Confession, of sin

An admission of sin on the part of individuals or groups of people. Genuine repentance and confession herald divine forgiveness.

Confession of sin leads to divine forgiveness

Under the old covenant

Proverbs 28:13 See also Leviticus 16:21 Part of the ritual of the Day of Atonement involved the high priest confessing the sins of the nation, while laying his hands on the head of a sacrificial goat; Leviticus 26:40–42; 1 Kings 8:33–36 parallel 2 Chronicles 6:24–27; 1 Kings 8:46–52 parallel 2 Chronicles 6:36–39; Psalm 32:3–5

He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.

Under the new covenant

1 John 1:8–10 See also James 5:13–16

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us.

Confession of sin accompanied by acts appropriate to repentance

Numbers 5:5–8 See also Leviticus 5:5–6; Ezra 10:10–11; Nehemiah 9:1–3; Luke 19:8; Acts 19:18–19

And the LORD said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites that when a man or woman acts unfaithfully against the LORD by committing any sin against another, that person is guilty and must confess the sin he has committed. He must make full restitution, add a fifth to its value, and give all this to the one he has wronged. But if the man has no relative to whom restitution can be made for the wrong, the restitution belongs to the LORD and must be given to the priest along with the ram of atonement, by which the atonement is made for him.

Examples of confession of sin

On behalf of the nation

Nehemiah 1:5–7 See also Ezra 9:5–15; Isaiah 59:12–13, Isaiah 64:6–7; Jeremiah 14:7, Jeremiah 14:20; Daniel 9:4–14

Then I said: “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion with those who love Him and keep His commandments, let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to hear the prayer that I, Your servant, now pray before You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against You. Both I and my father’s house have sinned. We have behaved corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, statutes, and ordinances that You gave Your servant Moses.

By the people as a whole

1 Samuel 7:5–6 See also Ezra 9:4–7, Ezra 9:10–15; Nehemiah 9:33–35; Psalm 106:6; Jeremiah 3:24–25

Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to the LORD on your behalf.” When they had gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted, and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah.

By individuals

Psalm 51:1–5 See also 2 Samuel 24:10 parallel 1 Chronicles 21:10; 2 Samuel 24:17 parallel 1 Chronicles 21:17; Job 7:20, Job 42:5–6; Isaiah 6:5

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be proved right when You speak and blameless when You judge. Surely I was brought forth in iniquity; I was sinful when my mother conceived me.

Confession of sin to other people

Joshua 7:20–21 See also Luke 15:17–24; James 5:16

“It is true,” Achan replied, “I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I did: When I saw among the spoils a beautiful cloak from Shinar, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.”