"If someone acts unfaithfully and sins unintentionally against any of the LORD's holy things, he must bring his guilt offering to the LORD: an unblemished ram from the flock, of proper value in silver shekels according to the sanctuary shekel; it is a guilt offering. If someone acts unfaithfully and sins unintentionally against any of the LORD’s holy thingsThis phrase addresses the concept of unintentional sin, which is significant in the Levitical law. The term "acts unfaithfully" implies a breach of trust or covenant with God, even if done unintentionally. The "LORD’s holy things" refers to items or practices set apart for worship, such as offerings, tithes, or sacred rituals. This highlights the importance of maintaining reverence for what is consecrated to God. The idea of unintentional sin is also seen in Numbers 15:22-29, emphasizing the need for atonement even when the sin is not deliberate. he must bring his guilt offering to the LORD
The guilt offering, or "asham" in Hebrew, is distinct from other offerings like the sin offering. It specifically addresses offenses that require restitution, often involving a breach of faithfulness. This offering underscores the necessity of acknowledging wrongdoing and seeking reconciliation with God. The act of bringing the offering to the LORD signifies personal responsibility and the desire to restore the relationship with God. an unblemished ram from the flock
The requirement for an "unblemished ram" signifies the need for purity and perfection in offerings to God. This reflects the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin. The ram, a valuable animal, indicates the costliness of atonement. This foreshadows Christ as the perfect, unblemished sacrifice for sin, as seen in 1 Peter 1:19, where Jesus is described as a lamb without blemish or defect. of proper value in silver shekels according to the sanctuary shekel
The specification of "proper value in silver shekels" according to the sanctuary shekel standardizes the offering, ensuring fairness and consistency. The sanctuary shekel was a specific weight used in the tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of precision and integrity in worship. This reflects the broader biblical principle of just measures and weights, as seen in Proverbs 11:1. it is a guilt offering
The designation "guilt offering" highlights the nature of the offense and the need for restitution. This offering not only seeks forgiveness but also involves making amends, often requiring additional compensation to the offended party. The guilt offering points to the comprehensive nature of atonement, addressing both the spiritual and relational aspects of sin. This concept is further developed in Isaiah 53:10, where the suffering servant (a type of Christ) is described as a guilt offering, underscoring the redemptive work of Jesus. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORDThe covenant God of Israel, who is holy and requires holiness from His people. 2. The SinnerAn individual who has acted unfaithfully and sinned unintentionally against the holy things of the LORD. 3. Holy ThingsItems or practices set apart for worship and service to God, which require reverence and proper handling. 4. Guilt OfferingA specific type of sacrifice required to atone for certain sins, particularly those involving the misuse of holy things. 5. Sanctuary ShekelA standard of measurement used in the valuation of offerings, ensuring fairness and consistency in the sacrificial system. Teaching Points Understanding Unintentional SinRecognize that even unintentional sins require atonement, underscoring the pervasive nature of sin and the holiness of God. The Importance of Holy ThingsReflect on how we treat what is sacred in our lives, such as worship, Scripture, and the community of believers. The Role of RestitutionConsider the importance of making amends when we wrong others or misuse what is dedicated to God. Christ as Our Guilt OfferingEmbrace the truth that Jesus is our ultimate guilt offering, providing complete atonement for our sins. Valuation and FairnessAppreciate the fairness and justice in God's requirements, as seen in the use of the sanctuary shekel for valuation. Bible Study Questions 1. What does it mean to act unfaithfully against the LORD's holy things, and how can we apply this understanding to our daily lives? 2. How does the concept of unintentional sin in Leviticus 5:15 challenge our perception of sin and accountability? 3. In what ways can we ensure that we are treating the holy things of God with the reverence they deserve? 4. How does the requirement of a guilt offering in the Old Testament point us to the need for Christ's sacrifice in the New Testament? 5. What practical steps can we take to make restitution when we have wronged others, in light of the principles found in Leviticus 5:15 and related scriptures? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 4Discusses sin offerings for unintentional sins, providing context for the guilt offering in Leviticus 5:15. Numbers 5:5-8Addresses restitution for wrongs committed, emphasizing the need for both confession and compensation. Hebrews 9:13-14Compares the blood of animals in the Old Testament sacrificial system to the superior sacrifice of Christ, who cleanses our conscience. 1 John 1:9Highlights the New Testament principle of confession and forgiveness through Jesus Christ, our ultimate guilt offering. People Ephah, MosesPlaces TemanTopics Act, Acts, Anyone, Blemish, Breach, Bring, Cattle, Commit, Commits, Committeth, Connection, Defect, Error, Estimation, Faith, Fixed, Flock, Flocks, Forfeit, Guilt, Guilt-offering, Holy, Ignorance, Inadvertence, Lord's, Male, Mark, Offering, Penalty, Perfect, Proper, Ram, Regard, Sanctuary, Scale, Sheep, Shekel, Shekels, Silver, Sin, Sinned, Sinning, Sins, Soul, Terms, Trespass, Trespass-offering, Unfaithfully, Unintentionally, Untrue, Unwittingly, Valuation, Value, Valued, ViolationDictionary of Bible Themes Leviticus 5:15 4363 silver
5615 weights Leviticus 5:14-16 1657 numbers, fractions
8269 holiness, separation from worldly Leviticus 5:14-19 7316 blood, OT sacrifices Leviticus 5:15-18 7370 guilt offering Leviticus 5:15-19 4681 ram Library An Unalterable Law
EVERYWHERE under the old figurative dispensation, blood was sure to greet your eyes. It was the one most prominent thing under the Jewish economy, scarcely a ceremony was observed without it. You could not enter into any part of the tabernacle, but you saw traces of the blood-sprinkling. Sometimes there were bowls of blood cast at the foot of the altar. The place looked so like a shambles, that to visit it must have been far from attractive to the natural taste, and to delight in it, a man had need …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 60: 1914List of Abbreviations Used in Reference to Rabbinic Writings Quoted in this Work.
THE Mishnah is always quoted according to Tractate, Chapter (Pereq) and Paragraph (Mishnah), the Chapter being marked in Roman, the paragraph in ordinary Numerals. Thus Ber. ii. 4 means the Mishnic Tractate Berakhoth, second Chapter, fourth Paragraph. The Jerusalem Talmud is distinguished by the abbreviation Jer. before the name of the Tractate. Thus, Jer. Ber. is the Jer. Gemara, or Talmud, of the Tractate Berakhoth. The edition, from which quotations are made, is that commonly used, Krotoschin, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Sanctification.
VI. Objections answered. I will consider those passages of scripture which are by some supposed to contradict the doctrine we have been considering. 1 Kings viii. 46: "If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near," etc. On this passage, I remark:-- 1. That this sentiment in nearly the same language, is repeated in 2 Chron. vi. 26, and in Eccl. …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology Entire Sanctification
By Dr. Adam Clarke The word "sanctify" has two meanings. 1. It signifies to consecrate, to separate from earth and common use, and to devote or dedicate to God and his service. 2. It signifies to make holy or pure. Many talk much, and indeed well, of what Christ has done for us: but how little is spoken of what he is to do in us! and yet all that he has done for us is in reference to what he is to do in us. He was incarnated, suffered, died, and rose again from the dead; ascended to heaven, and there …
Adam Clarke—Entire Sanctification Christ a Complete Saviour:
OR, THE INTERCESSION OF CHRIST, AND WHO ARE PRIVILEGED IN IT. BY JOHN BUNYAN Advertisement by the Editor. However strange it may appear, it is a solemn fact, that the heart of man, unless prepared by a sense of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, rejects Christ as a complete Saviour. The pride of human nature will not suffer it to fall, as helpless and utterly undone, into the arms of Divine mercy. Man prefers a partial Saviour; one who had done so much, that, with the sinner's aid, the work might be …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Second Stage of Jewish Trial. Jesus Condemned by Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin.
(Palace of Caiaphas. Friday.) ^A Matt. XXVI. 57, 59-68; ^B Mark XIV. 53, 55-65; ^C Luke XXII. 54, 63-65; ^D John XVIII. 24. ^d 24 Annas therefore sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. [Foiled in his attempted examination of Jesus, Annas sends him to trial.] ^b and there come together with him all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. ^a 57 And they that had taken Jesus led him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, ^c and brought him into the high priest's house. ^a where …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Earliest Christian Preaching
1. THUS far we have confined ourselves to the words of Jesus. The divine necessity of His death, indicated in the Old Testament and forming the basis of all His teaching regarding it, is the primary truth; the nature of that necessity begins to be revealed as the death is set in relation to the ransoming of many, and to the institution of a new covenant -- that is, a new religion, having as its fundamental blessing the forgiveness of sins. I do not think this view of our Lord's mind as to His own …
James Denney—The Death of Christ Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Leviticus 5:15 NIVLeviticus 5:15 NLTLeviticus 5:15 ESVLeviticus 5:15 NASBLeviticus 5:15 KJV
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