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Trespass Offering

The trespass offering was a sacrificial system in the Old Testament whereby Israelites made restitution for sins against God or their neighbor, demonstrating the principle that sin requires both confession and compensation.

Overview

The trespass offering (also called guilt offering) addressed specific transgressions requiring restitution, particularly sins of deception, negligence, or violation of holy things. The offerer confessed their sin, made full restitution plus a penalty, and presented a ram or lamb to the priest for atonement before the Lord (Leviticus 5:5-6). This offering emphasized both accountability and restoration of relationships.

Key Scriptures

"But he shall make restitution for the harm that he has done to the holy thing and shall add one-fifth to it and give it to the priest" (Leviticus 5:16, ESV).

"And the priest shall make atonement for him before the Lord, and he shall be forgiven for any of the things that he may have done and incurred guilt thereby" (Leviticus 5:18, ESV).

"But if anyone sins and does what is forbidden in any of the Lord's commands, even though they do not know it, they are guilty and will be held responsible" (Leviticus 5:17, NIV).

Application

The trespass offering reminds believers that genuine repentance includes making restitution where possible and acknowledging accountability before God and others.

Scripture References 40

Leviticus 5:11 Leviticus 5:12 Leviticus 5:13 Leviticus 5:15 Leviticus 6:6 Leviticus 5:6 Leviticus 5:5 Leviticus 5:6 Leviticus 5:10 Leviticus 5:13 Leviticus 5:16 Leviticus 5:18 Leviticus 6:7 Leviticus 19:22 Leviticus 14:12 Leviticus 14:13 Leviticus 14:14 Leviticus 14:2 Leviticus 14:21 Leviticus 14:22 Leviticus 5:6 Leviticus 5:9 Leviticus 5:17 Leviticus 6:2 Leviticus 6:3 Leviticus 6:4 Leviticus 6:5 Leviticus 5:1 Leviticus 19:20 Leviticus 19:21 Leviticus 19:22 Leviticus 5:2 Leviticus 5:3 Leviticus 5:4 Leviticus 5:15 Leviticus 5:16 Leviticus 6:5 Isaiah 53:10 Ezekiel 46:20 Numbers 6:12

Full Topical Reference List 56 total — Nave's Topical Bible

A meat offering by the very poor

Leviticus 5:11 Leviticus 5:12 Leviticus 5:13

A ram without blemish

Leviticus 5:15 Leviticus 6:6

A she lamb or kid

Leviticus 5:6

Accompanied by confession

Leviticus 5:5

Atonement made by

Leviticus 5:6 Leviticus 5:10 Leviticus 5:13 Leviticus 5:16 Leviticus 5:18 Leviticus 6:7 Leviticus 19:22

Cleansing of a leper

Leviticus 14:2 Leviticus 14:12 Leviticus 14:13 Leviticus 14:14 Leviticus 14:21 Leviticus 14:22

Esteemed as a sin offering, and frequently so called

Leviticus 5:6 Leviticus 5:9

For any sin of ignorance

For breach of trust, or fraud

Leviticus 6:2 Leviticus 6:3 Leviticus 6:4 Leviticus 6:5

For concealing knowledge of a crime

Leviticus 5:1

For connection with a betrothed bondmaid

Leviticus 19:20 Leviticus 19:21 Leviticus 19:22

For involuntarily touching unclean things

Leviticus 5:2 Leviticus 5:3

For rash swearing

Leviticus 5:4

For sins of ignorance in holy things

Generally accompanied by restitution

Leviticus 5:16 Leviticus 6:5

Illustrative of Christ

Ezekiel 46:20 Isaiah 53:10

Purification of Nazarites who had broken their vow

Numbers 6:12

Purification of those with issues

Leviticus 15:14 Leviticus 15:15

Purification of women

Leviticus 12:6 Leviticus 12:7 Leviticus 12:8

Sometimes waved alive before the Lord

Leviticus 14:12 Leviticus 14:13

To be slain where the sin offering and burnt offering were slain

Ezekiel 40:39 Leviticus 14:13

Two turtle doves by those unable to bring a lamb

Leviticus 5:7 Leviticus 5:8 Leviticus 5:9 Leviticus 5:10

Was a most holy offering

Leviticus 14:13

Was the perquisites of the priest

Ezekiel 44:29 Leviticus 14:13

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