What restitution is required when someone eats a sacred offering unintentionally? Setting the Scene • In the priestly regulations, sacred offerings (portions reserved for priests from Israel’s sacrifices) were strictly protected. • Even an unintentional misuse violated holiness and required concrete restitution. “If anyone eats a sacred offering unintentionally, he must add a fifth of its value to it and give the offering to the priest.” The Required Restitution • Return the full value of what was eaten. • Add “a fifth” (20 percent) of that value. • Hand the combined amount to the priest, restoring both the holy portion and the priest’s due. Why the Extra Twenty Percent Matters • Tangible acknowledgment that holy things belong to the LORD (Leviticus 22:10–13). • Extra cost underscored the seriousness of even accidental sin. • Guaranteed the priest did not suffer loss. • Demonstrated heart-level repentance through concrete action. Parallel Commands Reinforcing the Principle • Leviticus 5:15-16 — identical formula for other holy-thing violations: offering + 20 percent + guilt offering. • Numbers 5:6-8 — restitution plus a fifth for wrongs against people; when no relative existed, the priest received it, tying the concept back to the LORD. • Malachi 3:8-10 — Israel later rebuked for “robbing” God in tithes and offerings, showing the principle persisted. • Ezekiel 44:28-30 — priests’ portions highlighted again, proving the sacred status of these gifts throughout Israel’s history. New-Testament Echoes • Luke 19:8 — Zacchaeus models heartfelt restitution, repaying more than required; Jesus affirms his response. • Romans 15:27 — Gentile believers willingly share material blessings with Jewish believers, echoing the idea of honoring those who minister in holy things (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:13-14). • 1 Peter 2:9 — believers now called “a royal priesthood,” heightening the call to treat all that belongs to God with reverence. Timeless Takeaways • God values restitution that is concrete, proportional, and prompt. • Holiness is not abstract; it touches daily actions and finances. • Integrity means making things right—even for honest mistakes. • The pattern anticipates Christ, whose once-for-all sacrifice perfectly restores what sin stole and more (Hebrews 10:12-14). |
    |