Leviticus 5:1
New International Version
“’If anyone sins because they do not speak up when they hear a public charge to testify regarding something they have seen or learned about, they will be held responsible.

New Living Translation
“If you are called to testify about something you have seen or that you know about, it is sinful to refuse to testify, and you will be punished for your sin.

English Standard Version
“If anyone sins in that he hears a public adjuration to testify, and though he is a witness, whether he has seen or come to know the matter, yet does not speak, he shall bear his iniquity;

Berean Standard Bible
“If someone sins by failing to testify when he hears a public charge about something he has witnessed, whether he has seen it or learned of it, he shall bear the iniquity.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
‘If a person sins in hearing the utterance of an oath, and is a witness, whether he has seen or known of the matter—if he does not tell it, he bears guilt.

New American Standard Bible
‘Now if a person sins after he hears a public order to testify when he is a witness, whether he has seen or otherwise known, if he does not tell it, then he will bear his punishment.

NASB 1995
Now if a person sins after he hears a public adjuration to testify when he is a witness, whether he has seen or otherwise known, if he does not tell it, then he will bear his guilt.

NASB 1977
‘Now if a person sins, after he hears a public adjuration to testify, when he is a witness, whether he has seen or otherwise known, if he does not tell it, then he will bear his guilt.

Legacy Standard Bible
‘Now if a person sins after he hears a public oath to testify when he is a witness, whether he has seen or otherwise known, if he does not tell it, then he will bear his guilt.

Amplified Bible
‘If anyone sins after he hears a public adjuration (solemn command to testify) when he is a witness, whether he has seen or [otherwise] known [something]—if he fails to report it, then he will bear his guilt and be held responsible.

Christian Standard Bible
“When someone sins in any of these ways: If he has seen, heard, or known about something he has witnessed, and did not respond to a public call to testify, he will bear his iniquity.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When someone sins in any of these ways: If he has seen, heard, or known about something he has witnessed, and did not respond to a public call to testify, he is responsible for his sin.

American Standard Version
And if any one sin, in that he heareth the voice of adjuration, he being a witness, whether he hath seen or known, if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity.

Contemporary English Version
If you refuse to testify in court about something you saw or know has happened, you have sinned and can be punished.

English Revised Version
And if any one sin, in that he heareth the voice of adjuration, he being a witness, whether he hath seen or known, if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[The LORD continued,] "Now, if you are a witness under oath and won't tell what you saw or what you know, you are sinning and will be punished.

Good News Translation
Sin offerings are required in the following cases. If you are officially summoned to give evidence in court and do not give information about something you have seen or heard, you must suffer the consequences.

International Standard Version
"If someone sins because he has failed to testify after receiving notice to testify as a witness regarding what he has observed or learned, he is to be held responsible."

Majority Standard Bible
“If someone sins by failing to testify when he hears a public charge about something he has witnessed, whether he has seen it or learned of it, he shall bear the iniquity.

NET Bible
"'When a person sins in that he hears a public curse against one who fails to testify and he is a witness (he either saw or knew what had happened) and he does not make it known, then he will bear his punishment for iniquity.

New Heart English Bible
"'If anyone sins, in that he hears the voice of adjuration, he being a witness, whether he has seen or known, if he doesn't report it, then he shall bear his iniquity.

Webster's Bible Translation
And if a soul shall sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and be a witness, whether he hath seen or known of it; if he doth not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity.

World English Bible
“‘If anyone sins, in that he hears a public adjuration to testify, he being a witness, whether he has seen or known, if he doesn’t report it, then he shall bear his iniquity.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“And when a person sins, and has heard the voice of an oath, and he [is] witness, or has seen, or has known—if he does not declare [it], then he has borne his iniquity.

Young's Literal Translation
And when a person doth sin, and hath heard the voice of an oath, and he is witness, or hath seen, or hath known -- if he declare not, then he hath borne his iniquity:

Smith's Literal Translation
And when a soul shall sin, and he heard the voice of an oath, and he a witness, if he saw or knew; if he shall not announce, he bore his sin.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If any one sin, and hear the voice of one swearing, and is a witness either because he himself hath seen, or is privy to it: if he do not utter it, he shall bear his iniquity.

Catholic Public Domain Version
If a soul will have sinned, and heard the voice of one testifying under oath, and he is a witness because either he has seen it himself, or he is aware of it: if he does not reveal it, he shall carry his iniquity.

New American Bible
If a person, either having seen or come to know something, does wrong by refusing as a witness under oath to give information, that individual shall bear the penalty;

New Revised Standard Version
When any of you sin in that you have heard a public adjuration to testify and—though able to testify as one who has seen or learned of the matter—do not speak up, you are subject to punishment.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
WHEN a person sins and hears the voice of swearing and is a witness, whether he has seen or known of it, if he do not tell it, then he shall suffer for his iniquity.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
"And when the soul will sin and will hear the voice of an oath and he witnessed or saw or knew, unless he will tell, he will bear his sin.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And if any one sin, in that he heareth the voice of adjuration, he being a witness, whether he hath seen or known, if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and he is a witness or has seen or been conscious, if he do not report it, he shall bear his iniquity.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Sins Requiring a Sin Offering
1“If someone sins by failing to testify when he hears a public charge about something he has witnessed, whether he has seen it or learned of it, he shall bear the iniquity. 2Or if a person touches anything unclean—whether the carcass of any unclean wild animal or livestock or crawling creature—even if he is unaware of it, he is unclean and guilty.…

Cross References
Proverbs 29:24
A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the oath but does not testify.

Numbers 5:6-7
“Tell the Israelites that when a man or woman acts unfaithfully against the LORD by committing any sin against another, that person is guilty / and must confess the sin he has committed. He must make full restitution, add a fifth to its value, and give all this to the one he has wronged.

Matthew 26:63-64
But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to Him, “I charge You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.” / “You have said it yourself,” Jesus answered. “But I say to all of you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Luke 22:67-70
“If You are the Christ, tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe. / And if I ask you a question, you will not answer. / But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” ...

Deuteronomy 19:15-21
A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. / If a false witness testifies against someone, accusing him of a crime, / both parties to the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD, before the priests and judges who are in office at that time. ...

Matthew 18:15-17
If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. / But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ / If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

John 18:20-21
“I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered. “I always taught in the synagogues and at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. / Why are you asking Me? Ask those who heard My message. Surely they know what I said.”

Acts 5:1-11
Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. / With his wife’s full knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds for himself, but brought a portion and laid it at the apostles’ feet. / Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land? ...

1 Kings 8:31-32
When a man sins against his neighbor and is required to take an oath, and he comes to take an oath before Your altar in this temple, / then may You hear from heaven and act. May You judge Your servants, condemning the wicked man by bringing down on his own head what he has done, and justifying the righteous man by rewarding him according to his righteousness.

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.

Exodus 23:1
“You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness.

Matthew 5:23-24
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, / leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 Corinthians 5:1-2
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife. / And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been stricken with grief and have removed from your fellowship the man who did this?

Zechariah 8:16-17
These are the things you must do: Speak truth to one another, render true and sound judgments in your gates, / do not plot evil in your hearts against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely, for I hate all these things,” declares the LORD.


Treasury of Scripture

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

a soul

Leviticus 5:15,17
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 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:

Ezekiel 18:4,20
Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die…

hear

Exodus 22:11
Then shall an oath of the LORD be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour's goods; and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good.

Judges 17:2
And he said unto his mother, The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from thee, about which thou cursedst, and spakest of also in mine ears, behold, the silver is with me; I took it. And his mother said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my son.

1 Kings 8:31
If any man trespass against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house:

the voice of swearing.

bear

Leviticus 5:17
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.

Leviticus 7:18
And if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings be eaten at all on the third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed unto him that offereth it: it shall be an abomination, and the soul that eateth of it shall bear his iniquity.

Leviticus 17:16
But if he wash them not, nor bathe his flesh; then he shall bear his iniquity.

Jump to Previous
Adjuration Bear Charge Guilt Hear Heareth Hears Iniquity Learned Matter Otherwise Public Regarding Report Sin Sins Something Soul Swearing Testify Utter Voice Whether Witness Wrong
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Adjuration Bear Charge Guilt Hear Heareth Hears Iniquity Learned Matter Otherwise Public Regarding Report Sin Sins Something Soul Swearing Testify Utter Voice Whether Witness Wrong
Leviticus 5
1. He who sins in concealing his knowledge
2. in touching an unclean thing
4. or in making an oath
6. His trespass offering, of the flock
7. of fowls
11. or of flour
14. The trespass offering in sacrilege
17. and in sins of ignorance














If someone sins
The Hebrew word for "sins" here is "חָטָא" (chata), which means to miss the mark or to err. In the context of Leviticus, sin is not just a moral failing but a breach of the covenant relationship with God. This phrase sets the stage for understanding sin as an act that disrupts the divine order and requires atonement. It emphasizes personal responsibility and the need for awareness of one's actions in the community.

because he has heard
The act of hearing, "שָׁמַע" (shama), is significant in Hebrew culture, often implying not just auditory reception but also understanding and obedience. This phrase suggests that the individual is accountable for what they have heard, highlighting the importance of being attentive and responsive to God's commands and communal responsibilities.

a public adjuration to testify
The term "adjuration" refers to a solemn charge or oath. In ancient Israel, public adjurations were serious matters, often involving a formal declaration before God and the community. This phrase underscores the gravity of truth-telling and the communal aspect of justice, where individuals are called to uphold truth for the well-being of society.

and he is a witness
The Hebrew word for "witness" is "עֵד" (ed), which implies someone who has firsthand knowledge of an event. Being a witness carries a moral and legal obligation to testify truthfully. This phrase highlights the role of witnesses in maintaining justice and integrity within the community, reflecting God's nature as a God of truth.

whether he has seen or learned of it
This phrase expands the responsibility of the witness to include both direct observation ("seen") and acquired knowledge ("learned"). It emphasizes the comprehensive nature of truth and the duty to report it, regardless of how it was obtained. This reflects the biblical principle that truth is not just personal but communal, affecting the entire body of believers.

he shall bear the iniquity
The phrase "bear the iniquity" involves the Hebrew word "עָוֹן" (avon), meaning guilt or punishment for sin. This indicates that failing to testify truthfully results in bearing the consequences of sin, both personally and communally. It serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of sin and the need for confession and atonement, pointing ultimately to the redemptive work of Christ who bore our iniquities on the cross.

V

(1) And hear the voice of swearing.--Better, because he heard the voice of adjuration, and might be a witness, whether he hath seen the offence or known of it, if he doth not tell it. Having laid dawn in the former chapter the regulations about the sin offering, and having shown how these regulations are to be carried out when the offence against the Divine law is inadvertently committed by the spiritual head of the people, by the whole congregation, by the sovereign ruler of the nation, and by the individual members of the community, the lawgiver now proceeds to set forth in Leviticus 5:1-13 of this chapter the trespass offering which every Israelite is to bring when he has violated certain precepts here specified. The first instance adduced is that of failing to come forward as witness after the judicial adjuration has been uttered. It was the duty of every member of the community to aid the authorities in maintaining the integrity of the Divine law. Hence, when an offence was committed which the constituted tribunals were unable to bring home to the offender for want of evidence, a solemn adjuration was addressed by the judge to individual members, to a district, or to the whole community. If after such an adjuration, anyone who was cognizant of the offence failed to come forward to testify what he knew, he was considered in the sight of God as participating in the transgression which he had thus concealed. It is with reference to this law that we are told, "whoso is partner with a thief, hateth his own soul, he heareth cursing and betrayeth it not," i.e., he hears the adjuration of the judges, and yet stifles his evidence, and thus becomes a partner with the culprit. An instance of this adjuration is recorded in Matthew 26:63, where the high priest said to Jesus, "I adjure thee by the living God that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the son of God," and it was in recognition of the solemn obligation of this adjuration that Jesus answered the question.

Then he shall bear his iniquity.--Better, and he beareth his iniquity; that is, he is sensible that he bears the load of this guilt, he has become conscious of his sin, without which he could not bring the sacrifice here prescribed. The phrase, "and he beareth his guilt," has the same meaning as and "he," or "they are guilty" in Leviticus 4:13; Leviticus 4:22, &c. Unlike the sins committed inadvertently, spoken of in the preceding chapter, where the sin offering is prescribed, the guilt here described is that of designed and culpable silence, and of deliberately concealing a crime.

Verse 1. - The case of a witness on oath. If a man hear the voice of swearing, that is, if he was one of a number of persons adjured to speak according to the manner in which oaths were administered in Jewish courts of justice (see Matthew 26:63; 2 Chronicles 18:15), and he did not give evidence of what he had seen or heard, he had to bear his iniquity, that is, he was regarded as guilty; and as this was an offense which could be atoned for by a sacrifice, he was to offer as a sin offering a ewe lamb, or a female kid, or two turtle-doves, or two pigeons, or the tenth part of an ephah of flour. This injunction is a direct condemnation of the approved teaching of Italian moral theologians of paramount authority throughout the Roman Church, who maintain that, in case a crime is not known to others, a witness in a court of justice "may, nay, he is bound to, say that the accused has not committed it" (St. Alfonso de' Liguori, 'Theol. Mor.,' 4:154).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

someone
וְנֶ֣פֶשׁ (wə·ne·p̄eš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

sins
תֶחֱטָ֗א (ṯe·ḥĕ·ṭā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2398: To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn

by failing
ל֥וֹא (lō·w)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

to testify
יַגִּ֖יד (yag·gîḏ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

when he hears
וְשָֽׁמְעָה֙ (wə·šā·mə·‘āh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

a public
ק֣וֹל (qō·wl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound

charge
אָלָ֔ה (’ā·lāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 423: An imprecation

about something he
וְה֣וּא (wə·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

has witnessed,
עֵ֔ד (‘êḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5707: A witness, testimony, a recorder, prince

whether
א֥וֹ (’ōw)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

he has seen it
רָאָ֖ה (rā·’āh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

or
א֣וֹ (’ōw)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

learned of it,
יָדָ֑ע (yā·ḏā‘)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

he shall bear
וְנָשָׂ֥א (wə·nā·śā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

the iniquity.
עֲוֺנֽוֹ׃ (‘ă·wō·nōw)
Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5771: Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity


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OT Law: Leviticus 5:1 If anyone sins in that he hears (Le Lv Lev.)
Leviticus 4:35
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