Leviticus 5:16 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 5:16 mean?

Leviticus 5:16 explains that if someone has wronged or misused something holy to God, they must pay back what was lost or damaged, add an extra fifth to it, and give it to the priest. The priest will then offer a ram as a special sacrifice, and the person’s wrongdoing will be forgiven.

This verse is part of God’s instructions to Moses for the Israelites about what to do when someone unintentionally sins against sacred things, such as offerings or items set apart for worship. The process involves both making restitution to set things right and a ritual act (the ram sacrifice) to restore the relationship with God. The focus is on responsibility, restoring what was lost, and the role of the priest in helping the person receive forgiveness.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 5:16

• "Amends" (שָׁלַם, shalam): This word means to make whole or restore. It emphasizes that the person must fully repair the harm done, not just apologize.
• "Harm" (חָטָא, chata’): This word often means to miss the mark or to sin. Here, it highlights that the wrongdoing is seen as a real offense, even if unintentional.
• "Thing" (קֹדֶשׁ, qodesh): This refers to something holy or set apart for God, reminding the reader that the offense is not just against property, but against something sacred.
• "Add" (יָסַף, yasaf) and "part" (חֲמִשִּׁית, chamishit): These words show that the person must add a fifth (20%) to what was lost, making the repayment more than just even, possibly to show true regret and responsibility.
• "Atonement" (כָּפַר, kaphar): This word means to cover or make reconciliation. It points to the priest’s role in helping the person be restored to good standing with God.

Why Leviticus 5:16 matters

• Leviticus 5:16 clarifies that making things right with God involves both practical restitution and a spiritual process, not just one or the other.
• The verse shows that even unintentional mistakes involving holy things are taken seriously and require action to repair.
• This instruction connects to the broader theme in Leviticus of holiness and the importance of respecting what belongs to God, as well as the priest’s role as a mediator for the people.