An offering that resembled the sin offering, but was offered especially in cases where restitution could be made for an unintentional sin.
Circumstances for making the guilt offering
Unintentional sin against God
Leviticus 5:17 See also Leviticus 5:15
If someone sins and violates any of the LORD’s commandments even though he was unaware, he is guilty and shall bear his punishment.
Sin against a neighbour where restitution can be made
Leviticus 5:16 Where restitution is possible it is a requirement; Leviticus 6:1–5 A surcharge of twenty per cent was to be added; Numbers 5:5–8 Restitution must be made to God if the wronged person is not accessible.
The nature of the guilt offering
A ram without defect
He is to bring to the priest an unblemished ram of proper value from the flock as a guilt offering. Then the priest will make atonement on his behalf for the wrong he has committed in ignorance, and he will be forgiven.
Regulations governing the offering
See also Leviticus 7:1–6; Numbers 18:9
Other situations requiring a guilt offering
Leviticus 14:12–14 cleansing from infectious diseases; Leviticus 19:20–22 wronging a man by intercourse with a slave girl promised to him; Numbers 6:12 cleansing a Nazirite after contact with a dead body; Ezra 10:19 for returning exiles who had intermarried
Guilt offerings in Ezekiel's vision of the temple
Ezekiel 40:38–39, Ezekiel 42:13, Ezekiel 44:29, Ezekiel 46:20
The death of the ``suffering servant'' is interpreted as a guilt offering
Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush Him and to cause Him to suffer; and when His soul is made a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.