Leviticus 5:17
New International Version
“If anyone sins and does what is forbidden in any of the LORD’s commands, even though they do not know it, they are guilty and will be held responsible.

New Living Translation
“Suppose you sin by violating one of the LORD’s commands. Even if you are unaware of what you have done, you are guilty and will be punished for your sin.

English Standard Version
“If anyone sins, doing any of the things that by the LORD’s commandments ought not to be done, though he did not know it, then realizes his guilt, he shall bear his iniquity.

Berean Standard Bible
If someone sins and violates any of the LORD’s commandments even though he was unaware, he is guilty and shall bear his punishment.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
“If a person sins, and commits any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the LORD, though he does not know it, yet he is guilty and shall bear his iniquity.

New American Standard Bible
“Now if a person sins and does any of the things which the LORD has commanded not to be done, though he was unaware, he is still guilty and shall bear his punishment.

NASB 1995
“Now if a person sins and does any of the things which the LORD has commanded not to be done, though he was unaware, still he is guilty and shall bear his punishment.

NASB 1977
“Now if a person sins and does any of the things which the LORD has commanded not to be done, though he was unaware, still he is guilty, and shall bear his punishment.

Legacy Standard Bible
“Now if a person sins and does any one of the things which Yahweh has commanded not to be done, but he was unaware, still he is guilty and shall bear his punishment.

Amplified Bible
“Now if anyone sins and does any of the things which the LORD has forbidden, though he was not aware of it, still he is guilty and shall bear his punishment.

Christian Standard Bible
“If someone sins and without knowing it violates any of the LORD’s commands concerning anything prohibited, he is guilty, and he will bear his iniquity.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If someone sins and without knowing it violates any of the LORD’s commands concerning anything prohibited, he bears the consequences of his guilt.

American Standard Version
And if any one sin, and do any of the things which Jehovah hath commanded not to be done; though he knew it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.

English Revised Version
And if any one sin, and do any of the things which the LORD hath commanded not to be done; though he knew it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"If any of you do wrong-even one thing forbidden by any of the LORD's commands, but you didn't know it-when you realize your guilt, you must be punished.

Good News Translation
If any of you sin unintentionally by breaking any of the LORD's commands, you are guilty and must pay the penalty.

International Standard Version
"If a person sins and does what the LORD commanded is not to be done, and if he didn't know that he had sinned, then he will be guilty nevertheless.

Majority Standard Bible
If someone sins and violates any of the LORD?s commandments even though he was unaware, he is guilty and shall bear his punishment.

NET Bible
"If a person sins and violates any of the Lord's commandments which must not be violated (although he did not know it at the time, but later realizes he is guilty), then he will bear his punishment for iniquity

New Heart English Bible
"If anyone sins, and does any of the things which the LORD has commanded not to be done; though he did not know it, yet he is guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.

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

World English Bible
“If anyone sins, doing any of the things which Yahweh has commanded not to be done, though he didn’t know it, he is still guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And when any person sins, and has done [something against] one of all the commands of YHWH [regarding things] which are not to be done, and has not known, then he has been guilty, and has borne his iniquity.

Young's Literal Translation
And when any person sinneth, and hath done something against one of all the commands of Jehovah regarding things which are not to be done, and hath not known, and he hath been guilty, and hath borne his iniquity,

Smith's Literal Translation
And if a soul shall sin and do one from all the commands of Jehovah which shall not be done; and he knew not, and he was guilty, and bore his sin.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If any one sin through ignorance, and do one of those things which by the law of the Lord are forbidden, and being guilty of sin, understand his iniquity,

Catholic Public Domain Version
If a soul will have sinned through ignorance, and will have done one of those things which the law of the Lord prohibits, and, being guilty of sin, understands his iniquity,

New American Bible
If someone does wrong and violates one of the LORD’s prohibitions without realizing it, that person is guilty and shall bear the penalty.

New Revised Standard Version
If any of you sin without knowing it, doing any of the things that by the LORD’s commandments ought not to be done, you have incurred guilt, and are subject to punishment.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And if any person sins and commits any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the LORD; though he does not know that he has sinned, yet he is guilty and shall suffer for his iniquity.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And if the soul will sin and it will do one thing of all the commandments of LORD JEHOVAH that are not to be done and does not know that he sinned, he shall bear his sin.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And if any one sin, and do any of the things which the LORD hath commanded not to be done, though he know it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the soul which shall sin, and do one thing against any of the commandments of the Lord, which it is not right to do, and has not known it, and shall have transgressed, and shall have contracted guilt,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Laws for Guilt Offerings
16Regarding any holy thing he has harmed, he must make restitution by adding a fifth of its value to it and giving it to the priest, who will make atonement on his behalf with the ram as a guilt offering, and he will be forgiven. 17If someone sins and violates any of the LORD’s commandments even though he was unaware, he is guilty and shall bear his punishment. 18He is to bring to the priest an unblemished ram of proper value from the flock as a guilt offering. Then the priest will make atonement on his behalf for the wrong he has committed in ignorance, and he will be forgiven.…

Cross References
Numbers 15:27-31
Also, if one person sins unintentionally, he is to present a year-old female goat as a sin offering. / And the priest shall make atonement before the LORD on behalf of the person who erred by sinning unintentionally; and when atonement has been made for him, he will be forgiven. / You shall have the same law for the one who acts in error, whether he is a native-born Israelite or a foreigner residing among you. ...

Hebrews 9:7
But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.

James 4:17
Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.

Luke 12:48
But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded.

Romans 7:15-25
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do. But what I hate, I do. / And if I do what I do not want to do, I admit that the law is good. / In that case, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. ...

1 John 1:8-10
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. / If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. / If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us.

Psalm 19:12
Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults.

Hebrews 10:26-27
If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, / but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries.

1 Timothy 1:13
I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy.

Acts 17:30
Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent.

Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Galatians 3:19
Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator.

1 Corinthians 15:56
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

Ezekiel 45:20
You must do the same thing on the seventh day of the month for anyone who strays unintentionally or in ignorance. In this way you will make atonement for the temple.

Matthew 5:19
So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.


Treasury of Scripture

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 knew it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.

Leviticus 5:1
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.

Leviticus 4:2-4,13,22,27
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: …

though

Leviticus 5:15
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:

Psalm 19:12
Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

Luke 12:48
But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

yet is he

Leviticus 5:1,2
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…

Leviticus 4:2,13,27
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: …

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Bear Commanded Commandments Commands Commit Forbidden Guilty Iniquity Lord's Orders Punishment Sin Sinneth Sins Soul Unaware Wist Wrong
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Bear Commanded Commandments Commands Commit Forbidden Guilty Iniquity Lord's Orders Punishment Sin Sinneth Sins Soul Unaware Wist 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 inherent part of human nature, emphasizing the need for atonement and the grace of God in providing a means for reconciliation.

and violates
The term "violates" is derived from the Hebrew "עָשָׂה" (asah), meaning to do or to act. This implies an action that goes against the established commandments. It highlights the active nature of sin, not just as a passive state but as a deliberate or inadvertent action that disrupts the divine order.

any of the LORD’s commandments
The "commandments" refer to the "מִצְוֹת" (mitzvot) given by God to the Israelites. These are not merely rules but divine instructions meant to guide the community in holiness and righteousness. The phrase underscores the comprehensive nature of God's law, covering all aspects of life and requiring full obedience.

even though he was unaware
This phrase addresses sins committed in ignorance, known as "שְׁגָגָה" (shegagah) in Hebrew. It reflects the understanding that ignorance does not exempt one from guilt. The ancient Israelites recognized that sin, whether intentional or unintentional, disrupts the relationship with God and requires atonement. This highlights God's justice and the need for continual awareness and education in His laws.

he is guilty
The declaration of guilt, "אָשֵׁם" (asham), signifies a legal and spiritual state of culpability. In the biblical context, guilt is not just a feeling but a condition that necessitates rectification. This phrase emphasizes the seriousness of sin and the inevitable accountability before God, reinforcing the need for a sacrificial system to address sin.

and shall bear his punishment
The Hebrew "וְנָשָׂא עֲוֹנוֹ" (venasa avono) translates to bearing the iniquity or punishment. This reflects the principle of personal responsibility for one's actions. In the sacrificial system, this often meant offering a sacrifice to atone for the sin. The phrase serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the merciful provision of God for atonement through prescribed offerings.

(17) And if a soul sin.--To guard the Israelites most effectually against making profane use of anything dedicated to the sanctuary and its service, it is here further enacted in Leviticus 5:17-19, that a trespass offering is to be brought when a man only suspects that he had used things which belonged to the Lord, though he can no longer remember what particular holy property it was, which he used for his own purpose. In the canonical exposition, which obtained during the second Temple, of these sacrificial laws, the trespass offering enacted here is called "The Doubtful Offering," in contradistinction to the one enacted in Leviticus 5:14-16, which is called "The Certain Offering."

These things.--That is, the holy things of the Lord specified in Leviticus 5:15.

Though he wist it not, i.e., is uncertain about it. Thus, for instance, he might be in doubt whether or not his transgression consisted in not delivering the first-fruit to the sanctuary, or in having used some other sacred property. (Comp. Genesis 20:5, &c, 2Samuel 20:1, &c.) . . .

Verses 17-19. Sins of commission may be atoned for by the trespass offering as well as sins of omission.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If
וְאִם־ (wə·’im-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

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

sins
תֶֽחֱטָ֔א (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

and violates
וְעָֽשְׂתָ֗ה (wə·‘ā·śə·ṯāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

any
אַחַת֙ (’a·ḥaṯ)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

of the LORD’s
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

commandments
מִצְוֺ֣ת (miṣ·wōṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4687: Commandment

even though he was
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

unaware,
יָדַ֥ע (yā·ḏa‘)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

he is still guilty
וְאָשֵׁ֖ם (wə·’ā·šêm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 816: To be guilty, to be punished, perish

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

his punishment.
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 5:17 If anyone sins and does any (Le Lv Lev.)
Leviticus 5:16
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