Leviticus 5:17

KJV

And if a soul sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the LORD; though he wist [it] not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.

KJV (with Strong's)

And if a soul {H5315} sin {H2398}, and commit {H6213} any {H259} of these things which are forbidden to be done {H6213} by the commandments {H4687} of the LORD {H3068}; though he wist {H3045} it not, yet is he guilty {H816}, and shall bear {H5375} his iniquity {H5771}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"If someone sins by doing something against any of the mitzvot of ADONAI concerning things which should not be done, he is guilty, even if he is unaware of it; and he bears the consequences of his wrongdoing.

Berean Standard Bible

If someone sins and violates any of the LORD’s commandments even though he was unaware, he is guilty and shall bear his punishment.

American Standard Version

And if any one sin, and do any of the things which Jehovah hath commanded not to be done; though he knew it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 5:17 establishes a profound principle within the Mosaic Law: an individual is held culpable and must bear the consequences of their transgression, even if the sin was committed unknowingly. This verse underscores the absolute nature of God's holiness and the comprehensive reach of His commandments, demanding atonement for all violations, regardless of human awareness or intent. It reveals that God's perfect standard operates independently of human perception, highlighting the pervasive reality of sin and the universal need for expiation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 5:17 concludes a significant section (chapters 4-5) detailing the laws concerning various sin offerings (*chatta'th*) and guilt offerings (*asham*) under the Old Covenant. Chapter 4 outlines specific unintentional sins committed by the anointed priest, the whole congregation, a leader, or a common person, each requiring a particular sin offering. Chapter 5 then elaborates on additional scenarios of unintentional sin, such as failing to testify as a witness, touching an unclean thing (whether a carcass of an unclean animal, unclean livestock, or unclean creeping things), or making a rash oath without realizing it at the time. Leviticus 5:17 serves as a broad, concluding principle that encompasses *any* of God's forbidden acts, extending the requirement for atonement beyond the specific cases previously mentioned to a general category of unknown transgressions. This verse thus functions as a comprehensive summary, ensuring that no unintentional violation of God's law goes unaddressed.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Within ancient Israel, the Mosaic Law established a covenant relationship between Yahweh and His people, demanding a high standard of ritual purity and moral conduct. The Tabernacle, and later the Temple, served as the dwelling place of God's holy presence, making the maintenance of purity within the community paramount. Sins, whether intentional or unintentional, were understood to defile both the individual and, by extension, the community and the sanctuary itself. The concept of "unintentional sin" (Hebrew: *sh'gaga*) was distinct from "presumptuous sin" (Hebrew: *yad ramah*), which involved deliberate defiance against God (as seen in [Numbers 15:30-31](/numbers/15-30 "Numbers 15:30-31 - Presumptuous Sin")). While presumptuous sin often carried the penalty of being "cut off" from the community, unintentional sin required a prescribed sacrifice to restore the individual's standing and cleanse the defilement. This system emphasized that God's law was an objective standard, not contingent on human knowledge, and that all infractions, even those committed in ignorance, disrupted the covenant relationship and required divine remedy through the sacrificial system.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Soul (נֶפֶשׁ, _nephesh_):** This Hebrew term refers to the individual person, the living being, emphasizing that personal accountability before God is central. It highlights that the responsibility for sin and the need for atonement rests squarely on the individual who commits the transgression, even if unknowingly.
* **Sin (חָטָא, _chata'_):** As a verb, *chata'* fundamentally means "to miss the mark," "to fall short," or "to go astray." In the context of unintentional sin, it underscores that the individual's action, though not maliciously intended, deviated from God's perfect standard. It's a failure to conform to the divine will, regardless of awareness.
* **Wist [it] not (לֹא יָדַע, _lo yada'_):** This phrase directly translates to "did not know" or "was not aware." It is the defining characteristic of the sin addressed in this verse, distinguishing it from deliberate or high-handed transgressions. The KJV's "wist" is an archaic form of "to know," clearly indicating ignorance of the specific violation.
* **Guilty (אָשֵׁם, _ashem_):** This verb signifies "to be guilty," "to incur guilt," or "to be held liable." Even without conscious knowledge of the sin, the individual's status before God is one of culpability. This term establishes the legal reality of the transgression, necessitating a response to address the incurred guilt.
* **Bear his iniquity (נָשָׂא עָוֹן, _nasa avon_):** This idiom means "to carry the burden of guilt," "to suffer the consequences of sin," or "to be held responsible for one's transgression." In the context of the Old Covenant, it implied that the individual was obligated to perform the prescribed sin or guilt offering to achieve expiation and remove the burden of their offense. It signifies the necessary reckoning for the sin committed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if a soul sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the LORD;":** This opening clause sets the condition, defining the scope of the transgression. It refers to an individual (a "soul") who violates any of the prohibitions explicitly laid out in God's law. The phrase "any of these things" makes the principle broadly applicable, encompassing all commandments, not just those previously specified in Leviticus 5.
* **"though he wist [it] not,":** This is the crucial qualifier, specifying the nature of the sin. The transgression was committed without the individual's conscious knowledge or awareness that they were violating a divine command. This distinguishes it from willful, defiant sin.
* **"yet is he guilty,":** Despite the lack of awareness, the consequence is clear: the individual is still legally culpable before God. Ignorance does not negate the fact of the transgression or its impact on one's standing with a holy God. The objective standard of God's law remains absolute.
* **"and shall bear his iniquity.":** This final phrase declares the necessary outcome. The individual must accept responsibility for the incurred guilt and its consequences. In the Old Covenant, this meant performing the required sacrificial ritual to atone for the sin and remove the burden of iniquity, thereby restoring their relationship with God and the community.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 5:17 primarily employs **Legal Formulation** and **Emphasis**. The verse is structured as a conditional legal statement, characteristic of the Mosaic Law, clearly outlining a scenario ("if a soul sin... though he wist it not") and its unavoidable consequence ("yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity"). This precise, declarative language leaves no room for ambiguity regarding accountability. The use of "any of these things" provides **Inclusivity**, broadening the scope of unintentional sin to cover all forbidden acts, not just those specifically itemized earlier in the chapter. This broadness, coupled with the stark declaration of guilt despite ignorance, serves as a powerful **Emphasis** on the absolute holiness of God and the pervasive nature of sin, even in its unperceived forms. The verse underscores that God's standard is not relative to human knowledge but is an objective, unchanging reality.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 5:17 profoundly reveals the comprehensive nature of sin and the absolute holiness of God, demonstrating that His perfect standard is not contingent on human awareness. It teaches that all transgressions, whether known or unknown, defile and incur guilt, necessitating atonement. This principle highlights the pervasive reach of sin, exposing humanity's inherent inability to perfectly uphold God's law, even unwittingly. It underscores the universal need for a perfect, comprehensive sacrifice that can cover all our shortcomings, both perceived and unperceived, before a perfectly righteous God.

* [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned and Fall Short of God's Glory")
* [Psalm 19:12](/psalms/19-12 "Psalm 19:12 - Who Can Discern His Errors?")
* [Hebrews 9:7](/hebrews/9-7 "Hebrews 9:7 - The High Priest's Annual Sacrifice for Sins of Ignorance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 5:17 serves as a humbling reminder of God's absolute holiness and the pervasive nature of sin, even in its most subtle and unrecognized forms. It challenges our modern tendency to equate guilt solely with conscious intent, revealing that our actions have objective consequences before God, regardless of our awareness. For believers today, this verse should cultivate a profound sense of humility and a deeper appreciation for God's grace. It encourages us to diligently study His Word, not just to avoid known sins, but to grow in our understanding of His will, thereby minimizing our "hidden faults." More importantly, it drives us to rely completely on the comprehensive and perfect work of Jesus Christ, whose sacrifice covers every sin, known and unknown, intentional and unintentional, providing a complete cleansing that we could never achieve through our own efforts or awareness. This truth offers immense comfort, assuring us that our standing before God is secured by Christ's perfection, not our imperfect knowledge or performance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Leviticus 5:17 challenge your understanding of personal accountability before God?**
* **In what ways might we unknowingly transgress God's commands today, and how does this verse deepen our appreciation for Christ's atonement?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a greater awareness of God's will and a more humble posture before His holy standards?**

### FAQ
**Does "unintentional sin" imply that God doesn't care about our intentions, only our actions?**

Answer: Not exactly. God certainly cares about our intentions, as evidenced by the distinction between unintentional sin (requiring a sin offering) and presumptuous, high-handed sin (which often carried more severe consequences, as seen in [Numbers 15:30-31](/numbers/15-30 "Numbers 15:30-31 - Presumptuous Sin")). However, Leviticus 5:17 underscores that God's law is an objective standard of holiness. A transgression, even if committed without knowledge or malicious intent, still defiles and disrupts the covenant relationship. The focus here is on the *objective reality* of the violation against God's perfect standard, not solely the subjective state of the human heart. The fact that atonement was required for unintentional sins highlights the pervasive nature of sin and the absolute necessity of cleansing to maintain purity and fellowship with a holy God.

**How does this Old Testament principle apply to Christians today, since we no longer offer animal sacrifices?**

Answer: Leviticus 5:17 provides a crucial backdrop for understanding the comprehensive nature of Christ's work on the cross. It reveals humanity's profound need for a perfect atonement that covers *all* sin, including those we are not even aware of. For Christians, this verse points directly to Jesus Christ as the ultimate and sufficient sacrifice. His death on the cross was a once-for-all atonement ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Sanctified Through Christ's Sacrifice")) that perfectly satisfied God's righteous demands for every sin—known, unknown, intentional, or unintentional. We are no longer required to offer animal sacrifices because Christ's blood provides a complete and eternal cleansing ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Eternal Redemption")). This truth deepens our appreciation for the magnitude of His grace and the sufficiency of His redemptive work, assuring us that even our "hidden faults" ([Psalm 19:12](/psalms/19-12 "Psalm 19:12 - Who Can Discern His Errors?")) are covered by His blood.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 5:17, with its stark declaration of guilt for even unknown transgressions, powerfully foreshadows the absolute necessity and comprehensive nature of Christ's atoning work. The Old Testament sacrificial system, including the provisions for unintentional sins, continually pointed to humanity's pervasive sinfulness and the unyielding demand of God's holiness for expiation. No human, however diligent, could ever perfectly discern or atone for every single transgression, known or unknown. This profound dilemma is perfectly resolved in Jesus Christ. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose single, perfect sacrifice on the cross covers the entirety of human sin. Unlike the Old Covenant high priest who entered the Most Holy Place annually with blood for the sins of the people, including their "sins of ignorance" ([Hebrews 9:7](/hebrews/9-7 "Hebrews 9:7 - The High Priest's Annual Sacrifice")), Christ entered once for all, securing eternal redemption ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Eternal Redemption")). He, who [knew no sin, became sin for us](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness"), bearing the full weight of our iniquity, including those hidden faults we are unaware of ([Psalm 19:12](/psalms/19-12 "Psalm 19:12 - Who Can Discern His Errors?")). Through faith in Him, we are not merely forgiven for our known transgressions but are declared righteous, fully cleansed from [all unrighteousness](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness"), standing blameless before a holy God, not by our awareness or efforts, but by His complete and perfect work.

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 4:27

¶ 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;

Leviticus 4:13

¶ 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;

Psalms 19:12

Who can understand [his] errors? cleanse thou me from secret [faults].

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:

Leviticus 4:4

And he shall bring the bullock unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD; and shall lay his hand upon the bullock's head, and kill the bullock before the LORD.

Leviticus 5:15

If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the LORD; then he shall bring for his trespass unto the LORD a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering:

Leviticus 4:22

¶ When a ruler hath sinned, and done [somewhat] through ignorance [against] any of the commandments of the LORD his God [concerning things] which should not be done, and is guilty;