Leviticus 6
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Laws relative to detention of property entrusted to the care of another, to robbery, and deceit, Lev 6:1, Lev 6:2; finding of goods lost, keeping them from their owner, and swearing falsely, Lev 6:3. Such a person shall not only restore what he has thus unlawfully gotten, but shall add a fifth part of the value of the property besides, Lev 6:4, Lev 6:5; and bring a ram without blemish, for a trespass-offering to the Lord, Lev 6:6, Lev 6:7. Laws relative to the burnt-offering and the perpetual fire, Lev 6:8-13. Law of the meat-offering, and who may lawfully eat of it, Lev 6:14-18. Laws relative to the offerings of Aaron and his sons and their successors, on the day of their anointing, Lev 6:19-23. Laws relative to the sin-offering, and those who might eat of it, Lev 6:24-30.
Open source ↗TRESPASS OFFERING FOR SINS DONE WITTINGLY. (Lev 6:1-7) If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the Lord--This law, the record of which should have been joined with the previous chapter, was given concerning things stolen, fraudulently gotten, or wrongfully kept. The offender was enjoined to make restitution of the articles to the rightful owner, along with a fifth part out of his own possessions. But it was not enough thus to repair the injury done to a neighbor and to society; he was required to bring a trespass offering, as a token of sorrow and penitence for having hurt the cause of religion and of God. That trespass offering was a ram without blemish, which was to be made on the altar of burnt offerings, and the flesh belonged to the priests. This penalty was equivalent to a mitigated fine; but being associated with a sacred duty, the form in which the fine was inflicted served the important purpose of rousing attention to the claims and reviving a sense of responsibility to God.
Open source ↗And the Lord spake unto Moses,.... Continuing his speech with him, for the same law of the trespass offering is still discoursed of, only with respect to different persons: saying: as follows.
Open source ↗(Ch. 5:14-6:7) (Note: In the original the division of verses in the Hebrew text is followed; but we have thought it better to keep to the arrangement adopted in our English version. - Tr.) The Trespass-Offerings. - These were presented for special sins, by which a person had contracted guilt, and therefore they are not included in the general festal sacrifices. Three kinds of offences are mentioned in this section as requiring trespass-offerings. The first is, "if a soul commit a breach of trust, and sin in going wrong in the holy gifts of Jehovah." מעל, lit., to cover, hence מעיל the cloak, over-coat, signifies to act secretly, unfaithfully, especially against Jehovah, either by falling away from Him into idolatry, by which the fitting honour was withheld from Jehovah (Lev 26:40; Deu 32:51; Jos 22:16), or by infringing upon His rights, abstracting something that rightfully belonged to Him. Thus in Jos 7:1; Jos 22:20, it is applied to fraud in relation to that which had been put under the ban; and in Num 5:12, Num 5:27,it is also applied to a married woman's unfaithfulness to her husband: so that sin was called מעל, when regarded as a violation of existing rights. "The holy things of Jehovah" were the holy gifts, sacrifices, first-fruits, tithes, etc., which were to be offered to Jehovah, and were assigned by Him to the priests for their revenue (see Lev 21:22). חטא with מן is constructio praegnans: to sin in anything by taking away from Jehovah that which belonged to Him. בּשׁגגה, in error (see Lev 4:2): i.e., in a forgetful or negligent way. Whoever sinned in this way was to offer to the Lord as his guilt (see Lev 5:6) a ram from the flock without blemish for a trespass-offering (lit., guilt-offering), according to the estimate of Moses, whose place was afterwards tak…
Open source ↗This is the latter part of the law of the trespass-offering: the former part, which concerned trespasses about holy things, we had in the close of the foregoing chapter; this concerns trespasses in common things. Observe here, I. The trespass supposed, Lev 6:2, Lev 6:3. Though all the instances relate to our neighbour, yet it is called a trespass against the Lord, because, though the injury be done immediately to our neighbour, yet an affront is thereby given to his Maker and our Master. He that speaks evil of his brother is said to speak evil of the law, and consequently of the Law-maker, Jam 4:11. Though the person injured be ever so mean and despicable, and every way our inferior, yet the injury reflects upon that God who has made the command of loving our neighbour second to that of loving himself. The trespasses specified are, 1. Denying a trust: If a man lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or, which is worse, which was lent him for his use. If we claim that as our own which is only borrowed, left in our custody, or committed to our care, this is a trespass against the Lord, who, for the benefit of human society, will have property and truth maintained. 2. Defrauding a partner: If a man lie in fellowship, claiming a sole interest in that wherein he has but a joint-interest. 3. Disowning a manifest wrong: If a man has the front to lie in a thing taken away by violence, which ordinarily cannot be hid. 4. Deceiving in commerce, or, as some think, by false accusation; if a man have deceitfully oppressed his neighbour, as some read it, either withholding what is due or extorting what is not. 5. Detaining what is found, and denying it (Lev 6:3); if a man have found that which was lost, he must not call it his own presently, but endeavour to fi…
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… חָטָא (châṭâʼ, H2398) — properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit,… מָעַל (mâʻal, H4603) — properly, to cover up; used only figuratively, to act covertly, i.e. treacherously מַעַל (maʻal, H4604) — treachery, i.e. sin יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God כָּחַשׁ (kâchash, H3584) — to be untrue, in word (to lie, feign, disown) or deed (to disappoint, fail, cringe) עָמִית (ʻâmîyth, H5997) — companionship; hence (concretely) a comrade or kindred man פִּקָּדוֹן (piqqâdôwn, H6487) — a deposit תְּשׂוּמֶת (tᵉsûwmeth, H8667) — a deposit, i.e. pledging יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), גָּזֵל (gâzêl, H1498) — robbery, or (concretely) plunder עָשַׁק (ʻâshaq, H6231) — to press upon, i.e. oppress, defraud, violate, overflow
Open source ↗מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… אֲבֵדָה (ʼăbêdâh, H9) — concrete, something lost; abstract, destruction, i.e. Hades כָּחַשׁ (kâchash, H3584) — to be untrue, in word (to lie, feign, disown) or deed (to disappoint, fail, cringe) שָׁבַע (shâbaʻ, H7650) — to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times) שֶׁקֶר (sheqer, H8267) — an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial) אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application חָטָא (châṭâʼ, H2398) — properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit,… הֵנָּה (hênnâh, H2007) — themselves (often used emphatic for the copula, also in indirect relation)
Open source ↗חָטָא (châṭâʼ, H2398) — properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit,… אָשַׁם (ʼâsham, H816) — to be guilty; by implication to be punished or perish שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… גְּזֵלָה (gᵉzêlâh, H1500) — {robbery, or (concretely) plunder} גָּזַל (gâzal, H1497) — to pluck off; specifically to flay, strip or rob עֹשֶׁק (ʻôsheq, H6233) — injury, fraud, (subjectively) distress, (concretely) unjust gain עָשַׁק (ʻâshaq, H6231) — to press upon, i.e. oppress, defraud, violate, overflow פִּקָּדוֹן (piqqâdôwn, H6487) — a deposit אֵת (ʼêth, H853) — properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or… פָּקַד (pâqad, H6485) — to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care… אֲבֵדָה (ʼăbêdâh, H9) — concrete, something lost; abstract, destruction, i.e. Hades מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or…
Open source ↗שָׁבַע (shâbaʻ, H7650) — to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times) שֶׁקֶר (sheqer, H8267) — an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial) שָׁלַם (shâlam, H7999) — to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed;… רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing) חֲמִישִׁי (chămîyshîy, H2549) — fifth; also a fifth נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… אַשְׁמָה (ʼashmâh, H819) — guiltiness, a fault, the presentation of asin-offering
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אָשָׁם (ʼâshâm, H817) — guilt; by implication, a fault; also a sin-offering יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אַיִל (ʼayil, H352) — properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically a chief (politically); also a… תָּמִים (tâmîym, H8549) — entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) עֵרֶךְ (ʻêrek, H6187) — a pile, equipment, estimate כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a…
Open source ↗כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… כָּפַר (kâphar, H3722) — to cover (specifically with bitumen); figuratively, to expiate or condone, to placate or… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God סָלַח (çâlach, H5545) — to forgive אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application אַשְׁמָה (ʼashmâh, H819) — guiltiness, a fault, the presentation of asin-offering
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch עֹלָה (ʻôlâh, H5930) — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke) מוֹקְדָה (môwqᵉdâh, H4169) — fuel מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar לַיִל (layil, H3915) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity בֹּקֶר (bôqer, H1242) — properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) יָקַד (yâqad, H3344) — to burn
Open source ↗כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… לָבַשׁ (lâbash, H3847) — properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on agarment or clothe (oneself, or… בַּד (bad, H906) — flaxen thread or yarn; hence, a linen garment מַד (mad, H4055) — properly, extent, i.e. height; also a measure; by implication, a vesture (as measured);… מִכְנָס (miknâç, H4370) — (only in dual) drawers (from concealing the private parts) בָּשָׂר (bâsâr, H1320) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the… רוּם (rûwm, H7311) — to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively) דֶּשֶׁן (deshen, H1880) — the fat; abstractly fatness, i.e. (figuratively) abundance; specifically the (fatty)… אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) עֹלָה (ʻôlâh, H5930) — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke) מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… אֵצֶל (ʼêtsel, H681) — a side; (as a preposition) near
Open source ↗פָּשַׁט (pâshaṭ, H6584) — to spread out (i.e. deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip (i.e. unclothe,… בֶּגֶד (beged, H899) — a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage לָבַשׁ (lâbash, H3847) — properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on agarment or clothe (oneself, or… אַחֵר (ʼachêr, H312) — properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc. יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… דֶּשֶׁן (deshen, H1880) — the fat; abstractly fatness, i.e. (figuratively) abundance; specifically the (fatty)… חוּץ (chûwts, H2351) — properly, separate by awall, i.e. outside, outdoors מַחֲנֶה (machăneh, H4264) — an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or… טָהוֹר (ṭâhôwr, H2889) — pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense) מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);…
Open source ↗אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar יָקַד (yâqad, H3344) — to burn כָּבָה (kâbâh, H3518) — to expire or (causatively) to extinguish (fire, light, anger) כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… בָּעַר (bâʻar, H1197) — to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating); to be(-come) brutish עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) בֹּקֶר (bôqer, H1242) — properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning עֹלָה (ʻôlâh, H5930) — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke) עָרַךְ (ʻârak, H6186) — to set in a row, i.e. arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications) קָטַר (qâṭar, H6999) — to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship) חֶלֶב (cheleb, H2459) — fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part שֶׁלֶם (shelem, H8002) — properly, requital, i.e. a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks
Open source ↗אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) תָּמִיד (tâmîyd, H8548) — properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as… יָקַד (yâqad, H3344) — to burn מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar כָּבָה (kâbâh, H3518) — to expire or (causatively) to extinguish (fire, light, anger)
Open source ↗תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch מִנְחָה (minchâh, H4503) — a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar
Open source ↗