Vayikra 5:17

17 And if a nefesh sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the mitzvot Hashem; though he know it not, yet he is guilty, and shall bear his avon (iniquity).

Vayikra 5:17 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 5:17

And if a soul sin, and commit any of these things which
are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the Lord
Respecting holy things:

though he wist it not;
or did not know that he had transgressed a negative command:

yet he is guilty, and shall bear the iniquity;
be chargeable with guilt, and is liable to punishment, and must make an atonement and satisfaction for it; see ( Luke 12:48 ) .

Vayikra 5:17 In-Context

15 If a nefesh commit a ma’al (trespass), and sin through ignorance (unintentionally), in the holy things of Hashem; then he shall bring for his asham unto Hashem a ram tamim [see Gn 22:13 on the vicarious aspect of the substitutionary atonement and compare Isa 53:5,8] out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of kesef, after the Shekel HaKodesh (the Shekel of the Sanctuary), for an asham (trespass or guilt offering).
16 And he shall make restitution in regard to the holy thing in which he was remiss, and shall add the fifth part thereto, and give it unto the kohen; and the kohen shall make kapporah for him with the ram of the asham (trespass offering), and it shall be forgiven him.
17 And if a nefesh sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the mitzvot Hashem; though he know it not, yet he is guilty, and shall bear his avon (iniquity).
18 And he shall bring a ram tamim out of the flock, with thy estimation, for an asham (trespass offering) unto the kohen; and the kohen shall make kapporah for him concerning his ignorance wherein he erred and knew it not and it shall be forgiven him.
19 It is an asham (trespass offering); he hath certainly trespassed against Hashem. [See Isa 53:10 on Moshiach’s asham offering for Israel—Isa 53:8].
The Orthodox Jewish Bible fourth edition, OJB. Copyright 2002,2003,2008,2010, 2011 by Artists for Israel International. All rights reserved.