Leviticus 5:8
New International Version
They are to bring them to the priest, who shall first offer the one for the sin offering. He is to wring its head from its neck, not dividing it completely,

New Living Translation
You must bring them to the priest, who will present the first bird as the sin offering. He will wring its neck but without severing its head from the body.

English Standard Version
He shall bring them to the priest, who shall offer first the one for the sin offering. He shall wring its head from its neck but shall not sever it completely,

Berean Standard Bible
He is to bring them to the priest, who shall first present the one for the sin offering. He is to twist its head at the front of its neck without severing it;

King James Bible
And he shall bring them unto the priest, who shall offer that which is for the sin offering first, and wring off his head from his neck, but shall not divide it asunder:

New King James Version
And he shall bring them to the priest, who shall offer that which is for the sin offering first, and wring off its head from its neck, but shall not divide it completely.

New American Standard Bible
He shall bring them to the priest, who shall first offer that which is for the sin offering, and shall pinch off its head at the front of its neck, but he shall not sever it.

NASB 1995
He shall bring them to the priest, who shall offer first that which is for the sin offering and shall nip its head at the front of its neck, but he shall not sever it.

NASB 1977
‘And he shall bring them to the priest, who shall offer first that which is for the sin offering and shall nip its head at the front of its neck, but he shall not sever it.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he shall bring them to the priest, who shall bring near first that which is for the sin offering and shall nip its head at the front of its neck, but he shall not separate it.

Amplified Bible
He shall bring them to the priest, who shall offer first the one for the sin offering, and shall nip its head at the front of its neck, but shall not sever it [completely].

Christian Standard Bible
He is to bring them to the priest, who will first present the one for the sin offering. He is to twist its head at the back of the neck without severing it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He is to bring them to the priest, who will first present the one for the sin offering. He must twist its head at the back of the neck without severing it.

American Standard Version
And he shall bring them unto the priest, who shall offer that which is for the sin-offering first, and wring off its head from its neck, but shall not divide it asunder:

Contemporary English Version
Give both birds to the priest, who will offer one as a sacrifice to ask my forgiveness. He will wring its neck without tearing off its head,

English Revised Version
And he shall bring them unto the priest, who shall offer that which is for the sin offering first, and wring off its head from its neck, but shall not divide it asunder:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Bring them to the priest, and he will sacrifice the offering for sin first. He will break the bird's neck without pulling its head off.

Good News Translation
You shall bring them to the priest, who will first offer the bird for the sin offering. He will break its neck without pulling off its head

International Standard Version
He is to bring them to the priest, who will offer a sin offering first. He is to wring off its head without separating it.

Majority Standard Bible
He is to bring them to the priest, who shall first present the one for the sin offering. He is to twist its head at the front of its neck without severing it;

NET Bible
He must bring them to the priest and present first the one that is for a sin offering. The priest must pinch its head at the nape of its neck, but must not sever the head from the body.

New Heart English Bible
He shall bring them to the priest, who shall first offer the one which is for the sin offering, and wring off its head from its neck, but shall not sever it completely.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he shall bring them to the priest, who shall offer that which is for the sin-offering first, and wring off his head from his neck, but shall not divide it asunder:

World English Bible
He shall bring them to the priest, who shall first offer the one which is for the sin offering. He shall wring off its head from its neck, but shall not sever it completely.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he has brought them to the priest, and has brought near that which [is] for a sin-offering first, and has wrung off its head from its neck, and does not separate [it],

Young's Literal Translation
and he hath brought them in unto the priest, and hath brought near that which is for a sin-offering first, and hath wrung off its head from its neck, and doth not separate it,

Smith's Literal Translation
And he brought them to the priest, and he brought near that for the sin first, and broke off its head from the front of its neck; and he shall not divide.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he shall give them to the priest: who shall offer the first for sin, and twist back the head of it to the little pinions, so that it stick to the neck, and be not altogether broken off.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he shall give them to the priest, who, offering the first for sin, shall twist back its head to the little wings, so that it adheres to the neck and is not entirely broken off.

New American Bible
The guilty party shall bring them to the priest, who shall offer the one for the purification offering first. Wringing its head at the neck, yet without breaking it off,

New Revised Standard Version
You shall bring them to the priest, who shall offer first the one for the sin offering, wringing its head at the nape without severing it.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he shall bring them to the priest, who shall offer that which is for the sin offering first, and he shall wring off its head from its neck, but shall not sever it;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he shall bring them to the Priest and he shall offer first for sin, and he shall wring its head against its neck and he shall not sever it:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he shall bring them unto the priest, who shall offer that which is for the sin-offering first, and pinch off its head close by its neck, but shall not divide it asunder.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he shall bring them to the priest, and the priest shall bring the sin-offering first; and the priest shall pinch off the head from the neck, and shall not divide the body.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Sins Requiring a Sin Offering
7If, however, he cannot afford a lamb, he may bring to the LORD as restitution for his sin two turtledoves or two young pigeons—one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering. 8He is to bring them to the priest, who shall first present the one for the sin offering. He is to twist its head at the front of its neck without severing it; 9then he is to sprinkle some of the blood of the sin offering on the side of the altar, while the rest of the blood is drained out at the base of the altar. It is a sin offering.…

Cross References
Hebrews 9:22
According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

Hebrews 10:4
because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Leviticus 1:14-17
If, instead, one’s offering to the LORD is a burnt offering of birds, he is to present a turtledove or a young pigeon. / Then the priest shall bring it to the altar, twist off its head, and burn it on the altar; its blood should be drained out on the side of the altar. / And he is to remove the crop with its contents and throw it to the east side of the altar, in the place for ashes. ...

Leviticus 12:8
But if she cannot afford a lamb, she shall bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. Then the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean.’”

Luke 2:24
and to offer the sacrifice specified in the Law of the Lord: “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

Mark 1:44
“See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”

Matthew 8:4
Then Jesus instructed him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift prescribed by Moses, as a testimony to them.”

Numbers 6:10-11
On the eighth day he must bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. / And the priest is to offer one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering to make atonement for him, because he has sinned by being in the presence of the dead body. On that day he must consecrate his head again.

Leviticus 14:22-31
and two turtledoves or two young pigeons, whichever he can afford, one to be a sin offering and the other a burnt offering. / On the eighth day he is to bring them for his cleansing to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting before the LORD. / The priest shall take the lamb for the guilt offering, along with the log of olive oil, and wave them as a wave offering before the LORD. ...

Leviticus 15:14-15
On the eighth day he is to take two turtledoves or two young pigeons, come before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, and give them to the priest. / The priest is to sacrifice them, one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for the man before the LORD because of his discharge.

Leviticus 15:29-30
On the eighth day she is to take two turtledoves or two young pigeons and bring them to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. / The priest is to sacrifice one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for her before the LORD for her unclean discharge.

2 Corinthians 5:21
God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

Isaiah 53:10
Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush Him and to cause Him to suffer; and when His soul is made a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.

Romans 8:3
For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh,

1 Peter 1:18-19
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, / but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.


Treasury of Scripture

And he shall bring them to the priest, who shall offer that which is for the sin offering first, and wring off his head from his neck, but shall not divide it asunder:

wring off

Leviticus 1:15
And the priest shall bring it unto the altar, and wring off his head, and burn it on the altar; and the blood thereof shall be wrung out at the side of the altar:

Romans 4:25
Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

1 Peter 3:18
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

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Asunder Close Completely Cutting Divide First Front Head Neck Offer Offering Pinch Present Priest Separate Sever Sin Sin-Offering Twisting Wring Wrung
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Asunder Close Completely Cutting Divide First Front Head Neck Offer Offering Pinch Present Priest Separate Sever Sin Sin-Offering Twisting Wring Wrung
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














He is to bring them to the priest
This phrase emphasizes the role of the priest as a mediator between the people and God. In the Hebrew context, the word for "priest" is "kohen," which signifies someone who is set apart for sacred duties. The act of bringing the offering to the priest underscores the importance of approaching God through the means He has established. Historically, the priesthood was a central institution in Israelite worship, serving as a bridge between the divine and the human. This reflects the New Testament understanding of Jesus as our High Priest, who mediates on our behalf.

who shall first present the one for the sin offering
The "sin offering" (Hebrew: "chattat") is a crucial concept in Levitical law, symbolizing atonement and purification from sin. The sin offering was a tangible expression of repentance and the need for divine forgiveness. The priest's role in presenting the offering highlights the necessity of an intermediary in the process of atonement, pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who offered Himself once for all.

He is to twist its head at the front of its neck
This phrase describes the specific ritual action required for the sin offering. The Hebrew verb used here can imply a careful and deliberate action, reflecting the seriousness of the offering. The act of twisting the head without severing it completely is a vivid reminder of the cost of sin and the need for a life to be given in place of the sinner. This foreshadows the sacrificial death of Jesus, who bore the penalty of sin on our behalf.

but not sever it completely
The instruction not to sever the head completely is significant. It indicates a controlled and purposeful act, ensuring the offering is made according to God's precise instructions. This detail underscores the importance of obedience to God's commands in worship. In a broader theological context, it reflects the idea that while the offering is a substitute, it is not the final solution to sin, pointing to the need for a perfect and complete sacrifice, fulfilled in Christ.

(8) And wring off his head.--For the manner in which this was performed see Leviticus 1:15. It will be seen that it is here distinctly ordered that in this operation the head of the bird is not to be severed from its body. Herein it differed from the burnt offering in Leviticus 1:15. At the time of the second Temple, the priest went to the south-west horn of the altar, held the two feet of the bird between two fingers, and the two wings between two fingers, stretched out the neck of the victim to the breadth of his two fingers, and cut it with the nail of his thumb, breaking open the great blood-vessel at the neck.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He is to bring
וְהֵבִ֤יא (wə·hê·ḇî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

them to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the priest,
הַכֹּהֵ֔ן (hak·kō·hên)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548: Priest

who shall first
רִאשׁוֹנָ֑ה (ri·šō·w·nāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7223: First, in place, time, rank

present
וְהִקְרִ֛יב (wə·hiq·rîḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7126: To come near, approach

the one
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

for the sin offering.
לַחַטָּ֖את (la·ḥaṭ·ṭāṯ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2403: An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender

He is to twist
וּמָלַ֧ק (ū·mā·laq)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4454: To crack a, joint, to wring the neck of a, fowl

its head
רֹאשׁ֛וֹ (rō·šōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7218: The head

at the front
מִמּ֥וּל (mim·mūl)
Preposition-m
Strong's 4136: Abrupt, a precipice, the front, opposite

of its neck
עָרְפּ֖וֹ (‘ā·rə·pōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6203: The nape, back of the neck, the back

without
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

severing it;
יַבְדִּֽיל׃ (yaḇ·dîl)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 914: To be divided, separate


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OT Law: Leviticus 5:8 He shall bring them to the priest (Le Lv Lev.)
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