Leviticus 6:2

If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour;

If a soul {H5315} sin {H2398}, and commit {H4603} a trespass {H4604} against the LORD {H3068}, and lie {H3584} unto his neighbour {H5997} in that which was delivered {H6487} him to keep, or in fellowship {H8667}{H3027}, or in a thing taken away by violence {H1498}, or hath deceived {H6231} his neighbour {H5997};

"If someone sins and acts perversely against ADONAI by dealing falsely with his neighbor in regard to a deposit or security entrusted to him, by stealing from him, by extorting him,

β€œIf someone sins and acts unfaithfully against the LORD by deceiving his neighbor in regard to a deposit or security entrusted to him or stolen, or if he extorts his neighbor

If any one sin, and commit a trespass against Jehovah, and deal falsely with his neighbor in a matter of deposit, or of bargain, or of robbery, or have oppressed his neighbor,

Commentary

Leviticus 6:2 outlines specific scenarios where an individual commits a "trespass" against the Lord by acting dishonestly or deceitfully towards a neighbor. This verse is part of the detailed instructions for the trespass offering, emphasizing that offenses against fellow humans are also offenses against God, requiring atonement and restitution.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is situated within the sacrificial laws given to Moses for ancient Israel, specifically dealing with cases where someone has wronged another person, often involving property or trust, and has then compounded the sin by lying about it. The Mosaic Law stipulated various offerings, and the trespass offering (or guilt offering) was unique in its focus on reparation and making amends for specific transgressions that involved defrauding or deceiving someone. It underscores the high value placed on integrity and truthfulness within the community of God's people.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Sin and Trespass: The verse highlights that certain actions against a neighbor, like lying or deception, are not merely social infractions but are considered a "trespass against the LORD." This connects human relationships directly to one's spiritual standing.
  • Deception and Dishonesty: It lists several forms of deceit:
    • Lying about something entrusted for safekeeping.
    • Dishonesty in a "fellowship" or partnership.
    • Denying involvement in something "taken away by violence" (robbery or extortion).
    • General deception of one's neighbor.
  • Accountability and Restitution: While this verse details the sin, the subsequent verses in Leviticus 6 (e.g., Leviticus 6:5) mandate restitution plus a fifth part, underscoring the principle that wrongdoing requires not only repentance but also practical steps to right the wrong.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "trespass" here is ma'al (מגל), which denotes an act of unfaithfulness or perfidy, often involving a breach of trust, particularly against God, but manifested in actions against others. It signifies a betrayal or a violation of sacred trust. The word "lie" comes from kachash (Χ›Χ—Χ©), meaning to deny, deceive, or act falsely, emphasizing the intentional nature of the dishonesty.

Practical Application

Leviticus 6:2 remains profoundly relevant today, reminding us that integrity and honesty are fundamental to our walk with God and our relationships with others. It teaches that our actions towards our neighbor have spiritual implications. This verse calls believers to:

  • Value Truthfulness: Be scrupulously honest in all dealings, whether in personal relationships, business, or matters of trust.
  • Take Responsibility: Acknowledge wrongdoing and be prepared to make amends for any harm caused, recognizing that such actions are not just against individuals but also against God.
  • Seek Reconciliation: Just as the Old Testament law provided a path for reconciliation through the trespass offering and restitution, the New Testament emphasizes the importance of seeking reconciliation with those we have wronged before offering our worship to God.
This ancient law underscores a timeless principle: genuine faith is demonstrated through righteous and honest conduct in our daily lives.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Colossians 3:9

    Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

  • Proverbs 24:28

    ΒΆ Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive [not] with thy lips.

  • 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 19:11

    ΒΆ Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.

  • Exodus 22:7

    ΒΆ If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house; if the thief be found, let him pay double.

  • Exodus 22:10

    If a man deliver unto his neighbour an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing [it]:

  • Acts 5:4

    Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
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