Leviticus 5:18

Verse

He 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.

American Standard Version (1901)

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.

Bible in Basic English

Let him come to the priest with a sheep, a male without any mark out of the flock, of the value fixed by you, as an offering for his error; and the priest will take away the sin which he did in error, and he will have forgiveness.

Douay-Rheims 1899

He shall offer of the hocks a ram without blemish to the priest, according to the measure and estimation of the sin: and the priest shall pray for him, because he did it ignorantly: and it shall be forgiven him,

Free Bible Version

You must take to the priest a ram without defects of the appropriate value from the flock as a guilt offering. Then the priest will make right for you the wrong you did in ignorance, and you will be forgiven.

Geneva Bible 1599

Then shall he bring a ramme without blemishe out of the flocke, in thy estimation worth two shekels for a trespasse offring vnto ye Priest: and the Priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his ignorance wherein he erred, and was not ware: so it shalbe forgiuen him.

King James (Authorized) Version

And he shall bring a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest: and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his ignorance wherein he erred and wist it not, and it shall be forgiven him.

One Unity Resource Bible

He shall bring a ram without defect from of the flock, according to your estimation, for a trespass offering, to the priest; and the priest shall make atonement for him concerning the thing in which he sinned and didn’t know it, and he will be forgiven.

Translation for Translators

When you realize what you have done, you must bring a ram to the Supreme Priest to be an offering in order that you will no longer be guilty. You must bring one that has no defects. He will offer the ram to be a sacrifice to me, and as a result you will no longer be guilty for the sin that you have committed, and you will be forgiven.

Unlocked Literal Bible

He must bring a ram without blemish out of the flock, worth the current value, as a guilt offering to the priest. Then the priest will make atonement for him concerning the sin he has committed, of which he was unaware, and he will be forgiven.

Noah Webster Bible

And he shall bring a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass-offering to the priest; and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his ignorance wherein he erred and knew it not, and it shall be forgiven him.

World English Bible

Young's Literal Translation

'Then he hath brought in a ram, a perfect one, out of the flock, at thy valuation, for a guilt-offering, unto the priest; and the priest hath made atonement for him, for his ignorance in which he hath erred and he hath not known, and it hath been forgiven him;

Context

Laws for Guilt Offerings

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. ¹⁹It is a guilt offering; he was certainly guilty before the LORD.”

Summary

Leviticus 5:18 outlines the process of restitution for unintentional sins committed against the Lord in the form of a guilt offering. This offering was required to make amends for the wrong done and to seek forgiveness from God. The verse underscores the importance of acknowledging and rectifying our sins, even those committed unknowingly, demonstrating the need for repentance and reconciliation with God. It reveals God's mercy in providing a way for His people to make things right and restore their relationship with Him. Ultimately, Leviticus 5:18 points to the principle of taking responsibility for our actions and seeking forgiveness as a crucial aspect of maintaining a right standing before God.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And he shall bring a ram without blemish out of the flock,.... See Gill on Lev 5:15. with thy estimation for a trespass offering to the priest; along with the offering was to be brought an estimate of whatsoever damage had been done through the breach of any of the commands of God, where damage could take place, that so recompense be made as before directed; or else the ram brought was to be valued, and examined whether it was worth two shekels of silver, as before explained; see Gill on Lev 5:15 but no fifth was required as in the former cases: and the priest shall make atonement for him concerning his ignorance wherein he erred, and wist it not, and it shall be forgiven him; See Gill on Lev 5:10 this is what the Jews call "Asham Talui", doubtful trespass offering.