Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein:

LEVITICUS 6:3KJV
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Leviticus 6:3 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 6:3 mean?

Leviticus 6:3 describes a situation where someone finds something that was lost but then lies about it and swears falsely, committing a sin by doing so. The verse highlights that dishonesty and false oaths about lost property are considered sinful actions.

In this verse, God is giving instructions to Moses for the Israelites about handling cases of dishonesty, especially regarding lost property. The focus is on personal responsibility and truthfulness in everyday dealings, making it clear that even seemingly small acts of deceit—like lying about lost and found items—are serious in God’s eyes.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 6:3

  • "found" (מָצָא, matsa): This word means to come upon or discover something. Here, it refers to someone finding something that does not belong to them.
  • "lieth" (כָּחַשׁ, kachash): This word means to lie or deny. It emphasizes that the person is not just keeping the item but actively deceiving others about it.
  • "sweareth" (שָׁבַע, shava): This word means to swear or take an oath. The verse points out that the person is making a false oath, which adds seriousness to the act.
  • "falsely" (שֶׁקֶר, sheqer): This word means falsehood or deception. It underscores that the oath is not just mistaken but deliberately untrue.

Why Leviticus 6:3 matters

  • Leviticus 6:3 clarifies that sin is not limited to obvious crimes like theft, but includes dishonesty and false promises, even in everyday matters.
  • The verse shows that God’s law cares about truthfulness and integrity in personal relationships, not just ritual or ceremonial purity.
  • This instruction connects to the wider passage by setting up the need for restitution and confession, which are explained in the following verses.

Where else these words appear

“lost” Hebrew H9 · used in 4 verses

  • Exodus 22:9 For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour.
  • Leviticus 6:4 Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found,
  • Deuteronomy 22:3 In like manner shalt thou do with his ass; and so shalt thou do with his raiment; and with all lost thing of thy brother's, which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise: thou mayest not hide thyself.

“lieth” Hebrew H3584 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 18:15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
  • 1 Kings 13:18 He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him.
  • Proverbs 30:9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

“therein” Hebrew H2007 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 6:2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
  • Deuteronomy 20:15 Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities which are very far off from thee, which are not of the cities of these nations.
  • Jeremiah 5:6 Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, and a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased.

“falsely” Hebrew H8267 · used in 109 verses

  • Exodus 5:9 Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.
  • Psalms 144:11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:
  • Jeremiah 8:8 How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain.