Leviticus 5:1 - Meaning and Application

The sins described here include three kinds of offenses. The first is hiding the truth after being called under oath to speak fully and honestly. Among the Jews, judges could require not only witnesses, but also the person under suspicion, to give an answer. That was different from our law, which does not force a man to accuse himself. We see this when the high priest put Jesus under oath, and Jesus answered after previously remaining silent (Matthew 26:63-64).

If a person hears the voice of an oath, that is, if he is called to testify under the solemn oath of the Lord, and he refuses to speak what he knows because he fears upsetting a friend or an enemy, he must bear his guilt (Leviticus 5:1). That is a heavy burden. If nothing is done to remove it, it will drag a person down to the deepest ruin. The one who hears the charge and says nothing shares in the sinner’s guilt and harms his own soul (Proverbs 29:24). Anyone ever called to give testimony should remember this law, speak clearly, and avoid twisting the truth. An oath in the Lord’s name is holy and must not be treated lightly.

The second offense is touching something ceremonially unclean, then coming into the sanctuary carelessly or failing to wash as the law required (Leviticus 5:2-3). Even though the touch itself made a person only ceremonially unclean, neglecting the required washing showed carelessness or even contempt, and that brought moral guilt. If the matter was hidden from him at first, once he learned of it, he was still guilty. When God, by his Spirit, shows us a sin or a duty, we must act on that conviction at once and not pretend we never saw it.

The third offense is rash swearing. If a man binds himself by an oath to do or not do something, and later the promise turns out to be unlawful or impossible, so that he is no longer bound to carry it out, he still must bring an offering for swearing so quickly and foolishly. David did this when he rashly swore that he would kill Nabal. Then he had to admit before the angel that it was an error (Ecclesiastes 5:6). He is guilty either way, because if he keeps the oath, he may do evil, but if he does not keep it, he breaks his word. Some people bring themselves into painful traps by their own rashness. Whatever they do, their conscience is troubled, and sin stands before them. Care and watchfulness beforehand would save them from such trouble.

In these cases, the offender must confess his sin and bring his offering (Leviticus 5:5-6). The offering was not accepted without a penitent confession and a humble request for forgiveness. The confession had to be specific. He had to say that he had sinned in that particular matter. David did this when he said, “I have done this evil” (Psalm 51:4). Achan did the same when he said, “This is what I have done” (Joshua 7:20). People often hide behind broad statements. Many will admit in general that they have sinned, because everyone must say that. But they resist admitting the exact sin. Yet if we want to be sure of pardon and better protected against future sin, we must be honest and specific in our confession.

The priest then had to make atonement for him. Atonement, meaning the covering and removal of guilt before God, was not accepted without repentance, and repentance alone did not set the person right without atonement. In our reconciliation to God, both our part and Christ’s part are needed.