Leviticus 6: Priestly Duties and Restitution - Understanding God's Holiness and Justice
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the Lord, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour;
Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein:
Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found,
Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering.
And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the Lord, a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest:
And the priest shall make an atonement for him before the Lord: and it shall be forgiven him for any thing of all that he hath done in trespassing therein.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt offering: It is the burnt offering, because of the burning upon the altar all night unto the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be burning in it.
And the priest shall put on his linen garment, and his linen breeches shall he put upon his flesh, and take up the ashes which the fire hath consumed with the burnt offering on the altar, and he shall put them beside the altar.
And he shall put off his garments, and put on other garments, and carry forth the ashes without the camp unto a clean place.
And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn thereon the fat of the peace offerings.
The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.
And this is the law of the meat offering: the sons of Aaron shall offer it before the Lord, before the altar.
And he shall take of it his handful, of the flour of the meat offering, and of the oil thereof, and all the frankincense which is upon the meat offering, and shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savour, even the memorial of it, unto the Lord.
And the remainder thereof shall Aaron and his sons eat: with unleavened bread shall it be eaten in the holy place; in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation they shall eat it.
It shall not be baken with leaven. I have given it unto them for their portion of my offerings made by fire; it is most holy, as is the sin offering, and as the trespass offering.
All the males among the children of Aaron shall eat of it. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations concerning the offerings of the Lord made by fire: every one that toucheth them shall be holy.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
This is the offering of Aaron and of his sons, which they shall offer unto the Lord in the day when he is anointed; the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a meat offering perpetual, half of it in the morning, and half thereof at night.
In a pan it shall be made with oil; and when it is baken, thou shalt bring it in: and the baken pieces of the meat offering shalt thou offer for a sweet savour unto the Lord.
And the priest of his sons that is anointed in his stead shall offer it: it is a statute for ever unto the Lord; it shall be wholly burnt.
For every meat offering for the priest shall be wholly burnt: it shall not be eaten.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, saying, This is the law of the sin offering: In the place where the burnt offering is killed shall the sin offering be killed before the Lord: it is most holy.
The priest that offereth it for sin shall eat it: in the holy place shall it be eaten, in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Whatsoever shall touch the flesh thereof shall be holy: and when there is sprinkled of the blood thereof upon any garment, thou shalt wash that whereon it was sprinkled in the holy place.
But the earthen vessel wherein it is sodden shall be broken: and if it be sodden in a brasen pot, it shall be both scoured, and rinsed in water.
All the males among the priests shall eat thereof: it is most holy.
And no sin offering, whereof any of the blood is brought into the tabernacle of the congregation to reconcile withal in the holy place, shall be eaten: it shall be burnt in the fire.
This chapter of Leviticus, Leviticus 6, delves into the practical application of sacrifices and offerings, focusing particularly on the responsibilities of the priests and the process of restitution for sins against one's neighbor. It builds upon the earlier chapters, providing specific instructions for the priests in handling the offerings and highlighting the importance of both atonement and making right with those who have been wronged. This chapter reveals God’s concern for both our relationship with Him and our relationships with others, emphasizing that true holiness encompasses both.
The Guilt Offering and Restitution (6:1-7)
Leviticus 6:1-7 addresses the regulations surrounding the guilt offering, specifically in cases where someone has defrauded or deceived their neighbor regarding property. The offense could involve lying about something entrusted to them, or deceiving someone in business. It underscores the seriousness of such actions. The passage outlines a clear path to reconciliation, emphasizing the importance of honesty and restoration.
The guilty party was not only required to make full restitution for the item or value defrauded (6:4-5), but also to add an additional fifth (20%) of its value. This served as a powerful deterrent to dishonesty and a tangible demonstration of repentance. This principle of restitution highlights a crucial aspect of biblical justice. It seeks not only to punish the offender but also to restore the victim.
Consider the impact if such principles of biblical justice were more fully implemented today. Our prisons might not be so overcrowded, and victims would have a clearer path to recovery. Biblical justice aims to stop the crime and, when possible, provide restitution to the victim. The focus isn't simply on punishment but on making things right.
Biblical restitution was always directed specifically towards the offended victim. Once full restitution was made, God forgave the sin, and the expectation was that the parties involved would move forward. This stands in stark contrast to modern systems where offenders are often warehoused in prisons and victims are left to seek restitution through complex and often unsuccessful means.
Another important principle highlighted here is that an offense is not simply a crime against "society" or "the state," but a personal offense against God and a fellow human being. We often speak of "paying a debt to society," but in many cases, it was an individual who suffered the loss. True justice seeks to address that individual's loss and facilitate healing.
Priestly Regulations for the Five Offerings (6:8-7:38)
The section beginning in Leviticus 6:8 transitions to a focus on the priests and their responsibilities in administering the five offerings outlined earlier in the book (Leviticus 1:1-6:7). This section serves as a supplement, providing detailed instructions for the priests on how to handle each offering. While the order of the offerings is slightly different from the initial presentation, all five are covered.
The Burnt Offering (6:8-13)
God instructs Moses to command Aaron and his sons regarding their duties (6:8-9). While the people were instructed on how to present their sacrifices, the priests were responsible for the actual handling of the sacrifices according to God's specific instructions. Negligence on their part would have consequences, both for them and for the offender who relied on them to perform the rituals correctly. As teachers of the law, the priests were also responsible for instructing the Israelites on the proper offerings to bring to deal with sin and live as a holy people before the Lord.
The instructions for the priests handling the burnt offering (6:9) are relatively concise, as the entire sacrifice was consumed by fire on the altar as a pleasing aroma to God. The priest's primary responsibilities were to maintain the fire on the altar continuously, to slaughter and prepare the offering correctly (as detailed in Leviticus 1:1-17), and to properly dispose of the ashes (6:10-13). The continual burning of the fire symbolizes the continuous need for atonement and the ongoing commitment to worship God.
The Grain Offering (6:14-23)
The priestly regulations for handling the grain offering (6:14) are more detailed, partly because a portion of the grain offering was to be eaten by the priests and partly because this section includes a description of the priest's own grain offering (6:19-23). Only a memorial portion of the grain was burned (6:15); the remainder was to be baked and consumed by the priests in a specific manner – without leaven and in the courtyard of the tent of meeting (6:16). The entire offering was considered especially holy (6:17).
However, the grain offering brought by the priest himself (6:19-23) was different. He was not allowed to eat any of it. The reference to "the day he is anointed" (6:20) suggests that this was a praise offering for God's mercy in providing a mediator between Himself and His people and ensuring the continuation of the priestly line through Aaron's descendants. This points forward to Jesus Christ, our ultimate High Priest, who offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice. Hebrews 4:14-16 reminds us that through Jesus, we have access to God's grace and mercy.
The Sin Offering (6:24-30)
The third section of priestly instructions addresses the sin offering (6:25). A key point is made: "Whatever touches the flesh of the sin offering will become holy" (6:27). This highlights the transfer of sin to the offering and the holiness of the offering itself. Specific instructions were given regarding the washing of clothing stained with the sacrificial blood and the smashing or cleansing of the pot in which the meat was boiled (6:27-28). These instructions emphasize the need for ritual purity and the seriousness of handling the sin offering.
The portion of the meat that the priests were allowed to eat had to be consumed in the courtyard of the tent of meeting (6:26). An exception was made for sin offerings whose blood was brought into the tabernacle to make atonement in the holy place. These offerings had to be completely burned (6:30), signifying a more profound level of atonement.
Leviticus 6 provides a detailed look at the practical application of sacrifices and offerings. It highlights the responsibilities of the priests in maintaining the sacrificial system and emphasizes the importance of restitution for sins against others. The chapter underscores the holiness of God, the seriousness of sin, and the need for both atonement and reconciliation. Through these regulations, God provided a way for His people to draw near to Him and to live in harmony with one another.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the Lord, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour;
Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein:
Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found,
Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering.
And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the Lord, a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest:
And the priest shall make an atonement for him before the Lord: and it shall be forgiven him for any thing of all that he hath done in trespassing therein.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Command Aaron and his sons, saying, This is the law of the burnt offering: It is the burnt offering, because of the burning upon the altar all night unto the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be burning in it.
And the priest shall put on his linen garment, and his linen breeches shall he put upon his flesh, and take up the ashes which the fire hath consumed with the burnt offering on the altar, and he shall put them beside the altar.
And he shall put off his garments, and put on other garments, and carry forth the ashes without the camp unto a clean place.
And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn thereon the fat of the peace offerings.
The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.
And this is the law of the meat offering: the sons of Aaron shall offer it before the Lord, before the altar.
And he shall take of it his handful, of the flour of the meat offering, and of the oil thereof, and all the frankincense which is upon the meat offering, and shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savour, even the memorial of it, unto the Lord.
And the remainder thereof shall Aaron and his sons eat: with unleavened bread shall it be eaten in the holy place; in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation they shall eat it.
It shall not be baken with leaven. I have given it unto them for their portion of my offerings made by fire; it is most holy, as is the sin offering, and as the trespass offering.
All the males among the children of Aaron shall eat of it. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations concerning the offerings of the Lord made by fire: every one that toucheth them shall be holy.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
This is the offering of Aaron and of his sons, which they shall offer unto the Lord in the day when he is anointed; the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a meat offering perpetual, half of it in the morning, and half thereof at night.
In a pan it shall be made with oil; and when it is baken, thou shalt bring it in: and the baken pieces of the meat offering shalt thou offer for a sweet savour unto the Lord.
And the priest of his sons that is anointed in his stead shall offer it: it is a statute for ever unto the Lord; it shall be wholly burnt.
For every meat offering for the priest shall be wholly burnt: it shall not be eaten.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, saying, This is the law of the sin offering: In the place where the burnt offering is killed shall the sin offering be killed before the Lord: it is most holy.
The priest that offereth it for sin shall eat it: in the holy place shall it be eaten, in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Whatsoever shall touch the flesh thereof shall be holy: and when there is sprinkled of the blood thereof upon any garment, thou shalt wash that whereon it was sprinkled in the holy place.
But the earthen vessel wherein it is sodden shall be broken: and if it be sodden in a brasen pot, it shall be both scoured, and rinsed in water.
All the males among the priests shall eat thereof: it is most holy.
And no sin offering, whereof any of the blood is brought into the tabernacle of the congregation to reconcile withal in the holy place, shall be eaten: it shall be burnt in the fire.
This chapter of Leviticus, Leviticus 6, delves into the practical application of sacrifices and offerings, focusing particularly on the responsibilities of the priests and the process of restitution for sins against one's neighbor. It builds upon the earlier chapters, providing specific instructions for the priests in handling the offerings and highlighting the importance of both atonement and making right with those who have been wronged. This chapter reveals God’s concern for both our relationship with Him and our relationships with others, emphasizing that true holiness encompasses both.
The Guilt Offering and Restitution (6:1-7)
Leviticus 6:1-7 addresses the regulations surrounding the guilt offering, specifically in cases where someone has defrauded or deceived their neighbor regarding property. The offense could involve lying about something entrusted to them, or deceiving someone in business. It underscores the seriousness of such actions. The passage outlines a clear path to reconciliation, emphasizing the importance of honesty and restoration.
The guilty party was not only required to make full restitution for the item or value defrauded (6:4-5), but also to add an additional fifth (20%) of its value. This served as a powerful deterrent to dishonesty and a tangible demonstration of repentance. This principle of restitution highlights a crucial aspect of biblical justice. It seeks not only to punish the offender but also to restore the victim.
Consider the impact if such principles of biblical justice were more fully implemented today. Our prisons might not be so overcrowded, and victims would have a clearer path to recovery. Biblical justice aims to stop the crime and, when possible, provide restitution to the victim. The focus isn't simply on punishment but on making things right.
Biblical restitution was always directed specifically towards the offended victim. Once full restitution was made, God forgave the sin, and the expectation was that the parties involved would move forward. This stands in stark contrast to modern systems where offenders are often warehoused in prisons and victims are left to seek restitution through complex and often unsuccessful means.
Another important principle highlighted here is that an offense is not simply a crime against "society" or "the state," but a personal offense against God and a fellow human being. We often speak of "paying a debt to society," but in many cases, it was an individual who suffered the loss. True justice seeks to address that individual's loss and facilitate healing.
Priestly Regulations for the Five Offerings (6:8-7:38)
The section beginning in Leviticus 6:8 transitions to a focus on the priests and their responsibilities in administering the five offerings outlined earlier in the book (Leviticus 1:1-6:7). This section serves as a supplement, providing detailed instructions for the priests on how to handle each offering. While the order of the offerings is slightly different from the initial presentation, all five are covered.
The Burnt Offering (6:8-13)
God instructs Moses to command Aaron and his sons regarding their duties (6:8-9). While the people were instructed on how to present their sacrifices, the priests were responsible for the actual handling of the sacrifices according to God's specific instructions. Negligence on their part would have consequences, both for them and for the offender who relied on them to perform the rituals correctly. As teachers of the law, the priests were also responsible for instructing the Israelites on the proper offerings to bring to deal with sin and live as a holy people before the Lord.
The instructions for the priests handling the burnt offering (6:9) are relatively concise, as the entire sacrifice was consumed by fire on the altar as a pleasing aroma to God. The priest's primary responsibilities were to maintain the fire on the altar continuously, to slaughter and prepare the offering correctly (as detailed in Leviticus 1:1-17), and to properly dispose of the ashes (6:10-13). The continual burning of the fire symbolizes the continuous need for atonement and the ongoing commitment to worship God.
The Grain Offering (6:14-23)
The priestly regulations for handling the grain offering (6:14) are more detailed, partly because a portion of the grain offering was to be eaten by the priests and partly because this section includes a description of the priest's own grain offering (6:19-23). Only a memorial portion of the grain was burned (6:15); the remainder was to be baked and consumed by the priests in a specific manner – without leaven and in the courtyard of the tent of meeting (6:16). The entire offering was considered especially holy (6:17).
However, the grain offering brought by the priest himself (6:19-23) was different. He was not allowed to eat any of it. The reference to "the day he is anointed" (6:20) suggests that this was a praise offering for God's mercy in providing a mediator between Himself and His people and ensuring the continuation of the priestly line through Aaron's descendants. This points forward to Jesus Christ, our ultimate High Priest, who offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice. Hebrews 4:14-16 reminds us that through Jesus, we have access to God's grace and mercy.
The Sin Offering (6:24-30)
The third section of priestly instructions addresses the sin offering (6:25). A key point is made: "Whatever touches the flesh of the sin offering will become holy" (6:27). This highlights the transfer of sin to the offering and the holiness of the offering itself. Specific instructions were given regarding the washing of clothing stained with the sacrificial blood and the smashing or cleansing of the pot in which the meat was boiled (6:27-28). These instructions emphasize the need for ritual purity and the seriousness of handling the sin offering.
The portion of the meat that the priests were allowed to eat had to be consumed in the courtyard of the tent of meeting (6:26). An exception was made for sin offerings whose blood was brought into the tabernacle to make atonement in the holy place. These offerings had to be completely burned (6:30), signifying a more profound level of atonement.
Leviticus 6 provides a detailed look at the practical application of sacrifices and offerings. It highlights the responsibilities of the priests in maintaining the sacrificial system and emphasizes the importance of restitution for sins against others. The chapter underscores the holiness of God, the seriousness of sin, and the need for both atonement and reconciliation. Through these regulations, God provided a way for His people to draw near to Him and to live in harmony with one another.