Leviticus 5 5

Leviticus 5:5 kjv

And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that he hath sinned in that thing:

Leviticus 5:5 nkjv

'And it shall be, when he is guilty in any of these matters, that he shall confess that he has sinned in that thing;

Leviticus 5:5 niv

when anyone becomes aware that they are guilty in any of these matters, they must confess in what way they have sinned.

Leviticus 5:5 esv

when he realizes his guilt in any of these and confesses the sin he has committed,

Leviticus 5:5 nlt

"When you become aware of your guilt in any of these ways, you must confess your sin.

Leviticus 5 verses

Leviticus 5 5 Meaning

Leviticus 5:5 outlines the required first step for an Israelite who becomes aware of an unintentional sin or ceremonial impurity specified earlier in the chapter. Upon recognizing their guilt ("when he becomes aware of his guilt"), the individual is commanded to verbally acknowledge and declare their specific transgression ("he shall confess that he has sinned in that matter"). This act of personal confession is a crucial prerequisite, preceding the bringing of the prescribed sin or guilt offering to the tabernacle, demonstrating genuine acknowledgment of fault before God.

Leviticus 5 5 Context

Leviticus chapter 5 details various scenarios involving unintentional or unknowingly committed sins and impurities that render an Israelite ceremonially unclean and incur guilt before God. The chapter specifies distinct situations: withholding testimony (v. 1), touching unclean things (v. 2-3), or making rash oaths (v. 4). This specific verse (v. 5) acts as a pivotal instruction, articulating the essential first step once the individual becomes conscious of their offense, irrespective of whether they were initially unaware. This requirement of confession highlights that mere performance of rituals is insufficient; genuine acknowledgment of sin, prompted by personal conviction, must precede the bringing of the appropriate sin (חַטָּאת, ḥaṭṭā't) or guilt (אָשָׁם, ʼāšām) offering described in the subsequent verses. Historically, such purity and atonement laws were fundamental to Israel's covenant relationship with God, allowing His holy presence to remain among them despite their human frailties. These laws underscored the sanctity of God and the need for Israel to live in a state of covenantal purity.

Leviticus 5 5 Word analysis

• when he becomes aware: From the Hebrew phrase וְהָיָה֙ כִּֽי־יֶאְשַׁ֗ם (vəhâyâ kî-ye'sham). The verb יאְשַׁ֗ם (ye'sham) means "to be guilty" or "to realize guilt." It signifies the crucial moment when the sinner transitions from a state of unconscious offense to one of conscious recognition of their transgression against God's law. This is more than intellectual knowledge; it implies conviction of heart.
• of his guilt: Directly related to the root אשם (asham), denoting a state of culpability or indebtedness incurred through wrongdoing. It highlights that the realization is not just of an act, but of its resulting guilt and violation.
• in any of these: Hebrew לְאַחַ֨ת מֵאֵ֙לֶּה֙ (lə'akhaṯ mê'elleh), referring specifically to the situations outlined in Leviticus 5:1-4: forgetting an oath, touching unclean objects, or speaking rash oaths. This emphasizes that the confession must be precise, relating to the specific misdeed.
• he shall confess: Hebrew וְהִתְוַדָּה֙ (vəhitvaddah), a Hithpael form of the root ידה (yadah). This reflexive and intensive form denotes a deliberate, open, and often public admission or acknowledgment of wrongdoing. It is an active verbal declaration, signifying a turning from concealment to honesty before God, and often before the priest.
• that he has sinned: Hebrew אֲשֶׁ֣ר חָטָ֗א ('asher khâṭâ'). The verb חטא (khâṭâ') means "to miss the mark," "to go astray," "to err." This directly acknowledges the action as a specific deviation from God's righteous standard or command.
• in that matter: Hebrew עָלֶיהָ֙ ('alêhâ'), meaning "concerning it" or "on account of it." This reiterates the need for specificity in confession. It is not a vague or general admission of being a sinner, but a clear, focused admission of the particular fault that has come to light.

• when he becomes aware of his guilt... he shall confess: This phrase establishes a critical cause-and-effect sequence: internal realization of culpability must immediately lead to an external, verbal declaration. It underscores that God requires a heart-level response—true conviction—as the foundation for atonement rituals. This conviction cannot remain unexpressed.
• confess that he has sinned in that matter: This emphasizes the deliberate nature and specificity of the required confession. It means identifying the exact trespass, preventing a superficial or generalized admission that might lack genuine repentance. This focus on particularity is vital for accountability and true reconciliation.

Leviticus 5 5 Bonus section

The concept of asham (guilt/trespass offering) as applied to unintentional sins (Lev 5:1-4) suggests a qualitative shift from general hattat (sin offering) where "making restitution" or "satisfaction" might be implied even if not directly monetary. Confession in verse 5 specifically acknowledges this "trespass" aspect, requiring a precise identification of the violation. This specific confession distinguishes unintentional sins from presumptuous sins (Num 15:30-31), for which there was no animal sacrifice, indicating God's allowance for grace and atonement for those who err in ignorance but confess upon revelation. This verse powerfully illustrates that genuine repentance begins internally with conviction and must manifest externally through explicit admission of specific wrongdoing. It foreshadows the importance of personal brokenness and confession even in the New Testament understanding of repentance.

Leviticus 5 5 Commentary

Leviticus 5:5 encapsulates a foundational principle of Old Covenant atonement: before God would accept a sacrifice, the heart of the offerer had to align with the sacred process through conscious admission of guilt. This verse distinguishes itself from pagan rites which often focused on mechanistic ritual performance, by stressing the necessity of personal awareness and verbal confession. The individual, having sinned unintentionally and incurred guilt (a state of defilement before God), is brought by God's Spirit or conscience to the point of realizing their transgression. At this moment of realization, God requires an honest, specific confession of the wrongdoing. This isn't just internal remorse, but an outward verbal acknowledgment that lays bare the heart before a holy God. It signifies personal responsibility and a willingness to step out of the shadows of sin. This confession then sets the stage for the animal offering as God's ordained means of expiation, demonstrating that human effort (confession) combined with divine provision (sacrifice) constitutes the path to forgiveness and restoration of purity in the covenant community. For us, this highlights that God still desires sincere confession as a prelude to His grace and cleansing, much as in 1 John 1:9, even though the sacrifice is now perfectly fulfilled in Christ.