Bible Strands
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses addresses the Israelites in the wilderness as the Torah outlines specific guilt offerings for unintentional violations of divine law.
The words — The Hebrew term נֶפֶשׁ (nefesh) literally means "anyone," while תֶחֱטָא (teche'ta) translates to "it will sin," framing the transgression as an objective act rather than a subjective choice.
The thread — The principle of guilt for unintentional transgression appears in Leviticus 4:2, Leviticus 4:13, and Leviticus 4:27, where similar provisions address sin committed in ignorance.
Why it lands — The text states that unawareness does not remove liability, requiring the offender to bear the prescribed punishment before atonement is applied.
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 commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the Lord; though he wist it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.
Cross-references
- 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.
- 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 4:2 “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:
- Psalms 19:12 Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Luke 12:48 But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded.
- Romans 14:23 But the one who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that is not from faith is sin.