Leviticus 4:13

Leviticus 4:13 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

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,

King James Version KJV

¶ And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which should not be done, and are guilty;

American Standard Version ASV

And if the whole congregation of Israel err, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done any of the things which Jehovah hath commanded not to be done, and are guilty;

Bible in Basic English BBE

And if all the people of Israel do wrong, without anyone's knowledge; if they have done any of the things which by the Lord's order are not to be done, causing sin to come on them;

Free Bible Version FBV

If the whole Israelite community goes astray unintentionally, and even though they are unaware of doing what is not permitted by any of the Lord's commandments, they are all still guilty.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And if the whole Congregation of Israel shall sinne through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the multitude, and haue done against any of the commandements of the Lord which should not be done, and haue offended:

Young's Literal Translation YLT

'And if the whole company of Israel err ignorantly, and the thing hath been hidden from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done [something against] one of all the commands of Jehovah [concerning things] which are not to be done, and have been guilty;

World English Bible WEB

“‘If the whole congregation of Israel sins, and the thing is hidden from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done any of the things which the LORD has commanded not to be done, and are guilty;

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And if the whole congregation of Israel shall sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which should not be done, and are guilty;

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And if all the multitude of Israel shall be ignorant, and through ignorance shall do that which is against the commandment of the Lord,

Translation for Translators T4T

‘If all the Israeli people sin without intending to sin, doing something that is forbidden in any of Yahweh’s commands, they will be guilty, even if they do not realize that they have sinned.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 4:13

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Leviticus 4:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וְ/אִ֨ם כָּל עֲדַ֤ת יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ יִשְׁגּ֔וּ וְ/נֶעְלַ֣ם דָּבָ֔ר מֵ/עֵינֵ֖י הַ/קָּהָ֑ל וְ֠/עָשׂוּ אַחַ֨ת מִ/כָּל מִצְוֺ֧ת יְהוָ֛ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא תֵעָשֶׂ֖ינָה וְ/אָשֵֽׁמוּ

וְ/אִ֨ם ʼim H518 if Conj | Conj

כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms

עֲדַ֤ת ʻêdâh H5712 congregation N-fs

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ Yisrâʼêl H3478 Israel N-proper

יִשְׁגּ֔וּ shâgâh H7686 to wander V-Qal-Imperf-3mp

וְ/נֶעְלַ֣ם ʻâlam H5956 to conceal Conj | V-Niphal-3ms

דָּבָ֔ר dâbâr H1697 Chronicles N-ms

מֵ/עֵינֵ֖י ʻayin H5869 eye Prep | N-cd

הַ/קָּהָ֑ל qâhâl H6951 assembly Art | N-ms

וְ֠/עָשׂוּ ʻâsâh H6213 to make Conj | V-Qal-3cp

אַחַ֨ת ʼechâd H259 one Adj

מִ/כָּל kôl H3605 all Prep | N-ms

מִצְוֺ֧ת mitsvâh H4687 commandment N-fp

יְהוָ֛ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper

אֲשֶׁ֥ר ʼăsher H834 which Rel

לֹא lôʼ H3808 not Part

תֵעָשֶׂ֖ינָה ʻâsâh H6213 to make V-Niphal-Imperf-3fp

וְ/אָשֵֽׁמוּ ʼâsham H816 be guilty Conj | V-Qal-3cp

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 4:13

וְ/אִ֨ם ʼim H518 "if" Conj | Conj

This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.

Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather

Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.

כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms

The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.

עֲדַ֤ת ʻêdâh H5712 "congregation" N-fs

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a gathering of people, like a congregation or crowd, often referring to a group of Israelites. It is used in various books, including Exodus and Psalms. The word is about people coming together.

Definition: congregation, gathering

Usage: Occurs in 140 OT verses. KJV: assembly, company, congregation, multitude, people, swarm. Compare H5713 (עֵדָה). See also: Exodus 12:3; Numbers 20:1; Psalms 1:5.

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ Yisrâʼêl H3478 "Israel" N-proper

Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.

Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile

Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.

יִשְׁגּ֔וּ shâgâh H7686 "to wander" V-Qal-Imperf-3mp

This word means to wander or stray, often used to describe someone who has made a moral mistake or is drunk, like in Proverbs 5:23. It can also mean to lead someone astray.

Definition: 1) to go astray, stray, err 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to err, stray 1a2) to swerve, meander, reel, roll, be intoxicated, err (in drunkenness) 1a3) to go astray (morally) 1a4) to commit sin of ignorance or inadvertence, err (ignorantly) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to lead astray 1b2) to lead astray, mislead (mentally) 1b3) to lead astray (morally)

Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: (cause to) go astray, deceive, err, be ravished, sin through ignorance, (let, make to) wander. See also: Leviticus 4:13; Psalms 119:118; Psalms 119:10.

וְ/נֶעְלַ֣ם ʻâlam H5956 "to conceal" Conj | V-Niphal-3ms

This Hebrew word means to hide or conceal something from view. It appears in various forms, including being hidden or keeping a secret. In the Bible, it is used to describe hiding oneself or something from others.

Definition: 1) to conceal, hide, be hidden, be concealed, be secret 1a) (Qal) secret (participle) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be concealed 1b2) concealed, dissembler (participle) 1c) (Hiphil) to conceal, hide 1d) (Hithpael) to hide oneself

Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any ways, blind, dissembler, hide (self), secret (thing). See also: Leviticus 4:13; Job 6:16; Psalms 10:1.

דָּבָ֔ר dâbâr H1697 "Chronicles" N-ms

A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.

Definition: This name means word, speaking

Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.

מֵ/עֵינֵ֖י ʻayin H5869 "eye" Prep | N-cd

This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.

Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.

הַ/קָּהָ֑ל qâhâl H6951 "assembly" Art | N-ms

A group of people gathered together, like the congregation in Solomon's temple or a crowd in the streets of Jerusalem.

Definition: 1) assembly, company, congregation, convocation 1a) assembly 1a1) for evil counsel, war or invasion, religious purposes 1b) company (of returning exiles) 1c) congregation 1c1) as organised body

Usage: Occurs in 116 OT verses. KJV: assembly, company, congregation, multitude. See also: Genesis 28:3; 2 Chronicles 28:14; Psalms 22:23.

וְ֠/עָשׂוּ ʻâsâh H6213 "to make" Conj | V-Qal-3cp

This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.

Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made

Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.

אַחַ֨ת ʼechâd H259 "one" Adj

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.

Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)

Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.

מִ/כָּל kôl H3605 "all" Prep | N-ms

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

מִצְוֺ֧ת mitsvâh H4687 "commandment" N-fp

This Hebrew word means a command or law given by God or humans, as seen in the Bible's rules and guidelines. It appears in books like Exodus and Deuteronomy. The commandments guide people's actions.

Definition: 1) commandment 1a) commandment (of man) 1b) the commandment (of God) 1c) commandment (of code of wisdom)

Usage: Occurs in 177 OT verses. KJV: (which was) commanded(-ment), law, ordinance, precept. See also: Genesis 26:5; 1 Chronicles 28:8; Psalms 19:9.

יְהוָ֛ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper

Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.

אֲשֶׁ֥ר ʼăsher H834 "which" Rel

This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.

Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when

Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.

לֹא lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.

תֵעָשֶׂ֖ינָה ʻâsâh H6213 "to make" V-Niphal-Imperf-3fp

וְ/אָשֵֽׁמוּ ʼâsham H816 "be guilty" Conj | V-Qal-3cp

To be guilty means to have done something wrong and deserve punishment, as seen in the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:8-10.

Definition: 1) to offend, be guilty, trespass 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do wrong, offend, trespass, commit an offense, do injury 1a2) to be or become guilty 1a3) to be held guilty 1a4) to be incriminated 1b) (Niphal) to suffer punishment 1c) (Hiphil) to declare guilty 2) (TWOT) to be desolate, acknowledge offense

Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] certainly, be(-come, made) desolate, destroy, [idiom] greatly, be(-come, found, hold) guilty, offend (acknowledge offence), trespass. See also: Leviticus 4:13; Psalms 34:23; Psalms 5:11.

Study Notes — Leviticus 4:13

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Leviticus 4:13 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 4:13
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 4:13
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 4:13
Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 4:13
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 4:13
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Leviticus 4:13
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 4:13
Barnes' Notes on Leviticus 4:13
Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 4:13
Sermons on Leviticus 4:13

Context — Laws for Sin Offerings

11But the hide of the bull and all its flesh, with its head and legs and its entrails and dung— 12all the rest of the bull—he must take outside the camp to a ceremonially clean place where the ashes are poured out, and there he must burn it on a wood fire on the ash heap.

13Now 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,

14when they become aware of the sin they have committed, then the assembly must bring a young bull as a sin offering and present it before the Tent of Meeting. 15The elders of the congregation are to lay their hands on the bull’s head before the LORD, and it shall be slaughtered before the LORD.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	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.
2	Leviticus 5:2–5	Or if a person touches anything unclean—whether the carcass of any unclean wild animal or livestock or crawling creature—even if he is unaware of it, he is unclean and guilty. Or if he touches human uncleanness—anything by which one becomes unclean—even if he is unaware of it, when he realizes it, he is guilty. Or if someone swears thoughtlessly with his lips to do anything good or evil—in whatever matter a man may rashly pronounce an oath—even if he is unaware of it, when he realizes it, he is guilty in the matter. If someone incurs guilt in one of these ways, he must confess the sin he has committed,
3	Hosea 5:15	Then I will return to My place until they admit their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”
4	Leviticus 6:4	once he has sinned and becomes guilty, he must return what he has stolen or taken by extortion, or the deposit entrusted to him, or the lost property he found,
5	Hebrews 10:26–29	If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished who has trampled on the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
6	Numbers 15:24–29	and if it was done unintentionally without the knowledge of the congregation, then the whole congregation is to prepare one young bull as a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD, with its grain offering and drink offering according to the regulation, and one male goat as a sin offering. The priest is to make atonement for the whole congregation of Israel, so that they may be forgiven; for the sin was unintentional and they have brought to the LORD an offering made by fire and a sin offering, presented before the LORD for their unintentional sin. Then the whole congregation of Israel and the foreigners residing among them will be forgiven, since it happened to all the people unintentionally. Also, if one person sins unintentionally, he is to present a year-old female goat as a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement before the LORD on behalf of the person who erred by sinning unintentionally; and when atonement has been made for him, he will be forgiven. You shall have the same law for the one who acts in error, whether he is a native-born Israelite or a foreigner residing among you.
7	1 Corinthians 11:27	Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.
8	Ezra 10:19	They pledged to send their wives away, and for their guilt they presented a ram from the flock as a guilt offering.
9	Joshua 7:24–26	Then Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the cloak, the bar of gold, his sons and daughters, his oxen and donkeys and sheep, his tent, and everything else he owned, and brought them to the Valley of Achor. “Why have you brought this trouble upon us?” said Joshua. “Today the LORD will bring trouble upon you!” And all Israel stoned him to death. Then they stoned the others and burned their bodies. And they heaped over Achan a large pile of rocks that remains to this day. So the LORD turned from His burning anger. Therefore that place is called the Valley of Achor to this day.
10	1 Timothy 1:13	I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy.

Leviticus 4:13 Summary

This verse talks about what happens when the entire community of God's people unintentionally disobeys one of God's commands, without even realizing it, as described in Leviticus 4:13. When they finally become aware of their sin, they must take steps to make things right with God, as outlined in Leviticus 4:14. This process involves acknowledging their sin, taking responsibility for it, and making amends, as seen in Psalm 51:1-19, where David confesses his sin and asks for forgiveness. By doing so, they can restore their relationship with God and maintain a sense of community and accountability, as emphasized in Acts 2:42-47, where the early church prioritized unity and mutual support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is meant by 'the whole congregation of Israel' in this verse?

This phrase refers to the entire community of God's people, emphasizing the collective responsibility for disobedience, as seen in Leviticus 4:13 and supported by Numbers 15:26, which highlights the importance of communal accountability.

How can the 'matter escape the notice of the assembly' if God is all-knowing?

This phrase underscores the idea that the community may not be aware of their sin, but God is, as stated in Psalm 139:1-6, and it is only when they become aware of their sin that they can take steps to address it, as described in Leviticus 4:14.

What kind of sins are being referred to in this verse?

The verse mentions 'any of the LORD's commandments' and 'what is forbidden', indicating that it encompasses a broad range of sins, including unintentional violations of God's laws, such as those described in Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21.

How does this verse relate to the concept of corporate guilt?

This verse highlights the idea that the entire community can be held accountable for the sins of its members, even if the sin was unintentional, as seen in Joshua 7:1-26, where the entire nation of Israel suffered consequences for the actions of one man, Achan.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways in which I may be unintentionally violating God's commandments in my own life?
How can I cultivate a greater sense of awareness and sensitivity to the sins that may be present in my community?
What role do I play in holding my fellow believers accountable for their actions, and how can I do this in a loving and constructive way?
In what ways can I apply the principles of corporate guilt and collective responsibility to my own relationships and community?

Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 4:13

And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance,.... That is, all Israel, or the greatest part of them, as Gersom interprets it, through the ignorant teaching of the judges, who by

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 4:13

And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 4:13

The whole congregation; the body of the people, or the greater part of them, their rulers concurring with them.

Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 4:13

Leviticus 4:13 And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done [somewhat against] any of the commandments of the LORD [concerning things] which should not be done, and are guilty;Ver. 13. And if the whole congregation.] Particular congregations, then, may err for a season; though not finally, fundamentally, if they be "the congregation of saints," and not "the congregation of hypocrites," the Church malignant. And they have done somewhat.] Either by transgression or disobedience, omission or commission.

Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 4:13

(13) And if the whole congregation.—As the whole Church, in its corporate body, is no more exempt from human frailty than its highest spiritual chief, the law now prescribes the sin offering for the congregation (Leviticus 4:13-21). The case here assumed is that of the whole congregation having ignorantly committed some act which at the time of its committal they believed to be lawful, but which they afterwards discovered to be sinful. The two terms respectively rendered in the Authorised Version by congregation and assembly denote the same body of people, and are used interchangeably, so that the same congregation or assembly which inadvertently committed the sin afterwards recognised it. (Comp. Numbers 15:24-26.) An instance of such a national and congregational sin is recorded in 1 Samuel 14:32, where we are told that the Israelites, after smiting the Philistines, “flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground, and the people did eat them with the blood.” According to the ancient interpretation, however, which obtained at the time of Christ, “the whole congregation of Israel” and “the assembly” here spoken of denote the great Sanhedrin, the representatives of the people, who, through error, might proclaim a decree calculated to mislead the nation, thus accounting for the apparent discrepancy between this passage and Numbers 15:22-26.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Leviticus 4:13

Verse 13. If the whole congregation of Israel sin] This probably refers to some oversight in acts of religious worship, or to some transgression of the letter of the law, which arose out of the peculiar circumstances in which they were then found, such as the case mentioned 1 Samuel 14:32, c., where the people, through their long and excessive fatigue in their combat with the Philistines, being faint, flew on the spoil, and took sheep, oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground, and did eat with the blood and this was partly occasioned by the rash adjuration of Saul, mentioned 1 Samuel 14:24: Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening. The sacrifices and rites in this case were the same as those prescribed in the preceding, only here the elders of the congregation, i. e., three of the sanhedrim, according to Maimonides, laid their hands on the head of the victim in the name of all the congregation.

Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 4:13

13–21. The Sin-Offering for the congregation, a bullock

Barnes' Notes on Leviticus 4:13

Congregation ... assembly - Each of the Hebrew words signifies the people in a collected body. It does not appear that there is any difference between them in the connection in which they are here used.

Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 4:13

SIN OF THE , Leviticus 4:13-21.13. Whole congregation… sin — It is not to be supposed that so great a multitude should each be guilty of the same inadvertent sin, except it be some defect in worship

Sermons on Leviticus 4:13

	Sermon	Description
	Acts 2_pt2 by Bill Gallatin	In this sermon, Pastor Bill Gallatin discusses the story of Peter and John healing a crippled man at the gate called Beautiful. The man was begging for money, but Peter tells him t
	No Sins of Ignorance by Daniel Steele	Daniel Steele preaches about the concept of unavoidable infirmities and ignorances not needing expiation, citing examples from Hebrews and Leviticus to emphasize the importance of
	(Following the Footsteps of Christ) the First Saying on the Cross by Willie Mullan	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of perseverance in prayer, using the example of Daniel from the Bible. He highlights how Daniel mourned and fasted for three
	Hosea #3 Ch. 4-5 Israel's Willful Ignorance by Chuck Missler	In this sermon on the book of Hosea, the speaker begins by highlighting the broken home of Israel as a result of their adulterous relationship with God. The focus then shifts to ch
	Dvd 16 the Time of Jacobs Trouble by Art Katz	This sermon delves into the prophetic insights regarding God's dealings with the Jewish people in the last days, focusing on the time of Jacob's trouble as foretold in Jeremiah 30.
	Our Need of Personal Revival by Denny Kenaston	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of pacing oneself in the Christian journey, comparing it to running a marathon rather than a short sprint. He highlights the n
	Busyness Leads to God Hiding Himself? Ask Pastor Tim by Tim Conway	This sermon addresses the struggle of feeling distant from God, especially in the busyness of life, where priorities like school, work, and personal goals can overshadow seeking Go