And the priest shall make an atonement for him as touching his sin that he hath sinned in one of these, and it shall be forgiven him: and the remnant shall be the priest's, as a meat offering.
LEVITICUS 5:13KJVWhat does Leviticus 5:13 mean?
Leviticus 5:13 explains that when a person brings a specific offering for sin, the priest will perform a ritual to make atonement, and the person’s sin will be forgiven. The leftover part of the offering, after the ritual, belongs to the priest just like the grain offering.
In this verse, God is instructing Moses about what should happen when someone has sinned in certain ways and brings an offering as required by the law. The priest acts as a mediator, carrying out the ritual with the offering so that the person’s wrongdoing is dealt with according to God’s instructions. The verse also notes that the priest receives a portion of the offering, which was part of how priests were provided for in ancient Israel.
The Hebrew behind Leviticus 5:13
- priest (כֹּהֵן, kohen): The word refers to the official religious leader who performs the ritual. The priest’s role is central, as he is the one who acts on behalf of the person seeking forgiveness.
- atonement (כָּפַר, kaphar): This word means to cover over or make reconciliation. Here, it points to the priest’s action that addresses the sin and restores the relationship between the person and God.
- sin (חַטָּאָה, chatta’ah) / sinned (חָטָא, chata): These words refer to wrongdoing or missing the mark. The verse is about specific sins that require this kind of offering.
- forgiven (סָלַח, salach): This word means to be pardoned or released from guilt. The verse assures that after the ritual, the person’s sin is truly forgiven.
Why Leviticus 5:13 matters
- Leviticus 5:13 clarifies that forgiveness in ancient Israel involved both a ritual action and a priestly role, not just a private feeling or intention.
- The verse shows that God provided a clear, practical way for people to deal with their sins and be restored to the community.
- By stating that the leftover offering belongs to the priest, the verse connects the spiritual act of atonement with the everyday needs of those serving in the sanctuary, highlighting the practical side of Israel’s worship system.