Leviticus 4:27

ยถ And if any one of the common people sin through ignorance, while he doeth [somewhat against] any of the commandments of the LORD [concerning things] which ought not to be done, and be guilty;

And if any {H259} one {H5315} of the common {H776} people {H5971} sin {H2398} through ignorance {H7684}, while he doeth {H6213} somewhat against any {H259} of the commandments {H4687} of the LORD {H3068} concerning things which ought not to be done {H6213}, and be guilty {H816};

"'If an individual among the people commits a sin inadvertently, doing something against any of the mitzvot of ADONAI concerning things which should not be done, he is guilty.

And if one of the common people sins unintentionally and does what is prohibited by any of the LORDโ€™s commandments, he incurs guilt.

And if any one of the common people sin unwittingly, in doing any of the things which Jehovah hath commanded not to be done, and be guilty;

Commentary

Leviticus 4:27 addresses the scenario of a common person in ancient Israel committing a sin unintentionally, or "through ignorance." This verse is part of God's detailed instructions to Moses regarding the various sin offerings required for different segments of the community, emphasizing that even unknown transgressions rendered one guilty before a holy God.

Context

This verse falls within Leviticus chapter 4, which outlines the specific procedures and offerings for sins committed "unwittingly" or "through ignorance." The chapter details offerings for the high priest (Leviticus 4:3), the whole congregation (Leviticus 4:13), and a ruler (Leviticus 4:22). Leviticus 4:27 specifically addresses the "common people," indicating that the need for atonement spanned all levels of Israelite society. These laws highlight God's meticulous concern for purity and the restoration of fellowship with His people.

Key Themes

  • Sin of Ignorance: The verse underscores that even unintentional sins, committed due to oversight or lack of full awareness, still incur guilt before God. This illustrates the absolute standard of God's holiness and the pervasive nature of sin.
  • Universal Guilt: While the specific offering might differ based on social status (a female goat for a common person, a bull for a high priest), the principle of guilt and the need for atonement applied to everyone. This foreshadows the truth that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
  • Divine Provision for Atonement: God graciously provided a pathway for forgiveness and reconciliation through the sacrificial system. This demonstrated His mercy and desire for His people to remain in covenant relationship with Him.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term translated as "ignorance" or "unwittingly" is shagagah (ืฉืึฐื’ึธื’ึธื”). It refers to an error, a mistake, or an inadvertent act, distinguishing it from defiant, high-handed sin done with full knowledge and intent (as mentioned in Numbers 15:30). The term "guilty" ('ashem, ืึธืฉึตืื) signifies incurring legal or moral liability, indicating that a transgression, even if unintentional, still required a remedy to restore one's standing before God.

Practical Application

Leviticus 4:27 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Awareness of Sin: It reminds us that sin's pervasive nature means even what we don't realize we've done can create a barrier between us and God. This should prompt humility and a desire to better understand God's will and commandments.
  • Need for Atonement: The Old Testament sacrificial system, including the sin offering, pointed to the ultimate, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Through His blood, believers find complete atonement for all sins, both known and unknown (Hebrews 9:22).
  • Confession and Forgiveness: While Christ's sacrifice is complete, we are still called to confess our sins. 1 John 1:9 assures us that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This includes acknowledging our unintentional errors and seeking God's grace.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 4:2

    Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD [concerning things] which ought not to be done, and shall do against any of them:

  • Numbers 15:27

    And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering.

  • Leviticus 4:13

    ยถ And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done [somewhat against] any of the commandments of the LORD [concerning things] which should not be done, and are guilty;

  • Numbers 5:6

    Speak unto the children of Israel, When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the LORD, and that person be guilty;

  • Numbers 15:29

    Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, [both for] him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them.

  • Exodus 12:49

    One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.

  • Numbers 15:16

    One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.
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