What does "trespass" mean in the Bible?

Definition and Etymology

In the biblical context, “trespass” typically refers to crossing a moral or legal boundary set by God. The term conveys the idea of stepping beyond a limit, violating trust, or committing an offense against the divine law and against others. In Hebrew, words such as “ma‘al” (מַעַל) can convey the sense of unfaithfulness or infidelity toward God (e.g., in offerings), while “asham” (אָשָׁם) is often translated as “guilt” or “trespass” offering in older English translations. In the New Testament, Greek terms like “paraptōma” (παράπτωμα) and “hamartia” (ἁμαρτία) are closely related to sin, but “paraptōma” can specifically highlight a misstep or deviation from a commanded path, as seen in passages such as Ephesians 2:1–2: “As for you, you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world.”

Old Testament Usage

Throughout the Old Testament, “trespass” is frequently linked with the concept of covenant violation. An example is found in Leviticus 5:15, regarding making a restitution when one wronged “the LORD’s holy things”: “If anyone acts unfaithfully and sins unintentionally against the LORD’s holy things, he must bring his guilt offering to the LORD: an unblemished ram from the flock or its equivalent in silver by the sanctuary shekel. It is a guilt offering.” Older translations may call this a “trespass offering,” emphasizing it as a remedy for crossing sacred boundaries.

Within Israel’s theocratic structure, trespassing involved offenses such as misusing what was dedicated to God, stealing from one’s neighbor, or violating ceremonial regulations. The consequences ranged from offering sacrifices to making restitution, illustrating that every boundary transgression had practical and spiritual repercussions. This aligns with God’s justice, which balances divine holiness and mercy.

The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in the mid-20th century near Qumran, contain Hebrew texts confirming the alignments of these terms with the Masoretic Text of the Old Testament. These scrolls demonstrate that “ma‘al” connotes betrayal of trust (including betrayal of God’s covenant) in ways consistent with the received biblical text, supporting the enduring understanding of trespass as a breach of divine command.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, “trespass” often appears alongside “sin” to underscore the gravity of wrong actions. The Lord’s Prayer, as recounted in Matthew 6:12–14, teaches disciples to forgive others’ offenses:

• “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

• “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

Some translations use “debts,” some use “trespasses,” revealing how the biblical concept merges both financial imagery (debt) and moral responsibility (trespass). The emphasis is on breaking God’s righteous standard, whether it is an action hurting others or failing to measure up to God’s holiness.

Paul’s epistles frequently mention trespasses, highlighting separation from God and subsequent restoration. Ephesians 2:1–5 explains human alienation from God and the divine remedy:

• “As for you, you were dead in your trespasses and sins... But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ...”

This passage illustrates that trespass is a deliberate or careless step beyond God’s boundary, but through divine mercy and grace, restoration is provided to those who turn to Him.

Theological Significance

Trespass carries a sense of personal offense against God’s holiness, reflecting a broken relationship that needs healing. In biblical teaching, it is never a minor infringement but rather a step that distances the trespasser from God’s presence.

However, the message of Scripture consistently points toward reconciliation. Through sacrificial practices in the Old Testament and ultimate fulfillment in Christ’s sacrifice, believers find that trespasses do not have to remain permanent barriers. The repeated assurance of forgiveness, when one repents and trusts in God’s provision, underscores that the gracious remedy outweighs the trespass itself.

Practical Implications

1. Recognition of Boundaries

Understanding trespass guards against casual attitudes toward God’s commands. Just as crossing private property lines without permission can have legal fallout, crossing divine boundaries leads to spiritual consequences. This fosters an attitude of reverent accountability.

2. Need for Confession and Repentance

Trespass highlights the need to take sin seriously. When one acknowledges wrongdoing and seeks restoration, Scripture promises forgiveness (1 John 1:9). This paves the way to reconciled fellowship with God and with others harmed by the trespass.

3. Emphasis on Forgiveness

Trespass also introduces the concept of forgiving those who wrong us. God’s mercy in removing our trespasses sets an example for believers to extend grace to others, fostering community built on compassion and empathy.

Archaeological and Manuscript Evidence

Archaeological findings, including the Dead Sea Scrolls and excavated ancient Near Eastern boundary markers, shed light on how seriously people regarded the infringement of both civil and religious laws. These artifacts confirm the biblical world’s cultural and legal structures surrounding boundary violations.

In the realm of textual reliability, numerous biblical manuscripts—from fragments housed at the Chester Beatty Library to codices like Vaticanus and Sinaiticus—attest to the consistency in how key terms such as “trespass” (in the sense of a moral boundary crossing) are preserved. The careful transmission of these texts supports the lexical continuity from the Old Testament to the New Testament.

Conclusion

“Trespass” in the Bible conveys violating a boundary set by God, whether through faithless action, unethical behavior toward neighbors, or disregard for sacred ordinances. From the Old Testament “guilt/trespass offerings” to New Testament calls to forgive and be forgiven, the Scriptures present a unified perspective: trespassing is serious, but it need not define one’s final destiny. Through divine mercy and the redemptive work set forth in Scripture, trespasses can be forgiven, relationships mended, and spiritual fellowship restored.