Leviticus 19:21-22 · Bible study
Leviticus 19:21-22 Commentary: Atonement for the Guilty
Hebrew · 5 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why does the law prescribe a trespass offering for the man in a sexual sin case with a betrothed slave? Explore the provision of atonement and forgiveness.
Research Summary
- Meaning: God provides a prescribed way for a guilty man to receive atonement and forgiveness through a priestly sacrifice, while the woman’s penalty reflects her economic status.
- Key words: trespass offering (asham), make atonement (kaphar), forgiven (salach), before Yahweh (lipnei Yahweh).
- Main debate: Whether the different treatment is unjust or reflects compassionate accommodation to the woman’s circumstances.
- Theological theme: Sin requires substitutionary atonement, mediated by a priest, fulfilled in Christ.
- Best use: Understanding the need for sacrifice and forgiveness in the Old Covenant, and seeing its fulfillment in Jesus.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
21The man, however, must bring a ram to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting as his guilt offering to the LORD.
22The priest shall make atonement on his behalf before the LORD with the ram of the guilt offering for the sin he has committed, and he will be forgiven the sin he has committed.
WEB World English Bible 2000
21He shall bring his trespass offering to Yahweh, to the door of the Tent of Meeting, even a ram for a trespass offering.
22The priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering before Yahweh for his sin which he has committed; and the sin which he has committed shall be forgiven him.
KJV King James Version 1769
21And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the Lord, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, even a ram for a trespass offering.
22And the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering before the Lord for his sin which he hath done: and the sin which he hath done shall be forgiven him.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
21And he shall bring his trespass-offering unto Jehovah, unto the door of the tent of meeting, even a ram for a trespass-offering.
22And the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the trespass-offering before Jehovah for his sin which he hath sinned: and the sin which he hath sinned shall be forgiven him.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
21`And he hath brought in his guilt-offering to Jehovah, unto the opening of the tent of meeting, a ram for a guilt-offering,
22and the priest hath made atonement for him with the ram of the guilt-offering before Jehovah, for his sin which he hath sinned, and it hath been forgiven him because of his sin which he hath sinned.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
21And he shall bring his trespass-offering to Jehovah, unto the entrance of the tent of meeting, a ram for a trespass-offering.
22And the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the trespass-offering before Jehovah for his sin which he hath done; and the sin which he hath done shall be forgiven him.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
21And for his trespass he shall offer a ram to the Lord, at the door of the tabernacle of the testimony.
22And the priest shall pray for him: and for his sin before the Lord: and he shall have mercy on him, and the sin shall be forgiven.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Leviticus 19:21
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that these verses describe the required response when a man has sexual relations with a betrothed slave girl. Gill notes that the man must bring a ram as a trespass offering to the priest, who makes atonement before Yahweh, resulting in forgiveness. The ram was the usual animal for such offerings (Leviticus 5:15). The woman, being a bondmaid, was not required to bring an offering, her circumstances were considered, and scourging was sufficient. Matthew Henry frames this as part of the law's miscellaneous precepts governing everyday life. Across traditions, the pattern is clear: the sacrifice covers the guilt, and the priest's atoning work points forward to Christ's ultimate sacrifice. The forgiveness is real but conditional on the prescribed ritual.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Merciful accommodation view: Gill and others emphasize that the woman's economic status exempts her from the offering; the law shows compassion by not requiring what she cannot give.
- Unjust law critique: Some readers argue that the differential treatment reveals inherent injustice, as the woman receives a harsher physical punishment while the man's atonement is ritualized.
- Typological view: Christian commentators see the trespass offering as a type of Christ's sacrifice, with the priest representing Christ the mediator.
What is clear: God provides a means of atonement and forgiveness for the guilty party who brings the prescribed offering, and the ritual underscores the seriousness of sin and the need for sacrifice.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose of the trespass offering | The ram offered makes atonement for the man's sin, leading to forgiveness. It is a divinely appointed means of restoration. | Some traditions (e.g., Reformed) emphasize that the offering primarily points to Christ's perfect sacrifice. Others see it as a literal covering of guilt that operated within the old covenant system. |
| Treatment of the woman | The woman receives scourging instead of death because she is not free, and she does not bring an offering. Both parties are held accountable. | Some Christians interpret this as a merciful concession to her powerlessness, while others argue it reflects the patriarchal and class-based nature of ancient Israelite society, raising ethical questions. |
| Scope of forgiveness | The sin is forgiven through the prescribed ritual. Forgiveness is real and graciously given. | There is debate over whether the sin covered includes presumptuous or willful sin (Jarchi suggests yes) or only unintentional sin (as in Leviticus 5 for holy things). The text does not specify, so interpreters differ. |
| Typology and Christ | The sacrificial system foreshadows Christ's atonement, as noted by Gill and many Christian commentators. | Some see a direct type (the ram as Christ, the priest as Christ's ministry), while others view the system as a broader pattern of substitutionary sacrifice. |
Historical & Cultural Context
These verses belong to a longer section of laws (Leviticus 19) that apply the Ten Commandments to daily life. Verse 20 sets up the specific case: a man lies with a slave woman who is betrothed to another man but has not been ransomed or freed. In ancient Israel, betrothal was a binding legal step. A slave woman had limited rights; her master owned her, so she could not own property or bring an offering. The law prescribes that both parties are punished, but not with death because the woman was not free. The man, however, must bring a trespass offering to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting.
The tabernacle was the center of worship, where God's presence dwelt. Bringing the offering there signified that sin was ultimately against Yahweh, even when it involved another person. The trespass offering (Hebrew asham) was required for acts that violated another person's rights and incurred guilt before God. It involved a ram without defect, valued in silver. The priest then made atonement (kaphar), a word meaning to cover or ransom, pointing to the substitutionary nature of the sacrifice. The law made provision for those who could not bring an expensive animal, the woman's scourging served as her penalty. This system reflects a society where social status affected legal consequences, yet still provided a path to restoration for the guilty party.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for Leviticus 19:21-22. The Hebrew text is stable across manuscripts. The variations in surrounding verses (e.g., congregation omitted in some manuscripts of v.2) do not affect these two verses. The witnesses are consistent.
Reception History
Early Christian interpreters saw these verses as part of the Mosaic law that prepared for Christ. John Gill (18th century) typologically applied the trespass offering to the atoning sacrifice of Christ, noting that forgiveness comes through His blood. Matthew Henry (17th-18th century) included the verses in his commentary on Leviticus, reading them as practical precepts for daily life under the theocracy. The passage has often been cited in discussions on the morality of slavery and the differential treatment of women within the law. In modern times, it prompts reflection on how God's law adapted to a fallen social order while still pointing to redemption.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Sin demands a costly offering. The man must bring a ram, a valuable animal, showing that sexual sin is serious and requires sacrifice to restore relationship with God.
- Atonement is mediated by a priest. The priest stands between the sinner and God, pointing to our need for a mediator, fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
- Forgiveness is guaranteed when God’s provision is followed. The text repeats that the sin shall be forgiven, showing God’s willingness to pardon those who come through the appointed way.
Five-point outline
- The context of the law (v.20): A specific case of sexual sin with a betrothed slave, showing that every situation has a just response.
- The requirement for the man (v.21): He must bring a ram to the tabernacle door, acknowledging his guilt before Yahweh.
- The role of the priest (v.22a): The priest makes atonement with the ram, representing the sinner and applying the sacrifice.
- The scope of forgiveness (v.22b): The sin is forgiven; God does not hold back pardon when the prescribed remedy is applied.
- The limitation for the woman: She is scourged but not required to bring an offering, showing the law’s sensitivity to different circumstances.
Illustration hooks
- A person who damages a neighbor’s car but has insurance to cover the cost, yet still must take responsibility and go through the process.
- A child who breaks a rule and is told to apologize and do extra chores, while a younger sibling with less understanding receives a milder correction.
- An employee who makes a costly mistake at work and must offer to make it right, while a coworker with no resources is given a warning.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does God forgive sexual sin today, and if so, how?
- Why does the law seem unfair to the woman in this case?
- What does this passage teach us about the seriousness of sin and the cost of forgiveness?
Leading a Discussion
This passage shows how the Mosaic law addressed a difficult situation of sexual sin involving unequal social standing. It raises questions about justice, mercy, and the need for atonement. As you discuss, remember that this law operated in a specific historical context, but it also points forward to the complete forgiveness found in Christ.
Discussion questions
- Read Leviticus 19:20-22. What does this case reveal about how God views sexual sin?
- Why is the man required to bring a trespass offering while the woman is only scourged? What does this tell us about ancient social structures?
- What is the purpose of the priest making atonement? How does this foreshadow the work of Christ?
- In what ways does this law show both justice and mercy? Is there tension between them?
- How should Christians today understand Old Testament laws that apply differently to different people?
- What does the phrase “shall be forgiven him” teach us about God’s willingness to forgive?
- How can this passage help us approach our own sins with honesty and trust in God’s provision?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Leviticus 5:1 | “‘If anyone sins, in that he hears a public adjuration to testify, he being a witness, whether he has seen or known, if he doesn’t report it, then he shall bear his iniquity. |
| Leviticus 5:6 | and he shall bring his trespass offering to Yahweh for his sin which he has sinned: a female from the flock, a lamb or a goat, for a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin. |
| Leviticus 5:15 | “If anyone commits a trespass, and sins unwittingly regarding Yahweh’s holy things, then he shall bring his trespass offering to Yahweh: a ram without defect from the flock, according to your estimation in silver by shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering. |
| Leviticus 6:6 | He shall bring his trespass offering to Yahweh: a ram without defect from the flock, according to your estimation, for a trespass offering, to the priest. |
| Leviticus 6:7 | The priest shall make atonement for him before Yahweh, and he will be forgiven concerning whatever he does to become guilty.” |
| Leviticus 4:20 | He shall do this with the bull; as he did with the bull of the sin offering, so he shall do with this; and the priest shall make atonement for them, and they shall be forgiven. |
| Leviticus 4:26 | All its fat he shall burn on the altar, like the fat of the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin, and he will be forgiven. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
4 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible note observes that verses in this section are a collection of miscellaneous rules covering the ordinary circumstances of daily life. It specifically highlights the command to keep the sabbath and points to a parallel passage in Leviticus for comparison.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note emphasises that the trespass offering is a divinely prescribed procedure: the sinner brings a ram to the tabernacle door, the priest makes atonement with it before the Lord, and then pardon follows directly for the specific sin. The point is the orderly link between the sacrifice, priestly mediation, and forgiveness.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill highlights that only the man brings the trespass offering because the woman is a bondmaid who owns nothing; her master's property cannot be used. The ram's atonement typifies Christ's sacrifice, and forgiveness follows. Jarchi notes that the wording covers both ignorant and willful sin.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry reads the command against mixing kinds as a call to honor the order of creation. Because God made each creature after its kind, humans should not seek to combine what God separated. The prohibition targets the desire for unnatural mixtures, which he calls monsters.