Bible Strands
Leviticus 4:2
“Tell the Israelites to do as follows with one who sins unintentionally against any of the LORD’s commandments and does what is forbidden by them:
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD commands Moses to instruct the Israelites on the procedure for handling unintentional violations of divine prohibitions. This directive occurs immediately after the opening declaration of Leviticus 4 and precedes the specific sin-offering requirements for various social ranks.
The words — The Hebrew verb דַּבֵּר (da.Ber) functions as a direct command to "speak" or "speak to," marking the formal transmission of the law. The noun נֶפֶשׁ (Ne.fesh) literally means "person" or "life," identifying the individual agent who commits the unintentional transgression.
The thread — The concept of unintentional violation reappears in Leviticus 4:27 for common individuals and Numbers 15:22 regarding corporate disobedience. Psalms 19:12 references the same category of hidden faults, noting human inability to fully discern them.
Why it lands — The text establishes that covenant law provides a structured response for sins committed without deliberate intent. It requires readers to acknowledge that accountability remains active even when transgression lacks premeditation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the Lord concerning things which ought not to be done, and shall do against any of them:
Cross-references
- Psalms 19:12 Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults.
- Leviticus 4:27 And if one of the common people sins unintentionally and does what is prohibited by any of the LORD’s commandments, he incurs guilt.
- Numbers 15:22 Now if you stray unintentionally and do not obey all these commandments that the LORD has spoken to Moses—
- Hebrews 9:7 But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.
- Leviticus 5:15 “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, of proper value in silver shekels according to the sanctuary shekel; it is a guilt offering.
- 1 Samuel 14:27 Jonathan, however, had not heard that his father had bound the people with the oath. So he reached out the end of the staff in his hand, dipped it into the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.
- James 3:10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!
- Genesis 20:9 Then Abimelech called Abraham and asked, “What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought such tremendous guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should not be done.”
- Leviticus 4:13 Now if the whole congregation of Israel strays unintentionally and the matter escapes the notice of the assembly so that they violate any of the LORD’s commandments and incur guilt by doing what is forbidden,
- Leviticus 4:22 When a leader sins unintentionally and does what is prohibited by any of the commandments of the LORD his God, he incurs guilt.