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Leviticus 5

1
“‘If anyone sins, in that he hears a public adjuration to testify, he being a witness, whether he has seen or known, if he doesn’t report it, then he shall bear his iniquity.
2
“‘Or if anyone touches any unclean thing, whether it is the carcass of an unclean animal, or the carcass of unclean livestock, or the carcass of unclean creeping things, and it is hidden from him, and he is unclean, then he shall be guilty.
3
“‘Or if he touches the uncleanness of man, whatever his uncleanness is with which he is unclean, and it is hidden from him; when he knows of it, then he shall be guilty.
4
“‘Or if anyone swears rashly with his lips to do evil or to do good—whatever it is that a man might utter rashly with an oath, and it is hidden from him—when he knows of it, then he will be guilty of one of these.
5
It shall be, when he is guilty of one of these, he shall confess that in which he has sinned;
6
and he shall bring his trespass offering to the LORD for his sin which he has sinned: a female from the flock, a lamb or a goat, for a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin.
7
“‘If he can’t afford a lamb, then he shall bring his trespass offering for that in which he has sinned, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, to the LORD; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering.
8
He shall bring them to the priest, who shall first offer the one which is for the sin offering. He shall wring off its head from its neck, but shall not sever it completely.
9
He shall sprinkle some of the blood of the sin offering on the side of the altar; and the rest of the blood shall be drained out at the base of the altar. It is a sin offering.
10
He shall offer the second for a burnt offering, according to the ordinance; and the priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin which he has sinned, and he shall be forgiven.
11
“‘But if he can’t afford two turtledoves or two young pigeons, then he shall bring as his offering for that in which he has sinned, one tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering. He shall put no oil on it, and he shall not put any frankincense on it, for it is a sin offering.
12
He shall bring it to the priest, and the priest shall take his handful of it as the memorial portion, and burn it on the altar, on the offerings of the LORD made by fire. It is a sin offering.
13
The priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin that he has sinned in any of these things, and he will be forgiven; and the rest shall be the priest’s, as the meal offering.’”
14
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
15
“If anyone commits a trespass, and sins unwittingly regarding the LORD’s holy things, then he shall bring his trespass offering to the LORD: a ram without defect from the flock, according to your estimation in silver by shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering.
16
He shall make restitution for that which he has done wrong regarding the holy thing, and shall add a fifth part to it, and give it to the priest; and the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering, and he will be forgiven.
17
“If anyone sins, doing any of the things which the LORD has commanded not to be done, though he didn’t know it, he is still guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.
18
He shall bring a ram without defect from of the flock, according to your estimation, for a trespass offering, to the priest; and the priest shall make atonement for him concerning the thing in which he sinned and didn’t know it, and he will be forgiven.
19
It is a trespass offering. He is certainly guilty before the LORD.”
Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview. This chapter addresses specific categories of unintentional sins and the corresponding requirements for atonement, focusing on transgressions involving testimony, ritual impurity, rash oaths, and inadvertent violations of holy things. It outlines the moral and ceremonial responsibilities of individuals within the covenant community, emphasizing accountability before God even when sins are committed unknowingly. Situated within Leviticus’ unfolding instruction on holiness and sacrifice, chapter 5 transitions from broader sacrificial laws to more particular cases of guilt requiring expiation.

Flow.

  • Begins with sins of omission (failing to testify when required) and sins resulting from ritual uncleanness contracted unknowingly.
  • Expands to include guilt incurred by rash speech under oath, even if the matter was not initially recognized.
  • Prescribes graduated sin offerings based on financial ability—lamb, birds, or fine flour—ensuring accessibility to atonement for all.
  • Introduces the trespass offering for unrecognized violations of holy things or divine commands, requiring both sacrifice and restitution plus a fifth.

Connections. Following chapter 4, which detailed sin offerings for leaders and the congregation in cases of unintentional sin, chapter 5 broadens the scope to include private individuals and less conspicuous sins—those arising from silence, contact with impurity, or unconsidered speech. It deepens the theology of personal responsibility and extends the means of atonement to the economically vulnerable. This prepares for chapter 6, which continues the discussion of trespass offerings, particularly in cases involving deception or theft, thereby linking repentance with both ritual and ethical restitution.

What it teaches. The chapter teaches that guilt before God arises not only from deliberate acts but also from negligence, ritual contamination, and ignorance, all of which disrupt covenant fellowship. Atonement is available through divinely appointed sacrifices, with provisions ensuring that forgiveness is accessible regardless of means (WCF 18.3; HC LD 23). The requirement to confess sin () reflects the necessity of personal acknowledgment before God (WCF 15.6), while the inclusion of restitution with the trespass offering underscores that offenses against God’s holiness entail both ritual and moral rectification (; HC Q/A 80). Even unwitting sins require expiation, affirming that God’s law extends to the heart and conscience (WCF 19.6).

Apply. When unnoticed failures are brought to light, they are to be confessed and atoned for through Christ, the perfect offering for all sin, known and unknown.

AI-generated. Not a substitute for Scripture, your pastor, or the confessions.