Leviticus 19:22

KJV

And the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering before the LORD for his sin which he hath done: and the sin which he hath done shall be forgiven him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the priest {H3548} shall make an atonement {H3722} for him with the ram {H352} of the trespass offering {H817} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068} for his sin {H2403} which he hath done {H2398}: and the sin {H2403} which he hath done {H2398} shall be forgiven {H5545} him.

Complete Jewish Bible

The cohen will make atonement for him with the ram of the guilt offering before ADONAI for the sin he committed, and he will be forgiven for the sin he committed.

Berean Standard Bible

The priest shall make atonement on his behalf before the LORD with the ram of the guilt offering for the sin he has committed, and he will be forgiven the sin he has committed.

American Standard Version

And the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the trespass-offering before Jehovah for his sin which he hath sinned: and the sin which he hath sinned shall be forgiven him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 19:22 meticulously outlines the concluding phase of a prescribed ritual for a trespass offering, emphasizing the indispensable role of the priest in facilitating atonement for a specific sin committed by an individual. Through the sacrificial presentation of a ram, the offender's guilt is ceremonially addressed before the divine presence of the LORD, culminating in the explicit declaration of divine pardon. This verse profoundly underscores God's gracious provision for reconciliation and restoration within the Old Covenant framework, highlighting both the inherent seriousness of sin and the accessibility of divine mercy through the divinely appointed means.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 19 is a foundational chapter within the "Holiness Code" (Leviticus 17-26), a significant portion of the Pentateuch dedicated to detailing God's comprehensive commands for Israel to live as a holy nation, set apart for His purposes. This chapter seamlessly transitions from specific sacrificial protocols to a broad spectrum of ethical, moral, and ceremonial injunctions, underscoring that every facet of Israel's daily existence—from agricultural practices to interpersonal relationships—must intrinsically reflect God's own intrinsic holiness. Verse 22 specifically brings to a definitive close the ritual for a trespass offering (Hebrew: `ʼâshâm`) first introduced and elaborated upon in the preceding verses, [Leviticus 19:20-21](/leviticus/19-20 "Leviticus 19:20-21 - Law Concerning a Female Slave"). These verses delineate a particular scenario involving sexual transgression with a betrothed female slave, for which this distinct offering and its associated restitution were divinely mandated. The strategic placement of this law within a chapter that broadly emphasizes societal and individual holiness powerfully illustrates that even seemingly private sins against individuals or God's commands carry profound communal and spiritual ramifications that necessitate proper atonement.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the elaborate sacrificial system was not merely a set of rituals but a divinely ordained mechanism for addressing sin, maintaining covenant fidelity, and restoring fellowship with God. The trespass offering (`ʼâshâm`), often distinguished as a "guilt offering," held a unique position alongside the sin offering (`chaṭṭâʼâh`). While both offerings addressed the reality of sin, the `ʼâshâm` was typically prescribed for sins that involved a quantifiable violation of another person's rights, an infringement upon God's holy things, or damage to property, frequently necessitating monetary restitution in addition to the animal sacrifice. The specific scenario outlined in [Leviticus 19:20-21](/leviticus/19-20 "Leviticus 19:20-21 - Law Concerning a Female Slave") reflects a complex legal and social context where the female slave, though betrothed, was not yet fully free, thereby mitigating the offense from full adultery (which carried the death penalty) to a trespass requiring a specific offering and financial compensation. The priest's role was paramount, functioning as the divinely appointed mediator who meticulously performed the ritual "before the LORD," signifying that access to God's holy presence and the means of forgiveness were exclusively facilitated through this sacred office. This intricate system provided a tangible, ritualistic framework for acknowledging guilt, seeking divine forgiveness, and actively restoring broken relationships with both God and one's community.
* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 19:22 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. The most prominent theme is **Holiness**, as the entire chapter, and indeed the Holiness Code, calls Israel to reflect God's own holy character in every aspect of life. The need for atonement for sin, even specific trespasses, underscores that sin defiles and disrupts this holiness, necessitating a divine provision for cleansing. Another key theme is **Atonement and Forgiveness**, demonstrating God's gracious provision for dealing with human sin through a prescribed sacrificial system. The verse highlights that God is both just, requiring a response to sin, and merciful, providing a means for reconciliation. The role of the **Priest as Mediator** is also central, emphasizing that access to God and the process of forgiveness are not automatic but are facilitated through divinely appointed intermediaries. Finally, the theme of **Restitution and Justice** is implicitly present, particularly given the nature of the trespass offering which often accompanied a requirement to make amends to the wronged party, as detailed in [Leviticus 6:1-7](/leviticus/6-1-7 "Leviticus 6:1-7 - The Law of the Guilt Offering"). This reveals a holistic understanding of sin's impact, requiring both vertical reconciliation with God and horizontal restoration within the community.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Priest (Hebrew, _kôhên'_):** This term refers to "one officiating," a divinely appointed individual responsible for mediating between God and humanity through prescribed rituals and sacrifices. In the context of Leviticus, the priest's role was crucial for the proper execution of the sacrificial system, ensuring that atonement was made according to God's commands. The priest acts as the conduit through whom the offering is presented and the divine forgiveness is declared.
* **Atonement (Hebrew, _kâphar'_):** A primitive root meaning "to cover," "to expiate or condone," "to placate or cancel." In the Old Testament sacrificial system, `kâphar` signifies the act of dealing with sin in such a way that the offender's guilt is covered or purged, allowing a holy God to interact with sinful humanity without consuming them. It is the ritualistic act that addresses the defiling and separating effects of sin, thereby facilitating the restoration of relationship between God and the individual.
* **Trespass Offering (Hebrew, _ʼâshâm'_):** This noun denotes "guilt" and, by implication, "a fault," and specifically refers to a "sin-offering." Distinct from the general sin offering (`chaṭṭâʼâh`), the `ʼâshâm` was typically offered for sins that involved a violation of God's holy things, another's property rights, or specific covenant obligations that incurred quantifiable guilt, often requiring restitution. The ram, being a valuable animal, underscored the seriousness of the sin and the costliness of the required expiation.
* **Forgiven (Hebrew, _çâlach'_):** A primitive root meaning "to forgive," "to pardon," or "to spare." This verb specifically describes God's divine act of releasing an individual from the penalty and guilt of sin. Unlike `kâphar`, which describes the ritual act of covering, `çâlach` describes the divine outcome—the actual granting of pardon by God. The verse explicitly states that the sin "shall be forgiven him," indicating God's active role in extending mercy and restoration once the prescribed atonement has been made.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering before the LORD for his sin which he hath done":** This initial clause meticulously details the agent, action, means, and purpose of the atonement. The "priest," acting in his divinely appointed capacity, performs the ritual. The specific means of atonement is "the ram of the trespass offering," a designated animal sacrifice for this particular type of sin, signifying the costly substitute. The phrase "before the LORD" underscores that this is not merely a human ritual but a sacred transaction directly addressing God, acknowledging His supreme holiness and the offense committed against Him. The concluding phrase "for his sin which he hath done" directly links the ritual to the specific, concrete transgression of the individual, emphasizing that the offering is a direct, targeted response to an act of disobedience and incurred guilt.
* **"and the sin which he hath done shall be forgiven him."** This second clause serves as the divine declaration of the outcome stemming from the priestly action and the offering. The deliberate repetition of "the sin which he hath done" powerfully reinforces the direct connection between the specific transgression, the accomplished atonement, and the resulting divine pardon. The use of the passive voice, "shall be forgiven him," highlights that forgiveness is exclusively a divine prerogative and a gracious act of God. It is not something earned or automatically granted by the ritual itself, but rather a merciful response from God to the obedient fulfillment of the divinely prescribed means of atonement. This signifies the restoration of relationship and the removal of the guilt and penalty associated with the sin.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 19:22 employs several impactful literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Repetition** is prominently featured with the phrase "his sin which he hath done" appearing twice. This deliberate repetition serves to emphasize the direct and undeniable link between the specific transgression, the required act of atonement, and the subsequent divine forgiveness, thereby reinforcing the principle that God addresses concrete acts of sin with specific provisions. **Symbolism** is central to the verse's meaning, with the "ram of the trespass offering" serving as a powerful symbol of the substitutionary sacrifice, bearing the cost and consequences of the offense. The giving of the ram's life in place of the offender's life vividly represents the gravity of sin and the absolute necessity of a blood sacrifice for expiation. Furthermore, the priest himself functions as a **symbol** of mediation, representing the divinely appointed intermediary essential for bridging the chasm between a holy God and sinful humanity. The entire ritual described within the verse functions as a **type**, foreshadowing a greater spiritual reality yet to come. The Old Testament sacrificial system, including the trespass offering, prophetically points forward to the ultimate, perfect, and once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who would supremely fulfill all these ritualistic requirements.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 19:22 articulates core theological truths concerning the nature of sin, the necessity of atonement, and the gracious provision of divine forgiveness. It unequivocally demonstrates that sin, even specific transgressions, creates a profound barrier between humanity and a holy God, thereby necessitating a divinely instituted means of reconciliation. The verse powerfully highlights God's dual character as both perfectly just (demanding a righteous response to sin) and boundlessly merciful (graciously providing a way for that response to be made). The priestly mediation underscores that access to God and the means of forgiveness are not self-generated or automatic but are exclusively facilitated through a divinely appointed representative. This system of atonement, though temporary and ritualistic, provided a tangible and vital framework for ancient Israel to comprehend the immense gravity of their offenses and the unparalleled graciousness of God's provision for restoration within the covenant relationship.

* [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - Life in the Blood for Atonement")
* [Numbers 15:28](/numbers/15-28 "Numbers 15:28 - Forgiveness for Unintentional Sins")
* [Psalm 32:1](/psalm/32-1 "Psalm 32:1 - Blessed is the One Whose Transgressions are Forgiven")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific rituals of the trespass offering are no longer practiced by believers today, the timeless principles embedded within Leviticus 19:22 remain profoundly relevant and deeply impactful for our spiritual lives. This verse serves as a stark and necessary reminder of the pervasive reality and inherent seriousness of sin—that every transgression, whether a direct violation of God's commands or an offense against our neighbor, carries significant spiritual consequences and creates an urgent need for divine intervention. It compels us to humbly acknowledge our own fallenness and our constant, desperate need for God's boundless grace. More importantly, it points us to the glorious and liberating truth of God's unwavering provision for forgiveness. Just as God meticulously provided a specific way for atonement under the Old Covenant, He has, in His infinite wisdom and love, provided the ultimate and perfect means of forgiveness through His Son, Jesus Christ. Our appropriate response, mirroring that of the ancient Israelite, should be one of humble confession and sincere repentance, trusting with unwavering faith that God, in His boundless mercy, has already made the complete and final provision for our guilt and shame. This profound truth should, in turn, lead us to live lives characterized by profound gratitude, unwavering holiness, and active reconciliation, both in our vertical relationship with God and in our horizontal relationships with those we may have wronged.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the specific nature of the "trespass offering" (often requiring restitution) inform my understanding of the practical implications and necessary actions for my own sins against others?**
* **In what tangible ways does the priest's essential role in this verse powerfully foreshadow the ongoing, perfect mediation of Jesus Christ in my life today?**
* **How does the explicit and unambiguous declaration "shall be forgiven him" profoundly encourage me in confidently seeking God's forgiveness for my own sins, knowing His character?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of the "ram" in the trespass offering?**

Answer: The ram was a highly valuable animal in ancient Israelite society, signifying the inherent costliness of the sin committed and the profound seriousness of the required expiation. Its sacrifice underscored the fundamental principle that sin carries a significant penalty and necessitates a substitutionary payment. The ram's life was symbolically given in place of the offender's, emphasizing the gravity of the offense and the divine requirement for blood atonement, a theme consistently highlighted throughout [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "The Book of Leviticus").

**How does the forgiveness described in Leviticus 19:22 relate to forgiveness in the New Testament?**

Answer: The forgiveness provided in Leviticus 19:22 was conditional upon the meticulous performance of the prescribed ritual and the individual's obedient adherence to the Mosaic Law. It offered a temporary covering for sin, enabling continued fellowship within the Old Covenant framework. In stark contrast, New Testament forgiveness is achieved through the once-for-all, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who comprehensively fulfilled all the requirements of the Law and the entire sacrificial system. His shed blood provides a complete, eternal, and definitive atonement, making forgiveness freely and fully available to all who believe, as powerfully highlighted in passages like [Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption Through His Blood") and [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice"). While the Old Testament rituals served as vital pointers to the profound need for atonement, Christ's finished work provides the ultimate and perfect solution to the problem of sin.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 19:22, with its profound emphasis on priestly mediation, a substitutionary sacrifice, and the divine declaration of forgiveness for sin, finds its ultimate, perfect, and eternal fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament priest, who meticulously "shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering before the LORD," serves as a profound and divinely ordained type of Christ, our [Great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Our Great High Priest"). Unlike the Levitical priests who were limited by their mortality and offered repeated, insufficient sacrifices, Jesus offered Himself as the perfect, blemish-free, and final "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His agonizing death on the cross was the ultimate "trespass offering," not merely for a specific, isolated transgression but for the entire, crushing burden of humanity's sin and guilt ([Isaiah 53:10](/isaiah/53-10 "Isaiah 53:10 - The Suffering Servant as a Guilt Offering")). Through His precious, shed blood, He made a complete, eternal, and fully sufficient atonement, perfectly satisfying God's righteous demands and providing a perfect, permanent covering for all our sins ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ Entered Once for All")). Consequently, the glorious promise that "the sin which he hath done shall be forgiven him" is now fully and eternally realized for all who place their trust and faith in Christ, granting not just temporary ritual cleansing but genuine, eternal reconciliation and a perfectly restored relationship with God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Made Sin for Us")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 4:20

And he shall do with the bullock as he did with the bullock for a sin offering, so shall he do with this: and the priest shall make an atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them.

Leviticus 4:26

And he shall burn all his fat upon the altar, as the fat of the sacrifice of peace offerings: and the priest shall make an atonement for him as concerning his sin, and it shall be forgiven him.