Leviticus chapter 5 outlines various scenarios where an individual incurs guilt, often through inadvertent actions or omissions, and details the required sin or trespass offerings for such transgressions. It addresses failing to testify, touching unclean things, and making rash oaths. The chapter also provides a graduated scale of offerings, from a lamb to birds or fine flour, depending on the offerer's economic ability, and specifies offerings for sins against holy things or unknown commandments.
“‘If anyone sins, in that he hears the voice of adjuration, he being a witness, whether he has seen or known, if he doesn’t report it, then he shall bear his iniquity.
“‘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.
“‘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.
“‘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 shall be guilty of one of these.
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.
“‘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.
He shall bring them to the priest, who shall first offer the one which is for the sin offering, and wring off its head from its neck, but shall not sever it completely.
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.
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.
“‘But if he can’t afford two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, then he shall bring his offering for that in which he has sinned, the tenth part of an efah of fine flour for a sin offering. He shall put no oil on it, neither shall he put any frankincense on it, for it is a sin offering.
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.
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.’”
Trespass Offering for Offenses Against Holy Things
“If anyone commits a trespass, and sins unwittingly, in the holy things of the LORD; 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, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering.
He shall make restitution for that which he has done wrong in 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.
“If anyone sins, and does any of the things which the LORD has commanded not to be done; though he didn’t know it, yet he is guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.
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.
It is a trespass offering. He is certainly guilty before the LORD.”
Study Notes for Leviticus 5
Verse 1
This verse addresses the failure to testify after hearing a public adjuration (a curse or oath) requiring witnesses to come forward. Withholding information in such a scenario brought guilt upon the silent witness.
Verse 2
This section defines unintentional ritual defilement—touching a carcass or other unclean things without immediate knowledge. The person becomes guilty only when the contamination is later realized.
Verse 4
This refers to rash or forgotten oaths made concerning future actions ('to do evil, or to do good'). Failure to fulfill the vow, even if unintentional, required atonement.
Verse 5
Confession (acknowledgment of the sin) is a mandatory step, preceding the bringing of the sacrificial animal. This highlights the internal and external requirements for true forgiveness.
Verse 7
This passage introduces the principle of the graduated scale, demonstrating God's mercy and ensuring that atonement was accessible even to the poorest members of the community.
Verse 11
The most minimal offering is fine flour, specifically lacking oil and frankincense. This lack of festive elements distinguishes it as a solemn offering for sin, not a standard celebratory grain offering.
Verse 14
This verse marks the formal introduction of the 'Asham' (Trespass/Guilt Offering), which is distinguished from the Sin Offering by the requirement of mandatory restitution.
Verse 15
Sins 'in the holy things' include the unintentional misuse of consecrated property, tithes, or priestly dues. The sacrificial ram is required alongside monetary compensation based on priestly estimation.
Verse 16
Restitution for damage done to holy things requires payment of the full value plus a penalty of one-fifth (20%). This requirement emphasizes justice and practical restoration alongside ritual atonement.
Verse 17
This addresses general unintentional transgressions where the specific commandment violated is unknown to the offender. The trespass offering covers the certainty of guilt before God, even in ignorance.
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