Leviticus 5:1-8

1 And when a person commits sin, because they were called to testify under oath, and he was a witness that has seen or known of it, if he does not declare it, then he shall bear his iniquity.

2 Likewise the person who touches any unclean thing, whether it is a carcase of an unclean beast or a carcase of unclean animal or the carcase of an unclean serpent, even if it is hidden from him, he shall be unclean and guilty.

3 Or if he touches the uncleanness of man, whatever uncleanness it is that a man shall be defiled with, and it is hid from him, if afterward he should know of it, then he shall be guilty.

4 Also the person who swears, pronouncing with his lips to do evil, or to do good, whatever it is that a man shall pronounce with an oath, and it is hid from him, when he knows of it, then he shall be guilty in one of these.

5 And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that he has sinned;

6 and he shall bring for his guilt unto the LORD for his sin, which he has committed, a female from the flock, a lamb, or a kid of the goats, for his sin; and the priest shall reconcile him from his sin.

7 And if he is not able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring for the guilt of his sin two turtledoves or two young pigeons unto the LORD, one for his sin and the other for a burnt offering.

8 And he shall bring them unto the priest, who shall offer that which is for the sin first and wring off its head from its neck but shall not divide it asunder;

Leviticus 5:1-8 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.