Leviticus 5:6
and he must bring his guilt offering to the LORD for the sin he has committed: a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering. And the priest will make atonement for him concerning his sin.
and he must bring
The phrase emphasizes the personal responsibility of the individual in addressing their sin. The Hebrew root for "bring" is "בּוֹא" (bo), which conveys the act of coming or bringing something forward. This action signifies an intentional approach to God, acknowledging one's wrongdoing and seeking reconciliation. It underscores the importance of personal accountability in the spiritual journey.

his guilt offering
The term "guilt offering" is derived from the Hebrew word "אָשָׁם" (asham), which refers to a specific type of sacrifice meant to atone for unintentional sins or sins of omission. This offering is distinct from other sacrifices, highlighting the gravity of sin and the need for restitution. It reflects the understanding that sin disrupts the relationship with God and requires a tangible act of repentance.

to the LORD
This phrase indicates the direction and purpose of the offering. The Hebrew name for God used here is "יְהוָה" (YHWH), the covenantal name of God, emphasizing His holiness and the personal relationship He desires with His people. Bringing the offering "to the LORD" signifies an act of worship and submission to His divine authority.

for the sin he has committed
The acknowledgment of sin is crucial in the process of atonement. The Hebrew word for sin, "חֵטְא" (chet), implies missing the mark or falling short of God's standards. This phrase highlights the necessity of recognizing one's transgressions as a prerequisite for forgiveness and restoration.

a female from the flock
The specification of a female animal, either a lamb or a goat, as the offering is significant. In the ancient Near Eastern context, female animals were often considered less valuable than males, making this offering accessible to all, regardless of economic status. This inclusivity reflects God's desire for all His people to have the means to seek forgiveness.

either a lamb or a goat
The choice between a lamb or a goat provides flexibility in the sacrificial system, accommodating the individual's circumstances. Both animals were common in Israelite flocks, symbolizing innocence and purity, which are essential qualities for a sin offering. This choice underscores the principle that God values the heart's intent over the material value of the offering.

as a sin offering
The sin offering, or "חַטָּאת" (chatat) in Hebrew, is a sacrifice specifically designated for atonement. It serves as a tangible expression of repentance and a means to restore the broken relationship with God. This offering points to the seriousness of sin and the necessity of a mediator, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.

And the priest will make atonement for him
The role of the priest is central in the atonement process. The Hebrew word for atonement, "כָּפַר" (kaphar), means to cover or to reconcile. The priest acts as an intermediary, facilitating the reconciliation between the sinner and God. This priestly function prefigures the mediatory work of Jesus Christ, our High Priest.

for his sin
The repetition of the word "sin" emphasizes the focus of the offering. It serves as a reminder of the pervasive nature of sin and the continual need for atonement. This acknowledgment is crucial for spiritual growth and maturity, as it leads to a deeper understanding of God's grace and mercy.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD
The covenant God of Israel, who prescribes the means of atonement for sin.

2. The Sinner
An individual who has committed a sin and is seeking atonement through the prescribed offering.

3. The Priest
The mediator who performs the atonement ritual on behalf of the sinner.

4. The Guilt Offering
A sacrificial offering required for atonement, specifically a female lamb or goat.

5. The Tabernacle
The place where the offering is brought and the atonement is made.
Teaching Points
Understanding Atonement
The concept of atonement in Leviticus 5:6 underscores the seriousness of sin and the need for a mediator. In the New Testament, Jesus becomes our ultimate High Priest and mediator.

The Role of Sacrifice
The requirement of a sacrificial offering points to the cost of sin and the necessity of a substitute. This foreshadows Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the cross.

God's Provision for Sin
God provides a means for reconciliation through prescribed offerings, demonstrating His desire for restored relationship with His people.

The Importance of Obedience
The sinner's obedience in bringing the correct offering is crucial. This reflects the importance of following God's commands in our lives today.

The Priesthood's Role
The priest acts as an intermediary, highlighting the need for spiritual leadership and guidance in the community of faith.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the requirement of a female lamb or goat as a sin offering in Leviticus 5:6 reflect the seriousness of sin and the need for atonement?

2. In what ways does the role of the priest in Leviticus 5:6 foreshadow the work of Jesus as our High Priest?

3. How can understanding the sacrificial system in Leviticus enhance our appreciation for Christ's sacrifice on the cross?

4. What does Leviticus 5:6 teach us about God's provision for dealing with sin, and how can this be applied to our understanding of grace today?

5. How can the principles of confession and atonement in Leviticus 5:6 be applied to our personal spiritual practices and community worship?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Hebrews 9:22
This verse highlights the necessity of blood for the forgiveness of sins, connecting the Old Testament sacrificial system to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.

Isaiah 53:7
The imagery of a lamb led to slaughter connects the sacrificial system to the prophecy of the suffering servant, fulfilled in Jesus.

1 John 1:9
Emphasizes confession and forgiveness, showing the continuity of God's provision for sin from the Old Testament to the New Testament.

Romans 3:25
Discusses Jesus as the propitiation for our sins, fulfilling the role of the sin offering once and for all.

Leviticus 4:27-35
Provides additional context on sin offerings and the role of the priest in making atonement.
Cases of Concealment of Knowledge and Ceremonial UncleannessR.A. Redford Leviticus 5:1-13
Guilt RemovedS.R. Aldridge Leviticus 5:1-13
The Trespass OfferingJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 5:1-13
Pardon Possible to AllW. Clarkson Leviticus 5:5-13
People
Ephah, Moses
Places
Teman
Topics
Atonement, Bring, Committed, Female, Flock, Goat, Lamb, Offering, Priest, Sin, Sinned, Trespass
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 5:6

     4651   goat

Leviticus 5:1-13

     7444   sin offering

Leviticus 5:5-6

     6175   guilt, removal of
     6750   sin-bearer

Library
An Unalterable Law
EVERYWHERE under the old figurative dispensation, blood was sure to greet your eyes. It was the one most prominent thing under the Jewish economy, scarcely a ceremony was observed without it. You could not enter into any part of the tabernacle, but you saw traces of the blood-sprinkling. Sometimes there were bowls of blood cast at the foot of the altar. The place looked so like a shambles, that to visit it must have been far from attractive to the natural taste, and to delight in it, a man had need
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 60: 1914

List of Abbreviations Used in Reference to Rabbinic Writings Quoted in this Work.
THE Mishnah is always quoted according to Tractate, Chapter (Pereq) and Paragraph (Mishnah), the Chapter being marked in Roman, the paragraph in ordinary Numerals. Thus Ber. ii. 4 means the Mishnic Tractate Berakhoth, second Chapter, fourth Paragraph. The Jerusalem Talmud is distinguished by the abbreviation Jer. before the name of the Tractate. Thus, Jer. Ber. is the Jer. Gemara, or Talmud, of the Tractate Berakhoth. The edition, from which quotations are made, is that commonly used, Krotoschin,
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Sanctification.
VI. Objections answered. I will consider those passages of scripture which are by some supposed to contradict the doctrine we have been considering. 1 Kings viii. 46: "If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near," etc. On this passage, I remark:-- 1. That this sentiment in nearly the same language, is repeated in 2 Chron. vi. 26, and in Eccl.
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

Entire Sanctification
By Dr. Adam Clarke The word "sanctify" has two meanings. 1. It signifies to consecrate, to separate from earth and common use, and to devote or dedicate to God and his service. 2. It signifies to make holy or pure. Many talk much, and indeed well, of what Christ has done for us: but how little is spoken of what he is to do in us! and yet all that he has done for us is in reference to what he is to do in us. He was incarnated, suffered, died, and rose again from the dead; ascended to heaven, and there
Adam Clarke—Entire Sanctification

Christ a Complete Saviour:
OR, THE INTERCESSION OF CHRIST, AND WHO ARE PRIVILEGED IN IT. BY JOHN BUNYAN Advertisement by the Editor. However strange it may appear, it is a solemn fact, that the heart of man, unless prepared by a sense of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, rejects Christ as a complete Saviour. The pride of human nature will not suffer it to fall, as helpless and utterly undone, into the arms of Divine mercy. Man prefers a partial Saviour; one who had done so much, that, with the sinner's aid, the work might be
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Second Stage of Jewish Trial. Jesus Condemned by Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin.
(Palace of Caiaphas. Friday.) ^A Matt. XXVI. 57, 59-68; ^B Mark XIV. 53, 55-65; ^C Luke XXII. 54, 63-65; ^D John XVIII. 24. ^d 24 Annas therefore sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. [Foiled in his attempted examination of Jesus, Annas sends him to trial.] ^b and there come together with him all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. ^a 57 And they that had taken Jesus led him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, ^c and brought him into the high priest's house. ^a where
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Earliest Christian Preaching
1. THUS far we have confined ourselves to the words of Jesus. The divine necessity of His death, indicated in the Old Testament and forming the basis of all His teaching regarding it, is the primary truth; the nature of that necessity begins to be revealed as the death is set in relation to the ransoming of many, and to the institution of a new covenant -- that is, a new religion, having as its fundamental blessing the forgiveness of sins. I do not think this view of our Lord's mind as to His own
James Denney—The Death of Christ

Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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