Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 5:11
Tenth part of an ephah - About three quarts. The ephah contained a little more than seven gallons and a half. read more
Tenth part of an ephah - About three quarts. The ephah contained a little more than seven gallons and a half. read more
Guilt removed. The Psalmist cried out, "Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults." To dwell upon the manner in which sin may be committed, and to try to deepen our sense of its flagrancy, is not a pleasant employment, but it is highly necessary. And, blessed be God! a rainbow of cheerful hope spans the dark cloud of transgression; the same page that speaks of sin tells also of forgiveness. I. This chapter reminds the Israelites of several ways in which, without... read more
The trespass offering. This was very much of the nature of the sin offering. Julius Bate translates the word ( אשם , asham ) "guilt offering." Possibly the "sin offering" and the "burnt offering" may be here comprehended under the general expression, "trespass offering" (see Leviticus 5:7 ). We have here brought under our notice— I. EXAMPLES OF the TRESPASS . Leviticus 5:1-4 , Taken in order these are: 1 . Concealing the truth when adjured. 2 . Touching an... read more
Cases of concealment of knowledge and ceremonial uncleanness. They are in some sense trespasses, although not properly under the head of trespass offerings. The ground of guilt is covenant relation violated. We may take this in its twofold aspect— I. As revealing THE POSITIVE VALUE OF THAT COVENANT RELATION . 1 . It separated from the unclean, and therefore enforced holiness. 2 . It maintained society. Man's duty to his fellows was exalted. He must speak the... read more
Pardon possible to all. The requirements of the Law, as stated in these verses, speak of the possibility of pardon for every offender, if he be willing to submit himself to the wilt of God. We have— I. CONFESSION OF SIX . "He shall confess that he hath sinned" ( Leviticus 5:5 ). It is believed that confession was always required from the offerer when he laid his hand on the victim's head. It was a marked feature in the ceremonies of the Day of Atonement; it is expressly... read more
If he be not able to bring a lamb. Sin offerings being not voluntary sacrifices but required of all that were guilty, and the four last-named cases being of common occurrence amongst the poor and ignorant, two concessions are made to poverty: two birds (one to be offered with the ritual of the sin offering, the other with that of the burnt offering), or even some flour (either three pints and a half or three quarts and a half, according as we adopt the larger or smaller estimate of the... read more
The sacrifices to be offered as sin offerings are specified, nor may they be multiplied. They do not differ according to the heinousness of the offense which they are to atone for, but according to the means of the offerer. The moral reason of this was probably to prevent the idea arising that the costliness of the sacrifice might compensate for the greater sin, and that men might sin the more if they were willing to Fay for it by more sacrifices. The difference in the sacrifice appointed for... read more
Special occasions are mentioned on which sin-offerings are to be made with a particular confession of the offence for which atonement is sought Leviticus 5:5.Leviticus 5:1Swearing - Adjuration. The case appears to be that of one who has been put upon his oath as a witness by a magistrate, and fails to utter all he has seen and heard (compare the marginal references. and Proverbs 29:24; Numbers 5:21).Leviticus 5:2-3Hid from him - Either through forgetfulness or indifference, so that purification... read more
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 5:10
He shall offer the second for a burnt-offering - The pigeon for the burnt-offering was wholly consumed, it was the Lord's property; that for the sin-offering was the priest's property, and was to be eaten by him after its blood had been partly sprinkled on the side of the altar, and the rest poured out at the bottom of the altar. See also Leviticus 6:26 . read more