If 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:

LEVITICUS 5:15KJV
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Leviticus 5:15 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 5:15 mean?

Leviticus 5:15 describes what someone in ancient Israel should do if they accidentally misuse or disrespect something that belongs to God, called “the holy things of the LORD.” The person must bring a flawless ram from their flock as a “trespass offering,” along with a payment in silver, to make things right with God.

In this verse, God is giving instructions through Moses to the Israelites about what to do when someone sins unintentionally concerning sacred items or offerings. The focus is on mistakes made “through ignorance,” not deliberate wrongdoing. The process involves both a specific animal sacrifice and a monetary value, showing that even unintentional offenses against God’s holy things are taken seriously and require restitution.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 5:15

  • “Soul” (נֶפֶשׁ, nephesh): This word often means a person or individual, not just a spiritual part, so the instruction applies to anyone among the people.
  • “Trespass” (מַעַל, ma‘al): This term points to a breach of trust or faithfulness, especially regarding things set apart for God, highlighting the seriousness of even accidental misuse.
  • “Ignorance” (שְׁגָגָה, shegagah): This word means an unintentional mistake or error, clarifying that the command is about sins done without knowing, not willful disobedience.
  • “Holy things” (קֹדֶשׁ, qodesh): This refers to items or offerings dedicated to God, such as parts of sacrifices or temple property, emphasizing the special status of these things.

Why Leviticus 5:15 matters

  • Leviticus 5:15 shows that even unintentional mistakes involving God’s sacred things are taken seriously and require a specific process to restore the relationship.
  • The verse clarifies that ignorance does not remove responsibility; people are still accountable for their actions, even if they did not mean to do wrong.
  • This instruction fits into a larger section about different types of offerings, helping readers understand the careful structure of worship and responsibility in ancient Israel.

Where else these words appear

“ignorance” 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.

“trespass” Hebrew H4604 · used in 29 verses

  • Leviticus 6:2 If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour;
  • Joshua 22:22 The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression against the LORD,(save us not this day,)
  • Ezra 9:4 Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until the evening sacrifice.

“estimation” Hebrew H6187 · used in 29 verses

  • Exodus 40:4 And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof.
  • Leviticus 27:7 And if it be from sixty years old and above; if it be a male, then thy estimation shall be fifteen shekels, and for the female ten shekels.
  • Leviticus 27:23 Then the priest shall reckon unto him the worth of thy estimation, even unto the year of the jubile: and he shall give thine estimation in that day, as a holy thing unto the LORD.

“commit” Hebrew H4603 · used in 35 verses

  • Leviticus 6:2 If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour;
  • 1 Chronicles 5:25 And they transgressed against the God of their fathers, and went a whoring after the gods of the people of the land, whom God destroyed before them.
  • Ezra 10:10 And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel.