Leviticus 5:3

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Or if he touch the uncleanness of man, whatsoever uncleanness [it be] that a man shall be defiled withal, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth [of it], then he shall be guilty.

Complete Jewish Bible:

If he touches some human uncleanness, no matter what the source of his uncleanness is, and is unaware of it, then, when he learns of it, he is guilty.

Berean Standard Bible:

Or if he touches human uncleanness—anything by which one becomes unclean—even if he is unaware of it, when he realizes it, he is guilty.

American Standard Version:

Or if he touch the uncleanness of man, whatsoever his uncleanness be wherewith he is unclean, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Or if he touch^{H5060} the uncleanness^{H2932} of man^{H120}, whatsoever uncleanness^{H2932} it be that a man shall be defiled^{H2930} withal, and it be hid^{H5956} from him; when he knoweth^{H3045} of it, then he shall be guilty^{H816}.

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Commentary for Leviticus 5:3

1. Themes:
- Ritual Purity: Leviticus 5:3 addresses the importance of maintaining ritual purity in the Israelite community. Contact with impurity, whether known or unknown, requires a process of purification.
- Responsibility and Awareness: The verse emphasizes personal responsibility to recognize and rectify one's state of impurity once known, even if initially unaware.
- Atonement and Guilt: The text outlines the consequences of becoming ritually impure and the need for atonement once the individual becomes aware of their condition.

2. Historical Context:
- The book of Leviticus is part of the Torah, traditionally ascribed to Moses, and was written during the time of the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt, approximately between 1440 and 1400 BCE.
- The laws in Leviticus were designed to set the Israelites apart as a holy nation before God, with detailed instructions on how to live and worship.
- The concept of uncleanness or impurity would have been significant in the ancient Near Eastern context, where such states could render a person unfit to participate in religious and community life until purified.
- The regulations served to maintain the sanctity of the tabernacle (and later the temple) and the community, ensuring that the people would not defile the sacred space dedicated to the worship of Yahweh.

In summary, Leviticus 5:3 reflects the themes of ritual purity, personal responsibility, and the need for atonement within the historical context of the Israelites' religious practices and their understanding of holiness and divine worship.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H5060
   There are 142 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָגַע
   Transliteration: nâgaʻ
   Pronunciation: naw-gah'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive, acquire); violently, to strike (punish, defeat, destroy, etc.); beat, ([idiom] be able to) bring (down), cast, come (nigh), draw near (nigh), get up, happen, join, near, plague, reach (up), smite, strike, touch.
   
2. Strong's Number: H2932
   There are 31 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: טֻמְאָה
   Transliteration: ṭumʼâh
   Pronunciation: toom-aw'
   Description: from טָמֵא; religious impurity; filthiness, unclean(-ness).
   
3. Strong's Number: H120
   There are 581 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָדָם
   Transliteration: ʼâdâm
   Pronunciation: aw-dawm'
   Description: from אָדַם; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.); [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person.
   
4. Strong's Number: H2930
   There are 142 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: טָמֵא
   Transliteration: ṭâmêʼ
   Pronunciation: taw-may'
   Description: a primitive root; to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated); defile (self), pollute (self), be (make, make self, pronounce) unclean, [idiom] utterly.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5956
   There are 27 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָלַם
   Transliteration: ʻâlam
   Pronunciation: aw-lam'
   Description: a primitive root; to veil from sight, i.e. conceal (literally or figuratively); [idiom] any ways, blind, dissembler, hide (self), secret (thing).
   
6. Strong's Number: H3045
   There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָדַע
   Transliteration: yâdaʻ
   Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
   Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot.
   
7. Strong's Number: H816
   There are 145 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָשַׁם
   Transliteration: ʼâsham
   Pronunciation: aw-sham'
   Description: or אָשֵׁם; a primitive root; to be guilty; by implication to be punished or perish; [idiom] certainly, be(-come, made) desolate, destroy, [idiom] greatly, be(-come, found, hold) guilty, offend (acknowledge offence), trespass.