Leviticus 5:15

Authorized King James Version

If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the LORD; then he shall bring for his trespass unto the LORD a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
נֶ֚פֶשׁ
If a soul
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#2
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#3
תִמְעֹ֣ל
commit
properly, to cover up; used only figuratively, to act covertly, i.e., treacherously
#4
מַ֔עַל
a trespass
treachery, i.e., sin
#5
וְחָֽטְאָה֙
and sin
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
#6
בִּשְׁגָגָ֔ה
through ignorance
a mistake or inadvertent transgression
#7
הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ
in the holy things
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
#8
לַֽיהוָ֜ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#9
וְהֵבִיא֩
then he shall bring
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#10
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#11
לְאָשָֽׁם׃
for a trespass offering
guilt; by implication, a fault; also a sin-offering
#12
לַֽיהוָ֜ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#13
אַ֧יִל
a ram
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
#14
תָּמִ֣ים
without blemish
entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth
#15
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#16
הַצֹּ֗אן
out of the flocks
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
#17
בְּעֶרְכְּךָ֛
with thy estimation
a pile, equipment, estimate
#18
כֶּֽסֶף
of silver
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
#19
בְּשֶֽׁקֶל
after the shekel
probably a weight; used as a commercial standard
#20
בְּשֶֽׁקֶל
after the shekel
probably a weight; used as a commercial standard
#21
הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ
in the holy things
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
#22
לְאָשָֽׁם׃
for a trespass offering
guilt; by implication, a fault; also a sin-offering

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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