Leviticus Chapter 5 KJV | Grace Notes Ministries Study Bible

Author

Moses

Written

~1445-1400 BC

Key Theme

Confession and restitution for unintentional sin

Setting

Sinai Wilderness

Key Verse

Leviticus 5:5

Total Verses

Chapter Introduction

_Even when we stumble in the quiet moments of our day, God invites us into His loving presence. He teaches that every whisper of guilt can be turned into a confession, and from there, into grace. In this chapter, we discover the gentle rhythm of repentance—where the heart is heard and the soul healed. Let us trust that His atonement covers not only our loud sins, but also the soft sighs of our spirit._

Leviticus — Chapter 5 — KJV

And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he hath seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity.

Simply PutIf you miss the mark (the Hebrew word for sin, חטא H2478), even by staying silent when you hear someone swear and know the truth, your iniquity (עון H610) stays with you. Guilt isn’t just about what you do, but also about what you fail to say when honesty calls.

Or if a soul touch any unclean thing, whether it be a carcase of an unclean beast, or a carcase of unclean cattle, or the carcase of unclean creeping things, and if it be hidden from him; he also shall be unclean, and guilty.

Simply PutIf your hands touch something that is impure (טמא H8456)—like a carcass of an unclean animal—yet you didn’t see it, the hidden impurity (סתר H7882) makes you unclean and guilty. The Bible reminds us that unseen sins can still affect our spiritual state.

Or if he touch the uncleanness of man, whatsoever uncleanness it be that a man shall be defiled withal, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty.

Simply PutWhen you unknowingly touch another person’s impurity (טמא H8456), and it was hidden from you, the moment you become aware, you are guilty. Even accidental contact can carry moral weight once consciousness awakens.

Or if a soul swear, pronouncing with his lips to do evil, or to do good, whatsoever it be that a man shall pronounce with an oath, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty in one of these.

Simply PutIf you swear an oath, whether to do good or evil, and the details are hidden from you, once you realize what was promised, you become guilty. The Hebrew for oath (שבע H7279) underscores the seriousness of spoken commitments.

And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that he hath sinned in that thing:

Simply PutWhen guilt settles in your heart, you must confess (אמר H5782) that you have sinned. Admission is the first step toward cleansing and finding peace.

And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD for his sin which he hath sinned, a female from the flock, a lamb or a kid of the goats, for a sin offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his sin.

Simply PutBring a trespass offering—a female lamb or goat—to the LORD, and let the priest make atonement (כפרה H3763) for your sin. This sacrifice symbolizes how God covers our faults with His mercy.

And if he be not able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring for his trespass, which he hath committed, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, unto the LORD; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering.

Simply PutIf you cannot afford a lamb, bring two turtledoves (תור H8466) or pigeons. Even a humble offering reflects your desire to reconcile with God when your hand cannot reach the sufficiency of a lamb.

And he shall bring them unto the priest, who shall offer that which is for the sin offering first, and wring off his head from his neck, but shall not divide it asunder:

Simply PutThe priest offers the first bird as a sin offering, wringing its head without splitting it. This act of preparation shows the seriousness with which God treats our transgressions.

And he shall sprinkle of the blood of the sin offering upon the side of the altar; and the rest of the blood shall be wrung out at the bottom of the altar: it is a sin offering.

Simply PutSprinkle the blood of the sin offering (זפה H2093) on the altar’s side, and let the rest flow to its base. Blood is the life-force that seals our covenant with God.

And he shall offer the second for a burnt offering, according to the manner: and the priest shall make an atonement for him for his sin which he hath sinned, and it shall be forgiven him.

Simply PutOffer the second bird as a burnt offering (olah H5932) and let the priest make atonement for your sin, granting you forgiveness. The burnt offering signifies total devotion to the Divine.

But if he be not able to bring two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, then he that sinned shall bring for his offering the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering; he shall put no oil upon it, neither shall he put any frankincense thereon: for it is a sin offering.

Simply PutIf two birds are beyond your means, bring a tenth of an ephah of fine flour. By leaving out oil and frankincense, you keep the offering pure for its purpose as a sin offering.

Then shall he bring it to the priest, and the priest shall take his handful of it, even a memorial thereof, and burn it on the altar, according to the offerings made by fire unto the LORD: it is a sin offering.

Simply PutThe priest takes a handful of this flour, a memorial (פרה H6388), and burns it on the altar. The ash rises as a visual reminder of forgiveness that has been granted.

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.

Simply PutThrough this atonement, the priest receives a portion of the offering as meat. The “remnant” (שאר H7586) underscores that God’s forgiveness always leaves something behind to sustain us.

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Simply PutThe LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

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:

Simply PutIf you unknowingly sin in the holy things (פשע H6423) of God, bring an unblemished ram as a trespass offering. This acknowledges that even unintentional sins have consequences.

And he shall make amends for the harm that he hath done in the holy thing, and shall add the fifth part thereto, and give it unto the priest: and the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering, and it shall be forgiven him.

Simply PutMake amends by adding a fifth part of the ram’s value, and give it to the priest. The Hebrew word for atonement (כפרה H3763) shows God’s willingness to restore what was broken.

And if a soul sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the LORD; though he wist it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.

Simply PutEven if you acted out of ignorance, you are still guilty. The Bible teaches that unknowing transgressions (תעלם H8429) still bear weight in the eyes of God.

And he shall bring a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest: and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his ignorance wherein he erred and wist it not, and it shall be forgiven him.

Simply PutBring an unblemished ram for your trespass offering, and the priest will make atonement for your ignorance. God’s grace reaches even those who stumble without intent.

It is a trespass offering: he hath certainly trespassed against the LORD.

Simply PutThis is a trespass offering; you have certainly trespassed against the LORD. The act of offering acknowledges that we stand before a holy God, humbled and seeking reconciliation.

←PreviousLeviticus 4 NextLeviticus 6→

Questions about Leviticus 5? Grace is here 24/7.

Ask Grace →

✛ Every chapter of Scripture leads here

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.” — John 3:16

Every book points to Jesus. Every verse is an invitation.

Receive That Gift →

✦ Free Study Resource

Book of Leviticus — Study Infographic

Key themes, power verse, author & structure — all in one graphic. Free to download & share.

Book of Leviticus KJV Study Bible Infographic — Grace Notes Ministries

⇓ Download Free Infographic

✦ Cross-References

Numbers 15:27-31This passage repeats the Levitical law of guilt offerings, confirming its perpetual applicability for unintentional sins.

Leviticus 6:8-13These verses detail the procedural requirements for the guilt offering introduced in Leviticus 5, providing the ritual context.

Hebrews 9:12The author likens Christ's once-for-all sacrifice to the guilt offering, showing its fulfillment in the New Covenant.

Romans 3:23-24Paul explains that all have sinned and are justified by grace, underscoring the theological need for atonement as prescribed in Leviticus 5.

Reflect

Think about a recent moment when you realized you'd hurt someone—perhaps through a careless comment or missed commitment. What intentional step can you take right now to make amends and experience the relief of being forgiven?