And if a man eat of the holy thing unwittingly, then he shall put the fifth part thereof unto it, and shall give it unto the priest with the holy thing.

LEVITICUS 22:14KJV
Know the Bible

Leviticus 22:14 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 22:14 mean?

Leviticus 22:14 says that if someone accidentally eats a portion of food that was set apart as holy, that person must pay back the amount eaten plus an extra fifth, giving it all to the priest along with the original holy portion. This rule is about making restitution for unintentionally using something meant for God’s service.

In Leviticus, God is giving instructions to Moses for the Israelites, especially about how to treat things that are set apart as holy, like offerings for the priests. This verse addresses what happens if someone eats these offerings by mistake, showing that even unintentional actions require making things right. The extra payment (a fifth more) emphasizes the seriousness of respecting what belongs to God.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 22:14

  • "Unwittingly" (בִּשְׁגָגָה, bishgagah) means by mistake or unintentionally. This word shows that the verse is not about deliberate wrongdoing, but about accidents or ignorance.
  • "Fifth" (חֲמִשִּׁת, chamishit) refers to adding 20% more to the value of what was taken. This extra amount underlines the importance of honoring holy things and making full restitution.
  • "Holy thing" (קֹדֶשׁ, qodesh) is the food or offering set apart for God and the priests. The use of this word highlights that these items were not ordinary, but had a special, sacred purpose.

Why Leviticus 22:14 matters

  • Leviticus 22:14 clarifies that even accidental mistakes involving sacred things have consequences and require restitution, not just intentional sins.
  • The verse shows the seriousness with which God’s people were to treat what was set apart for Him, reinforcing respect for holy things.
  • This instruction fits into a larger section about maintaining the purity and order of worship in Israel, helping the community understand the boundaries around what is holy.

Where else these words appear

“unwittingly” Hebrew H7684 · used in 18 verses

  • 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:
  • Numbers 15:24 Then it shall be, if ought be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour unto the LORD, with his meat offering, and his drink offering, according to the manner, and one kid of the goats for a sin offering.
  • Numbers 35:11 Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares.

“fifth” Hebrew H2549 · used in 44 verses

  • Genesis 1:23 And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
  • Numbers 33:38 And Aaron the priest went up into mount Hor at the commandment of the LORD, and died there, in the fortieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the first day of the fifth month.
  • 1 Chronicles 26:4 Moreover the sons of Obededom were, Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethaneel the fifth,