Leviticus 5:14-19 · Bible study
Leviticus 5:14-19 Commentary: The Trespass Offering and Restitution
Hebrew · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
What distinguishes a trespass (מעל) from other sins?
Research Summary
- Meaning: This passage distinguishes the trespass offering for acts of unfaithfulness (מעל) against holy things, requiring a ram and restitution plus a fifth.
- Key words: ma’al (unfaithfulness), ’asham (guilt/guilt offering), shgagah (inadvertence), qodesh (holy things).
- Main debate: Whether the second case (vv. 17, 19) is restricted to holy things or covers any inadvertent violation of a commandment.
- Theological theme: Sin creates a real debt before God, and forgiveness is linked to both atonement and restoration of what was wrongfully taken.
- Best use: Teaching the seriousness of unintentional sin, God’s provision for making things right, and the link between worship and practical restitution.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
14Then the LORD said to Moses,
15“If someone acts unfaithfully and sins unintentionally against any of the LORD’s holy things, he must bring his guilt offering to the LORD: an unblemished ram from the flock, of proper value in silver shekels according to the sanctuary shekel; it is a guilt offering.
16Regarding any holy thing he has harmed, he must make restitution by adding a fifth of its value to it and giving it to the priest, who will make atonement on his behalf with the ram as a guilt offering, and he will be forgiven.
17If someone sins and violates any of the LORD’s commandments even though he was unaware, he is guilty and shall bear his punishment.
18He is to bring to the priest an unblemished ram of proper value from the flock as a guilt offering. Then the priest will make atonement on his behalf for the wrong he has committed in ignorance, and he will be forgiven.
19It is a guilt offering; he was certainly guilty before the LORD.”
WEB World English Bible 2000
14Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
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.
16He shall make restitution for that which he has done wrong regarding the holy thing, and shall add a fifth part to it, and give it to the priest; and the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering, and he will be forgiven.
17“If anyone sins, doing any of the things which Yahweh has commanded not to be done, though he didn’t know it, he is still guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.
18He shall bring a ram without defect from of the flock, according to your estimation, for a trespass offering, to the priest; and the priest shall make atonement for him concerning the thing in which he sinned and didn’t know it, and he will be forgiven.
19It is a trespass offering. He is certainly guilty before Yahweh.”
KJV King James Version 1769
14And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
15If 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:
16And 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.
17And 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.
18And he shall bring a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest: and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his ignorance wherein he erred and wist it not, and it shall be forgiven him.
19It is a trespass offering: he hath certainly trespassed against the Lord.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
14And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,
15If any one commit a trespass, and sin unwittingly, in the holy things of Jehovah; then he shall bring his trespass-offering unto Jehovah, a ram without blemish out of the flock, according to thy estimation in silver by shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass-offering:
16and he shall make restitution for that which he hath done amiss in the holy thing, and shall add the fifth part thereto, and give it unto the priest; and the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the trespass-offering, and he shall be forgiven.
17And 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.
18And he shall bring a ram without blemish out of the flock, according to thy estimation, for a trespass-offering, unto the priest; and the priest shall make atonement for him concerning the thing wherein he erred unwittingly and knew it not, and he shall be forgiven.
19It is a trespass-offering: he is certainly guilty before Jehovah.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
14And Jehovah speaketh unto Moses, saying,
15`When a person committeth a trespass, and hath sinned through ignorance against the holy things of Jehovah, then he hath brought in his guilt-offering to Jehovah, a ram, a perfect one, out of the flock, at thy valuation in silver--shekels by the shekel of the sanctuary--for a guilt-offering.
16`And that which he hath sinned against the holy thing he repayeth, and its fifth is adding to it, and hath given it to the priest, and the priest maketh atonement for him with the ram of the guilt-offering, and it hath been forgiven him.
17`And when any person sinneth, and hath done something against one of all the commands of Jehovah regarding things which are not to be done, and hath not known, and he hath been guilty, and hath borne his iniquity,
18`Then he hath brought in a ram, a perfect one, out of the flock, at thy valuation, for a guilt-offering, unto the priest; and the priest hath made atonement for him, for his ignorance in which he hath erred and he hath not known, and it hath been forgiven him;
19it is a guilt-offering; he hath been certainly guilty before Jehovah.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
14And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying,
15If any one act unfaithfully and sin through inadvertence in the holy things of Jehovah, then he shall bring his trespass-offering to Jehovah, a ram without blemish out of the small cattle, according to thy valuation by shekels of silver, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass-offering.
16And he shall make restitution for the wrong that he hath done in the holy things, and shall add the fifth part thereto, and shall give it unto the priest; and the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the trespass-offering, and it shall be forgiven him.
17And if any one sin and do against any of all the commandments of Jehovah what should not be done, and hath not known [it], yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.
18And he shall bring a ram without blemish out of the small cattle, according to thy valuation, as trespass-offering, unto the priest; and the priest shall make atonement for him concerning his inadvertence wherein he sinned inadvertently, and knew [it] not, and it shall be forgiven him.
19It is a trespass-offering: he hath certainly trespassed against Jehovah.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
14And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
15If any one shall sin through mistake, transgressing the ceremonies in those things that are sacrificed to the Lord, he shall offer for his offence a ram without blemish out of the flocks, that may be bought for two sicles, according to the weight of the sanctuary.
16And he shall make good the damage itself which he hath done, and shall add the fifth part besides, delivering it to the priest, who shall pray for him, offering the ram: and it shall be forgiven him.
17If any one sin through ignorance, and do one of those things which by the law of the Lord are forbidden, and being guilty of sin, understand his iniquity:
18He shall offer of the flocks a ram without blemish to the priest, according to the measure and estimation of the sin. And the priest shall pray for him, because he did it ignorantly: And it shall be forgiven him,
19Because by mistake he trespassed against the Lord.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Leviticus 5:14
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that this passage introduces the trespass offering (’asham) as a distinct category from the sin offering (chattat). The Hebrew verb here is not the general word for 'sin' (chata) but a different root: ma’al, meaning 'to act unfaithfully' or 'to deal deceitfully' (Cambridge, Barnes). This unfaithfulness specifically concerns 'Yahweh’s holy things', tithes, firstfruits, vows, and other dues owed to the sanctuary (Clarke, Gill, Calvin). Even when committed inadvertently through ignorance or forgetfulness, the person remains guilty and must bring a ram without defect, plus restitution of the full value of the harm plus one-fifth. The second case (vv. 17, 19) extends the principle: if someone violates any of Yahweh’s commandments without knowing it, he is still guilty and must bring the same offering. Both cases underline a key point: sin against God is an objective debt, not merely a subjective feeling. The offering with restitution restores what was wrongfully withheld and secures forgiveness.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Holy things only: Both cases concern withholding or wronging sacred property (Clarke, Gill, JFB). The second case extends to any sin against the Lord’s commands in ignorance, but still within the sphere of holy things.
- Two distinct categories: The first case explicitly refers to holy things; the second (vv. 17–19) uses the same formula as Leviticus 4:2 for any unwitting violation of a negative commandment (Keil, Cambridge).
What is clear: A trespass committed even ignorantly against the Lord’s rights requires a ram as a guilt offering and results in forgiveness when atonement is made.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Scope of the trespass offering | It addresses sins involving unfaithfulness (מעל) against the Lord, especially regarding holy things such as tithes and offerings. | Some commentators (Gill, Jamieson-Fausset-Brown) hold that both cases in this passage concern holy things; others (Keil, Cambridge) see the second case as covering any command broken in ignorance, not necessarily tied to sacred property. |
| Reason for a ram instead of a female animal | The ram is more valuable, reflecting the gravity of trespassing against God’s own property or rights. | Calvin argues the ram indicates a heavier offense than ordinary sins; Barnes notes that the trespass offering always requires a ram, regardless of the worshipper’s status. |
| Role of ignorance in guilt | Ignorance does not remove objective guilt; the person must still bring the offering and make restitution. | Some traditions (Reformed, via Calvin) emphasize that the law aims to cultivate awareness of sin; others (Wesleyan, via Clarke) stress the comfort that even unknown sins can be atoned for. |
| Restitution plus one-fifth | Restitution of the full value plus an additional fifth is required for the first case. | Whether the second case (vv. 17, 19) also requires restitution is not explicitly stated; some (Gill) infer it from the similar wording, while others leave it as an open question. |
Historical & Cultural Context
This passage sits within the larger priestly instruction on sacrifices delivered at Sinai (Leviticus 1, 7). The 'holy things of the Lord' refer to the tithes, firstfruits, redemption payments, and other material dues that supported the sanctuary and its priests (see Numbers 18:8, 32). The 'shekel of the sanctuary' was a standardized weight used in the tabernacle, about 11.5 grams of silver (Exodus 30:13). Using any other standard would defraud the sacred treasury.
The Hebrew root ma’al (מעל) appears elsewhere for marital unfaithfulness (Numbers 5:12) and for Achan’s violation of the devoted things (Joshua 7:1). It carries the sense of a trust betrayed. That same word is used here for an Israelite who unwittingly withholds what belongs to God. The required ram, more valuable than the female animal used in many sin offerings, signals that defrauding the Lord carries heavier consequences.
Restitution with an added fifth (20%) mirrors civil law for theft (Leviticus 6:1, 5). Even though the sin was unintentional, the damage remains real and must be repaired. This taught Israel that holiness involved not just correct rituals but also righting material wrongs. The second case (vv. 17, 19) broadens the principle to any of the Lord’s commands violated in ignorance; the person ‘bears his iniquity’ (nasa avon), he carries the liability until atonement and restoration are completed. The promise of forgiveness (v. 18) paces that the system is ultimately gracious: God provides a way back.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for this passage. The Hebrew text of Leviticus 5:14, 19 is stable across the major manuscripts.
Reception History
Early Christian interpreters connected the guilt offering (’asham) to Christ, reading Isaiah 53:10 (‘make his life a guilt offering’) as a typological fulfilment. The church fathers saw the ram as prefiguring the Lamb of God who makes atonement for sins, including those committed in ignorance. In the medieval period, this passage contributed to penitential theology, where restitution and satisfaction were required alongside confession. Reformers such as Calvin emphasized that ignorance does not excuse sin but that God graciously provides a way of forgiveness through sacrifice. In modern scholarship, the passage is studied within the priestly legal corpus, highlighting the distinction between sin and guilt offerings and the role of restitution in maintaining covenant holiness.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Unfaithfulness to God is a debt, not just a mistake. The verb ma’al highlights a breach of trust. Even when done unknowingly, it creates an objective obligation that must be repaid.
- Ignorance does not cancel guilt. Verses 15 and 17 both stress that the offender did not know, yet is still guilty. Knowledge affects responsibility but does not erase the reality of the sin.
- Restitution and atonement work together. The ram provides atonement; the repayment plus one-fifth restores what was lost. God cares about both our relationship and our actions.
Five-point outline
- The nature of the trespass. Not just any sin, but an act of unfaithfulness (ma’al) against the Lord’s holy things.
- What we owe God. Tithes, firstfruits, vows, and other dedicated gifts. We can defraud Him by neglect or carelessness.
- The cost of the offering. A ram without defect, the most expensive animal required here, signals the seriousness of the breach.
- The restoration required. Full restitution plus one-fifth. Making things right is part of receiving forgiveness.
- The promise of forgiveness. The priest makes atonement, and the sinner is forgiven. God opens a way back for those who come.
Illustration hooks
- Imagine accidentally taking office supplies home, then later realizing they belong to your employer. The honest response is to return them or pay their value, even if no one knows. That impulse echoes this passage.
- A person discovers they underpaid taxes for years out of confusion. When they find out, they feel guilty and want to make it right. The trespass offering addresses that same sense of liability for an unintentional wrong.
- Think of a friend you unintentionally hurt with a careless comment. The relationship feels strained until you acknowledge the harm and apologize. Restitution for holy things works on a similar principle, but with God.
Questions your congregation is asking
- “If I sin without realizing it, am I still guilty before God?”
- “Do I need to make things right even after confessing, or is forgiveness enough?”
- “What ‘holy things’ might I be carelessly withholding from God today?”
Leading a Discussion
This passage introduces the trespass offering, a distinct sacrifice for sins involving unfaithfulness toward God’s holy things. As you work through the text together, notice how the law addresses not just the act but its consequences, even when the sinner was unaware of the wrong. The goal of this discussion is to grasp the seriousness of our obligations to God and the gracious provision He makes for restoration.
Discussion questions
- Observation: According to verse 15, what kind of sin triggers the trespass offering? What specific words are used?
- Observation: What does the offender have to bring? What does he have to do beyond the offering itself (vv. 15, 16)?
- Interpretation: The Hebrew verb ma’al means “to act unfaithfully” or “to deal deceitfully.” Why does the law use this word for a sin committed unwittingly?
- Interpretation: In verses 17, 19, the person sins against “any of the commandments” and did not know it. How does this case differ from the first one? Why is the same offering required?
- Interpretation: The ram is described as “without defect” and valued by the priest. What does this detail teach about the kind of offering God expects?
- Application: Restitution plus one-fifth is a concrete penalty. What might this principle look like in our own lives when we discover we have wronged someone, or God?
- Application: The passage ends with “he shall be forgiven.” Does that surprise you after all the requirements? What does it say about God’s character?
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)
| Exodus 30:13 | They shall give this, everyone who passes over to those who are counted, half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel is twenty gerahs); half a shekel for an offering to Yahweh. |
| Leviticus 4:2 | “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘If anyone sins unintentionally, in any of the things which Yahweh has commanded not to be done, and does any one of them, |
| 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 5:2 | “‘Or if anyone touches any unclean thing, whether it is the carcass of an unclean animal, or the carcass of unclean livestock, or the carcass of unclean creeping things, and it is hidden from him, and he is unclean, then he shall be guilty. |
| 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 7:1 | “‘This is the law of the trespass offering: It is most holy. |
| Leviticus 7:6 | Every male among the priests may eat of it. It shall be eaten in a holy place. It is most holy. |
| Leviticus 10:17 | “Why haven’t you eaten the sin offering in the place of the sanctuary, since it is most holy, and he has given it to you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before Yahweh? |
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
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What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke focuses on sins committed in holy things, such as withholding tithes or firstfruits, which require full restitution plus a fifth and a sin offering. He then counters the idea that such sinfulness is unavoidable or even useful for humility, insisting that Christ came to destroy sin, not excuse it. A true sense of God's kindness, not sin, keeps the soul humble.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes distinguishes the trespass-offering from the ordinary sin-offering by five features: it involved property injury to someone, required a fine of the loss plus one-fifth, used simpler blood rites, demanded a ram rather than a female animal, and allowed no graded offering. Ignorance of the law did not excuse the obligation to sacrifice.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator distinguishes the guilt-offering for cases where a person fears they have broken a command but cannot specify the offence. Unlike the sin-offering for conscious sins, this voluntary offering required no restitution, since the precise wrong was unknown. The Jews called it a "suspended guilt-offering," meant to relieve a troubled conscience.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes emphasize that ignorance does not excuse sin against holy things. Even when the offense is unintentional or the person is unaware, they still bear guilt and must bring a ram plus restore what was taken and add a fifth. Atonement is required before forgiveness is granted.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill highlights that trespass in holy things, even if done unknowingly, required a costlier offering than ordinary sins. The ram from the flock, valued at two shekels, together with full restitution plus a fifth, shows the seriousness of sacrilege and points to Christ, the pure and chosen sacrifice.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB sees these laws as designed to impress the conscience with responsibility to God, instilling a salutary fear of hidden sin. They cover both actual ignorance in failing to pay holy dues and doubtful cases where conscience suspects a possible offense. The required ram and restitution kept awareness of secret wrongdoing alive.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch identifies three distinct trespass-offering cases: defrauding God of holy gifts, unwittingly violating His commands, and defrauding a neighbour. The last required full restitution plus a fifth of the value, while the second demanded no material compensation. The ram’s value, deliberately left indefinite, was to match the severity of the trespass.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry draws a clear line between sin-offerings and trespass-offerings here. These verses address the specific case where a person caused harm to something set apart for the Lord, which amounted to a wrong against the priests who cared for those holy things. A ram and repayment with a fifth added were required.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley highlights the distinction between unintentional and deliberate sins concerning consecrated things. Ignorant misuse of tithes or devoted items demands a costly ram and restitution assessed by the priest, while knowing violation brings excommunication. He sees this as a unique law for holy things, not