Bible Strands
Leviticus 5:1
“If someone sins by failing to testify when he hears a public charge about something he has witnessed, whether he has seen it or learned of it, he shall bear the iniquity.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God addresses the Israelite assembly through Moses, establishing legal procedures for covenant obedience. The instruction targets any individual who possesses firsthand knowledge relevant to a formal accusation.
The words — תֶחֱטָ֗א (te.che.Ta') translates to "it will sin," and עֵ֔ד ('Ed) means "[was] a witness." These terms anchor the verse’s focus on the moral and legal liability of a knowing observer.
The thread — The liability of silent witnesses extends to Leviticus 5:17, which holds unaware violators guilty, and Proverbs 29:24, which condemns those who swear but refuse to testify. Leviticus 7:18 similarly tracks how procedural delay forfeits acceptance.
Why it lands — The text requires immediate disclosure when a person hears a formal charge regarding known events. Failure to speak compels the witness to bear the resulting iniquity.
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
And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he hath seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity.
Cross-references
- Leviticus 5:17 If someone sins and violates any of the LORD’s commandments even though he was unaware, he is guilty and shall bear his punishment.
- Proverbs 29:24 A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the oath but does not testify.
- Leviticus 7:18 If any of the meat from his peace offering is eaten on the third day, it will not be accepted. It will not be credited to the one who presented it; it shall be an abomination, and the one who eats of it shall bear his iniquity.
- Leviticus 19:8 Whoever eats it will bear his iniquity, for he has profaned what is holy to the LORD. That person must be cut off from his people.
- Matthew 26:63 But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to Him, “I charge You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.”
- Leviticus 17:16 But if he does not wash his clothes and bathe himself, then he shall bear his iniquity.”
- Leviticus 20:17 If a man marries his sister, whether the daughter of his father or of his mother, and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace. They must be cut off in the sight of their people. He has uncovered the nakedness of his sister; he shall bear his iniquity.
- Numbers 9:13 But if a man who is ceremonially clean and is not on a journey still fails to observe the Passover, he must be cut off from his people, because he did not present the LORD’s offering at its appointed time. That man will bear the consequences of his sin.
- 1 Kings 8:31 When a man sins against his neighbor and is required to take an oath, and he comes to take an oath before Your altar in this temple,
- Isaiah 53:11 After the anguish of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant will justify many, and He will bear their iniquities.