence, or careful consideration of its implications or feasibility.
• oath (שְׁבֻעָה - shəvuʿah): A noun form of the verb "to swear," denoting the solemn statement or vow itself. It is a declaration by which one binds oneself to do or not do something, often calling upon God as witness or guarantor.
• evil (לְהָרַע - leharaʿ): Literally, "to do evil." This refers to the content of the rash vow – promising to perform something wicked or harmful.
• good (לְהֵיטִיב - lehetiv): Literally, "to do good." This covers vows to perform beneficial or commendable acts. The inclusion of "good" demonstrates that even failing to keep a vow for a positive outcome incurs guilt, as it reflects a failure in keeping one's sacred word.
• utters thoughtlessly (יְבַטֵּא - yevatteʾ): A repetition of the core concept from "thoughtlessly," emphasizing the impulsive, unconsidered nature of the spoken word, indicating that it applies to whatever specifically was pronounced.
• when he realizes it (נוֹדַע אֵלָיו - nodaʿ elav): Literally, "it becomes known to him." This phrase marks the critical point at which guilt is incurred and the obligation for atonement arises. The sin is unintentional until one becomes aware of the rash vow and its problematic nature or unfulfillment. God holds one accountable not only for immediate transgressions but for a past error when it comes to one's consciousness.
• guilty (וְאָשֵׁם - ve'ashem): From the root אָשֵׁם (ashēm), meaning "to be guilty," "to offend," or "to incur guilt." This signifies the person is now accountable before God for the sin and is in a state requiring expiation and reconciliation through the prescribed offerings.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Or if anyone swears thoughtlessly with an oath": This phrase pinpoints the precise act: a verbal commitment (an oath) made without careful thought or wisdom. The solemnity of an oath coupled with the rashness of its utterance is the key sin. It's the bringing of God's name, implicitly or explicitly, into a careless, binding declaration.
• "to do evil or to do good": This comprehensive phrasing covers the spectrum of possible content for the rash oath. The sin lies not necessarily in the objective moral quality of the promised act itself, but in the brokenness of the oath, or in having bound oneself by an oath that proved ill-advised or unfulfillable upon reflection.
• "whatever it is that a person utters thoughtlessly with an oath—when he realizes it, he will be guilty of one of these": This climactic statement underscores that any such thoughtless oath falls under this category. The culpability becomes active "when he realizes it" – that is, when the individual becomes aware that they have spoken rashly, broken an oath, or are bound by an inappropriate vow. This "realization" triggers the requirement for atonement, linking this specific offense back to the broader category of unintentional sins in Leviticus 5 that necessitate a sin offering.

Leviticus 5 4 Bonus section

This verse subtly introduces the principle that sins of the mouth are serious and that even one's internal awareness of sin (realization) triggers culpability before God and the need for purification. The explicit link to "one of these" (referring back to Lev 5:1-3) means that a broken rash vow is treated with the same seriousness as failing to testify in court, touching something unclean and forgetting, or touching human uncleanness. This reflects the deep theological understanding that any infringement on God's holiness or commandments, whether conscious or unconscious at the time of the act, requires restoration of the covenant relationship. It sets a high standard for verbal integrity, which later finds its perfect expression in Jesus' teaching, moving beyond the cultic remedy to an inner transformation of speech and truthfulness, making external oaths unnecessary.

Leviticus 5 4 Commentary

Leviticus 5:4 profoundly reveals God's meticulous concern for integrity, even in unintended speech. It demonstrates that not only deliberate sins, but also careless words and unfulfilled commitments, especially when uttered as solemn oaths, bear consequences in God's sight. The verse is a crucial part of God's instructional law for His people to cultivate holiness in all aspects of life, including their verbal declarations. The requirement of a sin offering upon awareness highlights divine grace and provision for atonement. It underscores that any sin, even one initially made in ignorance or thoughtlessness, creates separation and requires divine remedy for reconciliation and cleansing. This also served to educate Israel about the seriousness of oaths and the absolute trustworthiness expected from God's people, urging caution and reverence in all speech.

Examples:

• A person in a moment of frustration makes a vow "never to forgive" someone, then later feels conviction and realizes the vow contradicts God's command to forgive.
• Someone boastfully promises a large sum to charity, taking a personal oath to fulfill it, but later finds themselves unable to meet the commitment without hardship, thus breaking the rash vow.