Keraia
Leviticus 5

Leviticus 5:1

Sins Requiring a Sin Offering · Leviticus 5:1–13
Read Leviticus 5

Translations

Modern
“If someone sins by failing to testify when he hears a public charge about something he has witnessed, whether he has seen it or learned of it, he shall bear the iniquity.
Traditional
And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he hath seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity.
Literal
“ And if a soul sins and hears the voice of an oath, and he is a witness, whether he has seen or he has known, if he does not tell, then he shall bear his iniquity.
Latin
Si peccaverit anima, et audierit vocem jurantis, testisque fuerit quod aut ipse vidit, aut conscius est: nisi indicaverit, portabit iniquitatem suam.

Original

Hebrew
English
“If someone sins by failing to testify when he hears a public charge about something he has witnessed, whether he has seen it or learned of it, he shall bear the iniquity.

Notes

Leviticus 5:1

  • The first sin was not testifying when summoned as a witness in court. This verse considers not testifying to be an active sin. This was because it helped the criminal.

  • he shall bear the iniquity: Expecting God's punishment for the sin, the guilty person offered a sacrifice to remove the guilt and escape the punishment.

Leviticus 5:1–6

These verses give examples of sins that required a sin offering (Leviticus 4:2). When a person became aware of committing a wrong, the next step to make it right was to admit the guilt and bring a sin offering.

Leviticus 4:1–5:13

The sin offering is called khatta’t in Hebrew, from the root khata’. It means "to lack, fall short, miss, fail." The people made this offering when they unintentionally violated specific commands of God (see also Numbers 15:22–29). The purpose of this offering was to repair a loss or fix a failure (for example, Leviticus 5:1–4).

Although all Christians sin, God will forgive us if we confess them (Galatians 6:1; 1 John 1:8–9). Yet, the Scripture warns against sinning "defiantly" or "deliberately" (Numbers 15:30–31; Hebrews 10:26–29; 6:4–6).

Theme notes and profiles

Ancient Law Codes Atonement Pure Worship

Parallels

Leviticus 4:1–35 Leviticus 6:24–30

Glossary

Biblical Concept of Law Deuteronomy, Book of History of Israel Law of Moses Leviticus, Book of Moses Oath Offerings and Sacrifices Worship

Topics

Accepting Others Courts of Justice: The Accused: Examined on Oath Evidence: Laws Concerning Offerings: Sin: Ordinances Concerning Offerings: Trespass: Ordinances Concerning Revelation: The Law is Revealed Trespass offering: To be offered for Concealing Knowledge of a Crime Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: Persons Withholding Evidence Witness: General Scriptures Concerning