Topical Bible: Guilt-offering

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Guilt-Offering, also known as the Trespass Offering, is a significant sacrificial ritual described in the Old Testament, primarily within the Levitical law. It is distinct from other offerings such as the Burnt Offering, Grain Offering, Peace Offering, and Sin Offering, each serving unique purposes in the religious life of ancient Israel. The Guilt-Offering is specifically addressed in Leviticus 5:14–6:7 and Leviticus 7:1–7.

Purpose and Nature

The Guilt-Offering was instituted to atone for specific unintentional sins that involved desecration of something holy or violations against others that required restitution. It was a means to address offenses that caused damage or loss, whether to the sacred things of the LORD or to one's neighbor. The offering underscored the seriousness of sin, even when committed unintentionally, and the necessity of making amends.

Scriptural Basis

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 to the priest. Then the priest will make atonement on his behalf with the ram as a guilt offering, and he will be forgiven."

This passage highlights the dual requirement of the Guilt-Offering: the sacrificial offering itself and the restitution with an additional fifth of the value. This dual aspect emphasizes both the spiritual and social dimensions of sin and atonement.

Procedure

The procedure for the Guilt-Offering involved several steps:

1. Selection of the Offering: The individual was required to bring an unblemished ram, symbolizing purity and innocence, to the priest. The value of the ram was assessed according to the sanctuary shekel, ensuring that the offering was of significant worth.

2. Restitution: The offender was required to make restitution for the wrong committed, adding a fifth of the value to the original amount. This restitution was given to the priest, who acted as a mediator between the individual and God.

3. Sacrificial Ritual: The priest would then offer the ram as a sacrifice. Leviticus 7:7 notes, "The guilt offering is like the sin offering; the same law applies to both. It belongs to the priest who makes atonement with it."

Theological Significance

The Guilt-Offering underscores the holiness of God and the seriousness with which He views sin, even those committed unintentionally. It reflects the need for both atonement and restitution, highlighting the relational aspect of sin that affects both divine and human relationships. The offering serves as a reminder of the cost of sin and the grace of God in providing a means for reconciliation.

In the broader biblical narrative, the Guilt-Offering foreshadows the ultimate atonement provided by Jesus Christ. As the perfect and final sacrifice, Christ fulfills the requirements of the law, offering complete atonement and reconciliation for all who believe. The principles of restitution and atonement found in the Guilt-Offering find their ultimate expression in the redemptive work of Christ, who restores what was lost through sin and reconciles humanity to God.

Strong's Hebrew

817. asham -- offense, guilt
... Word Origin from asham Definition offense, guilt NASB Word Usage guilt (2), guilt
offering (38), guilt offerings (1), guilty deeds (1), sin (1), wrong (3). ...
/hebrew/817.htm - 6k

819. ashmah -- wrongdoing, guiltiness
... of asham Definition wrongdoing, guiltiness NASB Word Usage bring guilt (1), cause
of guilt (1), guilt (12), guilt offering (1), incur guilt (1), transgressions ...
/hebrew/819.htm - 6k

Library

Leviticus.
... 3. Peace offering, Ch.3. 4. Sin offering, Ch.4. 5. Trespass. (or guilt) offering,
5:1-6:7. 6. Instructions to priests concerning the offerings, 6:8-7 end. II. ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter iii leviticus.htm

Leviticus
... Laws regulating the guilt offering, the priests' share of the sacrifices, the period
during which the flesh of sacrifice may be eaten, the prohibition of the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/leviticus.htm

Entire Sanctification in Type.
... Day of Atonement, the offerings at the various feasts, and innumerable sacrifices
offered for individuals or for the whole people, the guilt offering, the sin ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter iv entire sanctification in.htm

Rejection of Errors
... says concerning the Savior: "Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him
to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/synod of dort/rejection of errors 2.htm

The Synoptic Gospels
... covering," or neutralizing, the offerer's unworthiness to appear before God, and
so, though in a much less degree than the sin- or guilt-offering, as effecting ...
/.../denney/the death of christ/chapter 1 the synoptic gospels.htm

Thesaurus

Guilt-offering (34 Occurrences)
Guilt-offering. Guiltless, Guilt-offering. Guilty . Multi-Version
Concordance Guilt-offering (34 Occurrences). Leviticus ...
/g/guilt-offering.htm - 17k

Valued (27 Occurrences)
... unto the LORD, a ram without blemish out of the flock, according to thy valuation
in silver by shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a guilt-offering...
/v/valued.htm - 15k

Waved (29 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 14:12 and the priest hath taken the one he-lamb, and hath brought it near
for a guilt-offering, also the log of oil, and hath waved them -- a wave ...
/w/waved.htm - 16k

Committeth (22 Occurrences)
... When a person committeth a trespass, and hath sinned through ignorance against the
holy things of Jehovah, then he hath brought in his guilt-offering to Jehovah ...
/c/committeth.htm - 13k

Adding (20 Occurrences)
... he repayeth, and its fifth is adding to it, and hath given it to the priest, and
the priest maketh atonement for him with the ram of the guilt-offering, and it ...
/a/adding.htm - 12k

Sinned (156 Occurrences)
... When a person committeth a trespass, and hath sinned through ignorance against the
holy things of Jehovah, then he hath brought in his guilt-offering to Jehovah ...
/s/sinned.htm - 41k

Slaughtered (72 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 7:2 in the place where they slaughter the burnt-offering they do slaughter
the guilt-offering, and its blood 'one' doth sprinkle on the altar round ...
/s/slaughtered.htm - 29k

Perfect (205 Occurrences)
... When a person committeth a trespass, and hath sinned through ignorance against the
holy things of Jehovah, then he hath brought in his guilt-offering to Jehovah ...
/p/perfect.htm - 47k

Mediation
... features in the ritual of P are the sin offering (chatta'th, Leviticus 4; Leviticus
5; Leviticus 5 6:24-30) and the guiltoffering ('asham, Leviticus 5 ...
/m/mediation.htm - 38k

Mediator (7 Occurrences)
... features in the ritual of P are the sin offering (chatta'th, Leviticus 4; Leviticus
5; Leviticus 5 6:24-30) and the guiltoffering ('asham, Leviticus 5 ...
/m/mediator.htm - 42k

Resources

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

What is a sin offering? | GotQuestions.org

What is a grain offering? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Guilt-offering (34 Occurrences)

Leviticus 5:7
And if his hand reach not to the sufficiency of a lamb, then he hath brought in his guilt-offering -- he who hath sinned -- two turtle-doves or two young pigeons to Jehovah, one for a sin-offering, and one for a burnt-offering;
(YLT)

Leviticus 5:15
If any one commit a trespass, and sin unwittingly, in the holy things of Jehovah; then he shall bring his trespass-offering unto Jehovah, a ram without blemish out of the flock, according to thy estimation in silver by shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass-offering:
(See JPS YLT)

Leviticus 5:16
and he shall make restitution for that which he hath done amiss in the holy thing, and shall add the fifth part thereto, and give it unto the priest; and the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the trespass-offering, and he shall be forgiven.
(See JPS YLT)

Leviticus 5:18
And he shall bring a ram without blemish out of the flock, according to thy estimation, for a trespass-offering, unto the priest; and the priest shall make atonement for him concerning the thing wherein he erred unwittingly and knew it not, and he shall be forgiven.
(See JPS YLT)

Leviticus 5:19
It is a trespass-offering: he is certainly guilty before Jehovah.
(See JPS YLT)

Leviticus 6:5
or all that concerning which he sweareth falsely, he hath even repaid it in its principal, and its fifth he is adding to it; to him whose it 'is' he giveth it in the day of his guilt-offering.
(YLT)

Leviticus 6:6
And he shall bring his trespass-offering unto Jehovah, a ram without blemish out of the flock, according to thy estimation, for a trespass-offering, unto the priest:
(See JPS YLT)

Leviticus 6:17
It shall not be baken with leaven. I have given it as their portion of my offerings made by fire; it is most holy, as the sin-offering, and as the trespass-offering.
(See JPS YLT)

Leviticus 7:1
And this is the law of the trespass-offering: it is most holy.
(See JPS YLT)

Leviticus 7:2
In the place where they kill the burnt-offering shall they kill the trespass-offering; and the blood thereof shall he sprinkle upon the altar round about.
(See JPS YLT)

Leviticus 7:5
and the priest shall burn them upon the altar for an offering made by fire unto Jehovah: it is a trespass-offering.
(See JPS YLT)

Leviticus 7:7
As is the sin-offering, so is the trespass-offering; there is one law for them: the priest that maketh atonement therewith, he shall have it.
(See JPS YLT)

Leviticus 7:37
This is the law of the burnt-offering, of the meal-offering, and of the sin-offering, and of the trespass-offering, and of the consecration, and of the sacrifice of peace-offerings;
(See JPS YLT)

Leviticus 14:12
And the priest shall take one of the he-lambs, and offer him for a trespass-offering, and the log of oil, and wave them for a wave-offering before Jehovah:
(See JPS YLT)

Leviticus 14:13
and he shall kill the he-lamb in the place where they kill the sin-offering and the burnt-offering, in the place of the sanctuary: for as the sin-offering is the priest's, so is the trespass-offering: it is most holy:
(See JPS YLT)

Leviticus 14:14
and the priest shall take of the blood of the trespass-offering, and the priest shall put it upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot.
(See JPS YLT)

Leviticus 14:21
And if he be poor, and cannot get so much, then he shall take one he-lamb for a trespass-offering to be waved, to make atonement for him, and one tenth part of an ephah of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering, and a log of oil;
(See JPS YLT)

Leviticus 14:24
and the priest shall take the lamb of the trespass-offering, and the log of oil, and the priest shall wave them for a wave-offering before Jehovah.
(See JPS YLT)

Leviticus 14:25
And he shall kill the lamb of the trespass-offering; and the priest shall take of the blood of the trespass-offering, and put it upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot.
(See JPS YLT)

Leviticus 14:28
and the priest shall put of the oil that is in his hand upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot, upon the place of the blood of the trespass-offering:
(See JPS YLT)

Leviticus 19:21
And he shall bring his trespass-offering unto Jehovah, unto the door of the tent of meeting, even a ram for a trespass-offering.
(See JPS YLT)

Leviticus 19:22
And the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the trespass-offering before Jehovah for his sin which he hath sinned: and the sin which he hath sinned shall be forgiven him.
(See JPS YLT)

Leviticus 22:16
nor have caused them to bear the iniquity of the guilt-offering in their eating their holy things; for I 'am' Jehovah, sanctifying them.'
(YLT)

Numbers 6:12
And he shall separate unto Jehovah the days of his separation, and shall bring a he-lamb a year old for a trespass-offering; but the former days shall be void, because his separation was defiled.
(See JPS YLT)

Numbers 18:9
This shall be thine of the most holy things, reserved from the fire: every oblation of theirs, even every meal-offering of theirs, and every sin-offering of theirs, and every trespass-offering of theirs, which they shall render unto me, shall be most holy for thee and for thy sons.
(See JPS YLT)

1 Samuel 6:3
And they said, If ye send away the ark of the God of Israel, send it not empty; but by all means return him a trespass-offering: then ye shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you.
(See JPS YLT)

1 Samuel 6:4
Then said they, What shall be the trespass-offering which we shall return to him? And they said, Five golden tumors, and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines; for one plague was on you all, and on your lords.
(See JPS YLT)

1 Samuel 6:8
and take the ark of Jehovah, and lay it upon the cart; and put the jewels of gold, which ye return him for a trespass-offering, in a coffer by the side thereof; and send it away, that it may go.
(See JPS YLT)

1 Samuel 6:17
And these are the golden tumors which the Philistines returned for a trespass-offering unto Jehovah: for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Ashkelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron one;
(See JPS YLT)

Proverbs 14:9
Fools mock at a guilt-offering, And among the upright -- a pleasing thing.
(YLT)

Ezekiel 40:39
And in the porch of the gate were two tables on this side, and two tables on that side, to slay thereon the burnt-offering and the sin-offering and the trespass-offering.
(See JPS YLT)

Ezekiel 42:13
Then said he unto me, The north chambers and the south chambers, which are before the separate place, they are the holy chambers, where the priests that are near unto Jehovah shall eat the most holy things: there shall they lay the most holy things, and the meal-offering, and the sin-offering, and the trespass-offering; for the place is holy.
(See JPS YLT)

Ezekiel 44:29
They shall eat the meal-offering, and the sin-offering, and the trespass-offering; and every devoted thing in Israel shall be theirs.
(See JPS YLT)

Ezekiel 46:20
And he said unto me, This is the place where the priests shall boil the trespass-offering and the sin-offering, and where they shall bake the meal-offering; that they bring them not forth into the outer court, to sanctify the people.
(See JPS YLT)

Subtopics

Guilt-offering

Related Terms

Convict (12 Occurrences)

Unaware (16 Occurrences)

Conviction (10 Occurrences)

Forbidden (20 Occurrences)

Fault (42 Occurrences)

Extortion (14 Occurrences)

Offence (27 Occurrences)

Damn

Offend (24 Occurrences)