And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which should not be done, and are guilty;

LEVITICUS 4:13KJV
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Leviticus 4:13 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 4:13 mean?

Leviticus 4:13 describes what should happen if the entire community of Israel unintentionally breaks one of God’s commandments, without realizing it at first, and later becomes aware of their guilt. The verse sets up the need for a specific response when a collective mistake is discovered, even if it was done unknowingly.

In the context of Leviticus, God is giving Moses instructions for the Israelites about offerings and atonement. This verse focuses on situations where the wrongdoing is not by an individual, but by the whole congregation (the people as a group), and the sin was committed “through ignorance”—meaning they did not know at the time that what they did was wrong. The verse highlights the seriousness of even unintentional sins and the need for the community to address them once they come to light.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 4:13

  • “Congregation” (עֵדָה, ʿēdāh): This word refers to the entire assembly or community of Israel, not just a few people. The instructions here are about a collective responsibility, not just individual actions.
  • “Ignorance” (שָׁגָה, shagah): This term means to go astray or make a mistake unintentionally. The verse is not about deliberate rebellion, but about errors made without awareness.
  • “Hid” (עָלַם, ʿālam): This word means something is concealed or not known. The wrongdoing was not obvious to the people at the time, emphasizing that even hidden or unnoticed sins matter.
  • “Guilty” (אָשַׁם, asham): This word means to bear guilt or be held responsible. Once the sin is discovered, the community is considered guilty and must respond accordingly.

Why Leviticus 4:13 matters

  • Leviticus 4:13 clarifies that unintentional sins by a whole community are still serious and require action, not just personal or deliberate sins.
  • The verse shows that God holds the entire group responsible, highlighting the idea of shared accountability in ancient Israel.
  • This instruction sets the stage for the following verses, which explain the specific steps the community must take to make things right, showing the importance of confession and atonement even for mistakes made in ignorance.

Where else these words appear

“ignorance” Hebrew H7686 · used in 19 verses

  • Numbers 15:22 And if ye have erred, and not observed all these commandments, which the LORD hath spoken unto Moses,
  • Psalms 119:10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
  • Proverbs 19:27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

“hid” Hebrew H5956 · used in 27 verses

  • Leviticus 5:2 Or if a soul touch any unclean thing, whether it be a carcase of an unclean beast, or a carcase of unclean cattle, or the carcase of unclean creeping things, and if it be hidden from him; he also shall be unclean, and guilty.
  • 1 Samuel 12:3 Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.
  • Psalms 55:1 To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

“guilty” Hebrew H816 · used in 32 verses

  • Leviticus 4:22 When a ruler hath sinned, and done somewhat through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD his God concerning things which should not be done, and is guilty;
  • Numbers 5:7 Then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof, and add unto it the fifth part thereof, and give it unto him against whom he hath trespassed.
  • Ezekiel 6:6 In all your dwellingplaces the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate; that your altars may be laid waste and made desolate, and your idols may be broken and cease, and your images may be cut down, and your works may be abolished.

“assembly” Hebrew H6951 · used in 116 verses

  • Genesis 28:3 And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;
  • 1 Kings 8:55 And he stood, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying,
  • Nehemiah 7:66 The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,