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,

LEVITICUS 6:4KJV
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Leviticus 6:4 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 6:4 mean?

Leviticus 6:4 says that if someone has sinned by taking or keeping something that does not belong to them—whether by force, deceit, or by failing to return a lost item—they must give it back. The verse makes clear that being found guilty means making things right with the person who was wronged.

This verse is part of God’s instructions to Moses for the Israelites about handling cases of dishonesty or theft. The focus is on personal responsibility: if someone is found guilty, they are not just to confess but also to restore what was taken. The verse lists several ways a person might wrong another—by violence, deceit, or neglecting to return something entrusted or found—showing that all these require restitution.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 6:4

  • The word “sinned” is חָטָא (chata’), meaning to miss the mark or do wrong. Here, it underlines that the wrongdoer’s actions are not just mistakes but moral failings.
  • “Restore” is שׁוּב (shuv), which means to return or bring back. This word highlights that making things right involves action, not just words or feelings.
  • “Guilty” is אָשַׁם (asham), which carries the sense of being held responsible or liable for wrongdoing. This term emphasizes that the person cannot ignore or excuse their actions—they are accountable.
  • The phrase “thing which he hath deceitfully gotten” uses עָשַׁק (ashaq), meaning to oppress or defraud. This shows that even less obvious forms of wrongdoing, like trickery or fraud, are included.

Why Leviticus 6:4 matters

  • Leviticus 6:4 clarifies that restitution is required for a range of wrongs, not just outright theft—deceit, neglect, and even failing to return lost property all count.
  • The verse stresses that confession alone is not enough; making amends is a necessary part of dealing with sin in the community.
  • This instruction connects to the broader theme in Leviticus of justice and fairness among the Israelites, showing that God’s law cares about both personal integrity and the well-being of others.

Where else these words appear

“delivered” Hebrew H6487 · used in 3 verses

  • Genesis 41:36 And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.
  • 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;

“thing” 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 6:3 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:
  • 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.

“that” Hebrew H1500 · used in 6 verses

  • Isaiah 3:14 The LORD will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses.
  • Ezekiel 18:7 And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment;
  • Ezekiel 18:16 Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment,

“thing” Hebrew H6233 · used in 15 verses

  • Psalms 62:10 Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
  • Ecclesiastes 7:7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
  • Jeremiah 22:17 But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it.