Leviticus 5:10

And he shall offer the second [for] a burnt offering, according to the manner: and the priest shall make an atonement for him for his sin which he hath sinned, and it shall be forgiven him.

And he shall offer {H6213} the second {H8145} for a burnt offering {H5930}, according to the manner {H4941}: and the priest {H3548} shall make an atonement {H3722} for him for his sin {H2403} which he hath sinned {H2398}, and it shall be forgiven {H5545} him.

He is to prepare the second as a burnt offering in the manner prescribed. Thus the cohen will make atonement for him in regard to the sin which he committed, and he will be forgiven.

And the priest must prepare the second bird as a burnt offering according to the ordinance. In this way the priest will make atonement for him for the sin he has committed, and he will be forgiven.

And he shall offer the second for a burnt-offering, according to the ordinance; and the priest shall make atonement for him as concerning his sin which he hath sinned, and he shall be forgiven.

Commentary

Leviticus 5:10 outlines the concluding actions for a specific type of sin offering under the Mosaic Law, particularly for those who could not afford more expensive sacrifices. It emphasizes the critical role of the priest in mediating atonement and the divine promise of forgiveness for unintentional sins.

Context

This verse is part of a section in Leviticus 5 (verses 1-13) that details various scenarios of unintentional sin and the prescribed offerings for them. Specifically, verses 7-9 address situations where an individual is too poor to bring a lamb or goat for their sin offering. In such cases, God graciously permitted an alternative: two turtledoves or two young pigeons. According to the instructions in Leviticus 5:8 and Leviticus 5:9, one bird was to be offered as a sin offering, and the second, as described here in verse 10, was for a burnt offering. This demonstrates God's mercy and provision, ensuring that even the most financially challenged could seek purification and reconciliation.

Key Themes

  • Atonement and Forgiveness: The central message of Leviticus 5:10 is the priestly act of making "atonement" (Hebrew: kaphar, meaning 'to cover' or 'to expiate') for the sinner, leading to divine forgiveness. This highlights God's desire to reconcile with His people and His established means for dealing with sin, even when committed unknowingly. The sacrificial system served as a temporary covering for sin, pointing forward to a greater, ultimate sacrifice.
  • Divine Provision and Mercy: God did not establish a system of forgiveness that only the wealthy could access. By allowing offerings of lesser value, He underscored His compassion and commitment to making a way for all His people to be cleansed from sin. This principle of divine grace is a recurring theme throughout scripture.
  • The Role of the Priest: The priest acted as the mediator between God and the individual. It was through his specific actions, "according to the manner" of the law, that the atonement was completed and the forgiveness pronounced. This prefigures the role of Jesus Christ as our ultimate High Priest, who offers Himself as the perfect sacrifice.
  • The Sacrificial System: This verse, like many in Leviticus, explains the meticulous procedures of the Old Testament sacrificial system. Each offering had a specific purpose, contributing to the overall framework for maintaining holiness and fellowship with God in ancient Israel. While these animal sacrifices could not truly take away sin (as noted in Hebrews 10:4), they served as a shadow of the perfect sacrifice to come.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "atonement" is kaphar (Χ›ΦΈΦΌΧ€Φ·Χ¨), which implies covering, expiating, or purging. It signifies the process by which God's wrath against sin is appeased and the relationship between God and humanity is restored. The term "forgiven" comes from the Hebrew word salach (Χ‘ΦΈΧœΦΈΧ—), meaning 'to pardon' or 'to forgive'. This emphasizes God's active role in remitting the penalty of sin and restoring the sinner to a state of grace.

Practical Application

While believers today are no longer under the Mosaic Law's sacrificial system, Leviticus 5:10 offers profound spiritual truths. It reminds us of:

  • God's Holiness and the Seriousness of Sin: Every sin, even unintentional ones, requires atonement. God's standard is perfect holiness.
  • The Necessity of Atonement: Forgiveness is not automatic; it requires a divinely appointed means of reconciliation. The Old Testament sacrifices, including those for the poor, pointed forward to the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. His blood shed on the cross is the ultimate and perfect atonement for all sin (Hebrews 9:22).
  • God's Gracious Provision: Just as God made a way for the poor in ancient Israel, He has made the ultimate provision for all humanity through Christ. We are invited to confess our sins to God, knowing that "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). This verse assures us that God's desire is always to forgive and restore.
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Cross-References

  • Leviticus 1:14

    And if the burnt sacrifice for his offering to the LORD [be] of fowls, then he shall bring his offering of turtledoves, or of young pigeons.

  • Leviticus 1:17

    And he shall cleave it with the wings thereof, [but] shall not divide [it] asunder: and the priest shall burn it upon the altar, upon the wood that [is] upon the fire: it [is] a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • James 5:15

    And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

  • 1 John 2:2

    And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world.

  • Leviticus 5:16

    And he shall make amends for the harm that he hath done in the holy thing, and shall add the fifth part thereto, and give it unto the priest: and the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering, and it shall be forgiven him.
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