Vayikra 4:22

22 When a nasi hath sinned, and done something through ignorance against any of the mitzvot of Hashem Elohav concerning things which should not be done, and is guilty;

Vayikra 4:22 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 4:22

When a ruler hath sinned
Or "prince", the "nasi", one that is lifted up above others in honour, power, and authority, or that bears the weight of government: the word comes from one which signifies to lift up, or to bear; it may be understood of a governor of a family, or of a tribe, as Aben Ezra observes; and so in the Talmud

---

FOOTNOTES:

F11 it is said, it means the prince of a tribe, such as Nachson the son of Amminadab, prince of the tribe of Judah. Maimonides ^F12 says a king is designed, over whom none has power; and so Gersom on the place, who observes, that David the king is called a prince, ( Ezekiel 34:24 ) ( 46:2 )

and done [somewhat] through ignorance [against] any of the
commandments of the Lord his God;
the phrase, "his God", is here added, and is not used neither of the anointed priest, nor of the congregation, nor of one of the common people; only of the prince, to show, that though he is above others, God is above him, and he is accountable to him; he is his God, of whom he is, and by whom he rules; wherefore if he breaks any of his commandments, though ignorantly, he must bring a sacrifice for it:

[concerning things] which should not be done, and is guilty;
of transgressing negative precepts, which are as binding on him as others.

F11 T. Bab. Horayot, fol. 11. 1.
F12 Hilchot Shegagot, c. 15. sect. 6.

Vayikra 4:22 In-Context

20 And he shall do with the young bull as he did with the young bull for a chattat (sin offering), so shall he do with this; and the kohen shall make kapporah for them, and it shall be forgiven them.

21 And he shall carry forth the young bull outside the machaneh, and burn him as he burned the first young bull; it is a chattat (sin offering) for the Kahal.

22 When a nasi hath sinned, and done something through ignorance against any of the mitzvot of Hashem Elohav concerning things which should not be done, and is guilty;

23 Or if his chattat (sin), wherein he hath sinned, come to his knowledge; he shall bring his korban, a male goat tamim (without blemish);

24 And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the goat, and slaughter (shachat) it in the place where they slaughter the olah (burnt offering) before Hashem; it is a chattat (sin offering).