Leviticus 5:3

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

Translations

Modern
Or if he touches human uncleanness—anything by which one becomes unclean—even if he is unaware of it, when he realizes it, he is guilty.
Traditional
Or if he touch the uncleanness of man, whatsoever uncleanness it be that a man shall be defiled withal, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty.
Literal
Or if he touches uncleanness of man, according to all his uncleanness by which he becomes unclean, and it is hidden from him, and he realizes it, then he shall be guilty.
Latin
…et si tetigerit quidquam de immunditia hominis juxta omnem impuritatem, qua pollui solet, oblitaque cognoverit postea, subjacebit delicto.

Original

Hebrew
English
Or if he touches human uncleanness—anything by which one becomes unclean—even if he is unaware of it, when he realizes it, he is guilty.

Notes

Any bodily discharge, including blood, made a person temporarily unclean (chapters Leviticus 11–15). Being ceremonially unclean was not the same as sin. But if someone ignored their unclean state and did not take the required steps, that became sin because it allowed the impurity to spread. Once a person realized they were unclean, they were guilty if they ignored it.

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.

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 Offerings and Sacrifices Worship

Topics

Defilement: Caused by Touching Carcass of an Unclean Thing Defilement: Things Liable to Ceremonial: The Person Sanitation: Contagion Trespass offering: To be offered for Involuntarily Touching Unclean Things Uncleanness: (Ceremonially Speaking) Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: Persons Unclean