Leviticus 5:14-19

The Guilt Offering

14 The LORD said to Moses:
15 “When anyone is unfaithful to the LORD by sinning unintentionally in regard to any of the LORD’s holy things, they are to bring to the LORD as a penalty a ram from the flock, one without defect and of the proper value in silver, according to the sanctuary shekel.[a] It is a guilt offering.
16 They must make restitution for what they have failed to do in regard to the holy things, pay an additional penalty of a fifth of its value and give it all to the priest. The priest will make atonement for them with the ram as a guilt offering, and they will be forgiven.
17 “If anyone sins and does what is forbidden in any of the LORD’s commands, even though they do not know it, they are guilty and will be held responsible.
18 They are to bring to the priest as a guilt offering a ram from the flock, one without defect and of the proper value. In this way the priest will make atonement for them for the wrong they have committed unintentionally, and they will be forgiven.
19 It is a guilt offering; they have been guilty of[b] wrongdoing against the LORD.”

Leviticus 5:14-19 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO LEVITICUS 5

This chapter treats of the trespass offering, points at the sins for which it was to be made, and the matter of it; it was for secret sins, and sins of ignorance, such as refusing to bear witness in a known case, Le 5:1 touching unclean things and false swearing, Le 5:2-4 the things directed to in such cases are confession, Le 5:5 sacrifice of a lamb, or kid of the goats, Le 5:6 and in case of poverty, two turtle doves, or two young pigeons; concerning the offering of which instructions are given, Le 5:7-10 and if not able to bring them, then a meat offering of fine flour, about which rules are laid down, Le 5:11-13 and for sins committed through ignorance in holy things or sacrileges, the sacrifice of a ram is enjoined, and satisfaction ordered to be made for the injury done in the holy thing, by adding a fifth part to it, Le 5:14-16 and for sins committed ignorantly against negative precepts, only a ram is appointed for the trespass offering, Le 5:17-19.

Cross References 12

  • 1. S Leviticus 4:2
  • 2. Leviticus 22:14
  • 3. S Exodus 29:3; Leviticus 6:6; Numbers 5:8; Numbers 6:14; Numbers 15:6; Numbers 28:11
  • 4. S Exodus 30:13
  • 5. ver 16,18; Leviticus 6:5,6; Leviticus 7:1,7; Leviticus 14:12-17; Leviticus 19:21,22; Numbers 6:12; Numbers 18:9; 1 Samuel 6:3; Ezra 10:19; Isaiah 53:10
  • 6. Leviticus 6:4
  • 7. ver 15; Leviticus 27:13; Leviticus 22:14; Numbers 5:7
  • 8. ver 15; Leviticus 4:2
  • 9. S ver 1
  • 10. Leviticus 6:6; Leviticus 14:12
  • 11. S ver 15
  • 12. 2 Kings 12:16

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. That is, about 2/5 ounce or about 12 grams
  • [b]. Or "offering; atonement has been made for their"
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