Leviticus 5

Leviticus 5:1

5:1-13 The first 13 verses of chapter 5 seem to describe the trespass offering (see v. 6), but it is generally agreed that these verses have to do with two additional grades of sin offering. The reason for not treating them with the trespass offering is that there is no mention of restitution, which was an important part of the trespass offering. (However, it is freely admitted that verses 1-13 are closely linked to both the sin and trespass offerings.) Instead of dealing with various classes of people, these offerings have to do with differing types of sins: Verse 1 describes a man who has knowledge of a crime, and yet refuses to testify after hearing the high priest or judge put him under oath. As a Jew living under the Law, Jesus testified when the chief priest put Him under oath (Mat_26:63-64). Verse 2 deals with the defilement which a Jew contracted by touching a dead body, even if he did not know it at the time. Verse 3 describes the uncleanness contracted by touching a person with leprosy, a running sore, etc. Verse 4 has to do with the making of rash oaths or promises which one later finds he cannot fulfill. The offering itself: There were three types of offerings for these sins, depending upon the ability of the offerer to pay: a female lamb or goatas a sin offering (v. 6); two turtledoves or two young pigeonsone as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering (v. 7); the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour with no oil or frankincense (v. 11). This put the sin offering within reach of the poorest person. Likewise, no one is excluded from forgiveness through Christ. The question arises in verses 11-13, “How can a meal offering serve as a sin offering to make atonement for sin when we know that without the shedding of blood is no remission?” (Heb_9:22). The answer is that it was offered on top of a fire offering on the altar (which did have blood), and this gave the meal offering the value of a blood sacrifice. Duties of the offerer: He first of all confessed his guilt (v. 5), then brought his offering to the priest (v. 8). Duties of the priest: In the case of the female lamb or goat, he offered it in accordance with the instructions for a sin offering in chapter 4. If the offering was two birds, he first offered one bird as a sin offering, wringing its neck, sprinkling some blood on the side of the altar, and draining out the rest at the base of the altar (vv. 8, 9). He next offered the second bird as a burnt offering, burning it completely on the brazen altar (v. 10). If the offering was fine flour, the priest took a handful of it and burned it on the altar of burnt offering. He burned it over other offerings involving the shedding of blood, thus giving it the character of a sin offering (v. 12). Distribution of the offering: The Lord’s portion consisted of whatever was burned on the altar. The priest was entitled to whatever was left (v. 13).

Leviticus 5:14

E. The Trespass Offering (5:146:7)The trespass offering (Heb., ’e3she3m) is taken up in 5:146:7. The distinctive feature of this offering is that restitution had to be made for the sin committed before the offering was presented (5:16). There were several types of sin for which an offering had to be made. Trespass against God: Withholding from the Lord that which rightly belonged to Himtithes and offerings, consecration of firstfruits or of the firstborn, etc. (5:14). Unwittingly committing some act forbidden by the Lord (5:17), and presumably an act that required restitution. “In cases where it was not possible to know whether another had been wronged, the scrupulously devout Israelite would still offer a guilt offering by itself” (Daily Notes of the Scripture Union). Trespass against man: Dealing falsely with one’s neighbor in a matter of deposit or bargain or robbery or oppression (Lev_6:2). Finding a lost article and swearing to a lie about it (Lev_6:3). A trespass offering was also required in the case of immorality with a slave girl who was engaged (Lev_19:20-22), the cleansing of a leper (Lev_14:10-14), and the defilement of a Nazirite (Num_6:6-12). The offering itself: A ram without blemish (5:15, 18; Lev_6:6) or a male lamb in the case of a leper (Lev_14:12) or a Nazirite (Num_6:12). Duties of the offerer: In the case of a trespass against God, he first brought the restitution to the priest, with twenty percent added. Then he brought the animal to the priest at the entrance to the tabernacle court, presented it to the Lord, placed his hand on its head, and killed it. He also removed the fat, fat tail, kidneys, and fatty lobe above the liver. The procedure was the same in the case of a trespass against a neighbor. In both instances, the offerer had to pay the twenty percent penalty, reminding him that sin is unprofitable and costly. Duties of the priest: He sprinkled the blood around the brazen altar (Lev_7:2); he then burned the fat, the fat tail (rump), the kidneys, and the fatty lobe above the liver on the altar (Lev_7:3-4). Distribution of the offering: The Lord’s portion was that which was burned on the altar (Lev_7:5). The officiating priest received the skin of the ram (Lev_7:8). All the priests shared the meat of the animal as food (Lev_7:6). The offerer had no part in the sin or trespass offerings. As has been mentioned, the person bringing a trespass offering was seeking to make amends for some action of his that had caused loss or damage to someone else. Symbolically, the trespass offering points to that aspect of the work of Christ by which He restored that which He took not away (Psa_69:4 b). Through man’s sin, God was robbed of service, worship, obedience, and glory. And man himself was robbed of life, peace, gladness, and fellowship with God. As our trespass offering, the Lord Jesus not only restored what had been stolen through man’s sin, but He added more. For God has received more glory through the finished work of Christ than if sin had never entered the world. And we are better off in Christ than we ever could have been in unfallen Adam. Aside He threw His most divine array, And veiled His Godhead in a robe of clay; And in that garb did wondrous love display, Restoring what He never took away. Author unknown