The Trespass Offering, also known as the Guilt Offering, is a significant aspect of the sacrificial system outlined in the Old Testament, specifically within the Levitical law. This offering is distinct from the Sin Offering, although both address issues of sin and atonement. The Trespass Offering is primarily concerned with unintentional sins that involve a breach of faith or trust, particularly those that result in some form of damage or loss to another party or to the sacred things of the Lord.

Biblical Foundation

The primary instructions for the Trespass Offering are found in Leviticus 5:14–6:7 and Leviticus 7:1–7. The Berean Standard Bible provides a clear translation of these passages. Leviticus 5:15-16 states: "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, according to your valuation in silver shekels, based on the sanctuary shekel. He must make restitution for what he has failed to do regarding the holy things, add a fifth of the value to it, and give it all to the priest. The priest will then make atonement on his behalf with the ram as a guilt offering, and he will be forgiven."

Purpose and Procedure

The Trespass Offering served multiple purposes. It was a means of atonement for specific transgressions, a way to restore the relationship between the offender and God, and a method to rectify wrongs done to others. The offering required the presentation of a ram without blemish, symbolizing the need for purity and perfection in the sacrificial act. The offender was also required to make restitution to the wronged party, adding a fifth of the value to the compensation, thereby emphasizing the importance of justice and reconciliation.

The procedure for the Trespass Offering involved the offender bringing the prescribed sacrifice to the priest, who would then slaughter the animal and sprinkle its blood on the altar. The fat of the animal was burned on the altar, while the rest of the meat was given to the priests as their portion. This ritual underscored the gravity of sin and the necessity of a mediator between God and humanity.

Types of Trespasses

The Trespass Offering addressed various types of transgressions, including:

1. Sins against the Holy Things: These involved violations related to the sacred objects and rituals of the tabernacle or temple, such as failing to offer the required tithes or offerings.

2. Sins against Others: This category included acts of deceit, robbery, or oppression against a neighbor. Leviticus 6:2-5 elaborates on these offenses: "If someone sins and acts unfaithfully against the LORD by deceiving his neighbor regarding a deposit or security, or by robbery or fraud, or if he finds lost property and lies about it, or if he swears falsely about any such sin that a man may commit—once he has sinned and is guilty, he must restore what he took by robbery or fraud, or the deposit entrusted to him, or the lost property he found, or anything else about which he swore falsely. He must make restitution in full, add a fifth of the value, and pay it to the owner on the day he presents his guilt offering."

Theological Significance

The Trespass Offering highlights the seriousness with which God views sin, particularly those that harm others or desecrate what is holy. It underscores the necessity of restitution and reconciliation, reflecting God's justice and mercy. The offering also foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who, as the perfect and final offering, atones for the sins of humanity. The New Testament echoes this fulfillment, as seen in passages like Hebrews 10:12 : "But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God."

In summary, the Trespass Offering is a profound element of the Old Testament sacrificial system, emphasizing the need for atonement, restitution, and the restoration of relationships, both with God and with others.Trespass Offering

TRESPASS OFFERING

See SACRIFICE.

Trespass Offering

[SIN OFFERING OFFERING]

817. asham -- offense, guilt
... guiltiness, offering for sin, trespass offering. From 'asham; guilt; by implication,
a fault; also a sin-offering -- guiltiness, (offering ...
/hebrew/817.htm - 6k

819. ashmah -- wrongdoing, guiltiness
... Feminine of 'asham; guiltiness, a fault, the presentation of a sin-offering -- offend,
sin, (cause of) trespass(-ing, offering). see HEBREW 'asham. 818, 819. ...
/hebrew/819.htm - 6k

Leviticus.
... (a) the blood offering-peace offering, sin offering and trespass offering,.
(b) the bloodless offerings-the meat, or meal, offering. ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter iii leviticus.htm

The Suffering Servant --iv
... Revised Version gives the best rendering"'His soul shall make an offering for sin.'
The word employed for 'offering' means a trespass offering, and carries ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the suffering servantiv.htm

An Unalterable Law
... The trespass offering, referred to as an alternative, in Leviticus 5:11, might,
in extreme cases of excessive poverty, be a bloodless offering. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 60 1914/an unalterable law.htm

The Blood of Sprinkling
... offering. This, under the Mosaic service, was split into parts, - the peace
offering, trespass offering, sin offering, etc. In all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bonar/gods way of peace/chapter v the blood of.htm

The Attack on the Book of Leviticus.
... Here again the same formula of speech is employed, God speaking to Moses
gave directions concerning. (5) The trespass offering. In ...
/.../concerning the assumptions of destructive criticism/v the attack on the.htm

Degrees of Sin
... sins are greater than others appears, (1) Because there was difference in the offerings
under the law; the sin offering was greater than the trespass offering. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/3 2 degrees of sin.htm

The Helpless State of the Sinner under Condemnation.
... And that soul that had "done aught presumptuously" was not allowed to bring any
sin-offering, or trespass-offering at all, but was condemned to "die without ...
/.../chapter vii the helpless state.htm

Some Helpful Thoughts on Consecration
... It only takes away the guilt and trespasses of the sinner, and brings him into the
favor of God, who gave his Son a "trespass-offering" for the world. ...
/.../byers/sanctification/chapter xi some helpful thoughts.htm

The Other Observances of the Jews.
... Friday, the beginning of the Sabbath, after three stars of moderate size were visible,
was held to have sinned, and had to present a trespass-offering; and so ...
/.../the epistle of mathetes to diognetus/chapter iv the other observances of.htm

Among the People, and with the Pharisees
... lowest degree, or perhaps even a novice, to the most advanced chasid, or "pietist."
The latter would, for example, bring every day a trespass-offering, in case ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 13 among the people.htm

What is a trespass in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is a trespass offering / guilt offering? | GotQuestions.org

What were the various sacrifices in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.org

Trespass: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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