15 If a soul H5315 commit H4603 a trespass, H4604 and sin H2398 through ignorance, H7684 in the holy things H6944 of the LORD; H3068 then he shall bring H935 for his trespass H817 unto the LORD H3068 a ram H352 without blemish H8549 out of the flocks, H6629 with thy estimation H6187 by shekels H8255 of silver, H3701 after the shekel H8255 of the sanctuary, H6944 for a trespass offering: H817
16 And he shall make amends H7999 for the harm H2398 that he hath done in the holy thing, H6944 and shall add H3254 the fifth part H2549 thereto, and give H5414 it unto the priest: H3548 and the priest H3548 shall make an atonement H3722 for him with the ram H352 of the trespass offering, H817 and it shall be forgiven H5545 him.
17 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
18 And he shall bring H935 a ram H352 without blemish H8549 out of the flock, H6629 with thy estimation, H6187 for a trespass offering, H817 unto the priest: H3548 and the priest H3548 shall make an atonement H3722 for him concerning his ignorance H7684 wherein he erred H7683 and wist H3045 it not, and it shall be forgiven H5545 him.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Leviticus 5
Commentary on Leviticus 5 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 5
This chapter, and part of the next, concern the trespass-offering. The difference between this and the sin-offering lay not so much in the sacrifices themselves, and the management of them, as in the occasions of the offering of them. They were both intended to make atonement for sin; but the former was more general, this applied to some particular instances. Observe what is here said,
Lev 5:1-6
Lev 5:7-13
Provision is here made for the poor of God's people, and the pacifying of their consciences under the sense of guilt. Those that were not able to bring a lamb might bring for a sin-offering a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons; nay, if any were so extremely poor that they were not able to procure these so often as they would have occasion, they might bring a pottle of fine flour, and this should be accepted. Thus the expense of the sin-offering was brought lower than that of any other offering, to teach us that no man's poverty shall ever be a bar in the way of his pardon. The poorest of all may have atonement made for them, if it be not their own fault. Thus the poor are evangelized; and no man shall say that he had not wherewithal to bear the charges of a journey to heaven. Now,
Lev 5:14-19
Hitherto in this chapter orders were given concerning those sacrifices that were both sin-offerings and trespass-offerings, for they go by both names, v. 6. Here we have the law concerning those that were properly and peculiarly trespass-offerings, which were offered to atone for trespasses done against a neighbour, those sins we commonly call trespasses. Now injuries done to another may be either in holy things or in common things; of the former we have the law in these verses; of the latter in the beginning of the next chapter. If a man did harm (as it is v. 16) in the holy things of the Lord, he thereby committed a trespass against the priests, the Lord's ministers, who were entrusted with the care of these holy things, and had the benefit of them. Now if a man did alienate or convert to his own use any thing that was dedicated to God, unwittingly, he was to bring this sacrifice; as suppose he had ignorantly made use of the tithes, or first-fruits, or first-born of his cattle, or (which, it should seem by ch. 22:14-16, is principally meant here) had eaten any of those parts of the sacrifices which were appropriated to the priests; this was a trespass. It is supposed to be done through mistake, or forgetfulness, for want either of care or zeal; for if it was done presumptuously, and in contempt of the law, the offender died without mercy, Heb. 10:28. But in case of negligence and ignorance this sacrifice was appointed; and Moses is told,