Leviticus 7 7

Leviticus 7:7 kjv

As the sin offering is, so is the trespass offering: there is one law for them: the priest that maketh atonement therewith shall have it.

Leviticus 7:7 nkjv

The trespass offering is like the sin offering; there is one law for them both: the priest who makes atonement with it shall have it.

Leviticus 7:7 niv

"?'The same law applies to both the sin offering and the guilt offering: They belong to the priest who makes atonement with them.

Leviticus 7:7 esv

The guilt offering is just like the sin offering; there is one law for them. The priest who makes atonement with it shall have it.

Leviticus 7:7 nlt

"The same instructions apply to both the guilt offering and the sin offering. Both belong to the priest who uses them to purify someone, making that person right with the LORD.

Leviticus 7 verses

Leviticus 7 7 Meaning

Leviticus 7:7 declares that the priestly regulations concerning the distribution of the sin offering apply equally to the trespass (or guilt) offering. Both were considered "most holy" portions for the priests. This means the priest who officiated in making atonement with these sacrifices was entitled to consume the specific parts designated for him, ensuring uniformity and sustenance for those who ministered before the Lord.

Leviticus 7 7 Context

Leviticus, the third book of the Pentateuch, outlines God's holy requirements for Israel as His covenant people. Chapters 1-7 meticulously detail various types of offerings to be brought by the Israelites to the Tabernacle, covering their purpose, the ritual procedures, and the portions allocated to the priests. This particular verse falls within chapters 6 and 7, which provide supplementary instructions for the priests regarding their roles in these sacrifices and their entitled share of the sacrificial offerings.

The primary aim of these detailed laws was to ensure purity, maintain order in worship, and establish a framework for atonement for sins and uncleanness. The regulations also provide for the sustenance of the priestly class, allowing them to dedicate themselves entirely to their sacred duties without needing to engage in other occupations for their livelihood. This unified "law" for the sin and trespass offerings underlines God's consistent principles for divine service and priestly provision, reflecting a deliberate contrast to the often arbitrary and less ordered rituals of surrounding pagan nations.

Leviticus 7 7 Word analysis

• Like the sin offering (כַּחַטָּאת - kaḥaṭṭāṯ):
  • Ka-: "Like" or "as."
  • Ḥaṭṭāʾṯ: Hebrew for "sin offering," derived from ḥāṭā meaning "to miss the mark," "to go astray," or "to err." This offering primarily addressed unintentional sins, general purification from uncleanness, and various forms of ritual impurity that rendered one ineligible for worship. The animal's blood was often used to cleanse the altar or the tabernacle.
• so is the trespass offering (כָּאַשָּׁם - kaʾaššām):
  • Ka-: "Like" or "as."
  • ʾĀšām: Hebrew for "trespass offering" or "guilt offering," derived from ʾāšēm meaning "to be guilty" or "to commit an offense." This offering specifically dealt with restitution for wrongs committed, particularly against God's holy things (e.g., misusing sacred items, unintentional fraud concerning sacred property), or against another person when compensation was due and guilt needed expiation. It often involved monetary compensation in addition to the animal sacrifice.
• there shall be one law for them (תּוֹרָה אֶחָת לָהֶם - tôrāh ʾeḥāṯ lâhem):
  • Tôrāh: More than just "law," it means instruction, teaching, or divine direction. It speaks of divine authoritative guidance.
  • ʾEḥāṯ: Hebrew for "one," "united," or "single." Emphasizes consistency and singularity in God's commands regarding the priest's portion for these two sacrifices.
  • Lâhem: "For them," referring to the sin and trespass offerings, specifically how their parts designated for the priest are treated.
• the priest who makes atonement with it (הַכֹּהֵן אֲשֶׁר יְכַפֵּר בּוֹ - hakōhēn ʾăšer yəḵapēr bô):
  • Hakōhēn: "The priest," referring to the specific individual priest who performed the sacrificial ritual for the worshipper.
  • Yəḵapēr: The Hithpael form of the verb kāphar, meaning "to atone," "to make atonement," "to expiate," or "to cover over." This highlights the priest's vital mediatorial role in achieving reconciliation between God and the offerer. His participation by consuming the meat connects him to this sacred act of expiation.
  • Bô: "With it," referring to the offering through which atonement is made.
• shall have it (לוֹ יִהְיֶה - lô yihyeh):
  • Lô: "To him" or "for him."
  • Yihyeh: "It shall be," or "it will belong." This signifies entitlement and ownership; it is the priest's divinely appointed provision.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Like the sin offering, so is the trespass offering": This phrase establishes parity in the priestly entitlement for two distinct offerings. Although the theological purpose for the worshipper differed, God commanded consistency in the practical matter of how the priests would receive their portion from them. This implies a shared level of sanctity in their administration and priestly claim.
• "there shall be one law for them": This directly states God's unified directive. It underscores the orderliness of divine instructions and prevents confusion or favoritism in the distribution of the priests' shares. It ensures that the sustenance of the priesthood is consistently provided, regardless of the specific nature of the offering, reinforcing the reliability of God's provision.
• "the priest who makes atonement with it shall have it": This links the priestly privilege of partaking in the offering directly to his sacred function of making atonement. It signifies that the priest's physical sustenance is directly tied to his spiritual ministry. This emphasizes God's arrangement for the livelihood of His ministers, who were dedicated entirely to facilitating spiritual reconciliation for the people.

Leviticus 7 7 Bonus section

• Sanctity of the Portions: Both the sin offering and trespass offering were designated as "most holy" (Lev 6:29; 7:6). This meant their remains (after certain parts were burnt to God) could only be eaten by male priests in a holy place, like the Tabernacle courtyard. This strict regulation reinforced the sacredness of the offerings and the privileged, consecrated status of the priests.
• A Precursor to New Covenant Ministry: The Old Covenant provision for the priests serves as a foundational principle echoed in the New Testament concerning the sustenance of those who minister the Gospel. Just as the Levitical priest lived by serving the altar, so too does the New Testament teach that those who preach the Gospel should live from the Gospel (1 Cor 9:13-14), demonstrating God's consistent care for those consecrated to His service.
• Divine Design: This verse, like many others in Leviticus, demonstrates the incredible order, precision, and foresight of God's design for Israel's worship. Every detail, down to the priest's portion, was intentionally legislated to foster holiness, prevent corruption, and enable the functional operation of the sacred cultus.

Leviticus 7 7 Commentary

Leviticus 7:7 succinctly reinforces a critical administrative detail within the sacrificial system: the priestly entitlement for the sin and trespass offerings adhered to a single set of regulations. While the sin offering (for unintentional sin/impurity) and the trespass offering (for specific guilt requiring restitution) addressed different nuances of human transgression, the portions reserved for the priest were governed by the same divine decree. The priest, the active participant who "makes atonement" (kāphar) through the sacrificial ritual, was granted specific parts of these "most holy" sacrifices to consume. This arrangement was not merely a reward, but an essential component of God's divine economy, ensuring the livelihood of the Levite priests who served in the Tabernacle. It allowed them to dedicate their full attention and strength to their sacred responsibilities, maintaining their purity and ensuring their availability to minister God's holy purposes to the nation of Israel. This consistent law reflected God's unchanging nature and meticulous care for His covenant people and those appointed to minister among them.