Introduction to Leviticus 5:1
Leviticus 5:1 is part of the Torah’s legal instructions concerning guilt offerings (אָשָׁם) and the responsibility of bearing witness in legal cases. The verse outlines a conditional scenario where an individual who hears an oath of adjuration (אָלָה) and fails to testify incurs sin and guilt.
This passage is structured as follows:
- An introduction to a general sin condition (וְנֶ֣פֶשׁ כִּֽי־תֶחֱטָ֗א, “If a soul sins”).
- A specific situation: hearing an oath and being a witness (וְשָֽׁמְעָה֙ קֹ֣ול אָלָ֔ה, “and hears the voice of an oath”).
- The obligation to testify (אֹ֥ו רָאָ֖ה אֹ֣ו יָדָ֑ע, “or he has seen or known”).
- The consequence of failing to speak (אִם־לֹ֥וא יַגִּ֖יד וְנָשָׂ֥א עֲוֹנֹֽו, “if he does not report it, he shall bear his guilt”).
This study will analyze the grammatical structure of conditional clauses, the function of legal obligations in biblical law, and the theological significance of personal responsibility in maintaining justice.
וְנֶ֣פֶשׁ כִּֽי־תֶחֱטָ֗א וְשָֽׁמְעָה֙ קֹ֣ול אָלָ֔ה וְה֣וּא עֵ֔ד אֹ֥ו רָאָ֖ה אֹ֣ו יָדָ֑ע אִם־לֹ֥וא יַגִּ֖יד וְנָשָׂ֥א עֲוֹנֹֽו׃
Analysis of Key Words/Phrases
- וְנֶ֣פֶשׁ כִּֽי־תֶחֱטָ֗א (venefesh ki-teḥeṭa)
- Root: חָטָא (“to sin, to miss the mark”)
- Form: Qal imperfect 3rd feminine singular
- Translation: “If a soul sins”
- Function: Introduces a general legal condition, setting the framework for the obligation.
- וְשָֽׁמְעָה֙ קֹ֣ול אָלָ֔ה (veshama qol alah)
- Root: שָׁמַע (“to hear”), אָלָה (“oath, adjuration”)
- Form: Qal perfect 3rd feminine singular
- Translation: “And hears the voice of an oath”
- Function: Specifies the sin condition: hearing a legal oath that requires a response.
- וְה֣וּא עֵ֔ד אֹ֥ו רָאָ֖ה אֹ֣ו יָדָ֑ע (vehu ‘ed o ra’ah o yada)
- Root: עֵד (“witness”), רָאָה (“to see”), יָדַע (“to know”)
- Form: Nominal clause + perfect verbs
- Translation: “And he is a witness, or he has seen, or he has known”
- Function: Establishes the basis of obligation—personal knowledge of a case.
- אִם־לֹ֥וא יַגִּ֖יד (im-lo yagid)
- Root: נָגַד (“to declare, report”)
- Form: Hifil imperfect 3rd masculine singular
- Translation: “If he does not report it”
- Function: Conditional consequence—failure to testify.
- וְנָשָׂ֥א עֲוֹנֹֽו (venasa ‘avono)
- Root: נָשָׂא (“to bear, carry”), עָוֹן (“guilt, iniquity”)
- Form: Qal perfect 3rd masculine singular
- Translation: “And he shall bear his guilt”
- Function: Legal penalty—responsibility for the failure to testify.
Explanation of Grammatical Function
The Conditional Structure Introduced by כִּֽי (“If”)
כִּֽי (“if”) → Common in legal conditions to introduce a scenario requiring judgment.
Followed by an imperfect verb תֶחֱטָ֗א (“sins”) → Describes a hypothetical but possible legal case.
The Hifil Imperfect יַגִּ֖יד (“He Does Not Report”)
Hifil stem → Indicates causation, meaning “to make known, to declare”.
Negative condition (“if he does not”) → Specifies failure to act as a sin.
The Verb נָשָׂ֥א (“He Shall Bear”) as a Legal Consequence
Qal perfect → Indicates a direct consequence of failing to testify.
נָשָׂ֥א עֲוֹנֹֽו (“he shall bear his guilt”) → Expresses personal accountability for silence.
Theological Implications of Legal Responsibility
- The Obligation to Uphold JusticeBiblical law demands truthful testimony, reflecting YHWH’s justice.
- The Guilt of SilenceFailure to speak out is not merely passive but an active transgression.
- Divine Judgment Based on ResponsibilityCarrying guilt (נָשָׂא עֲוֹנֹֽו) emphasizes personal accountability in legal matters.
The Role of Conditional Clauses in Biblical Legal Texts
Leviticus 5:1 demonstrates a structured legal requirement, where a conditional clause introduces obligation, an imperfect verb describes failure, and a perfect verb declares consequence. The Hifil verb יַגִּ֖יד emphasizes active duty, while נָשָׂ֥א עֲוֹנֹֽו underscores the weight of guilt.
Thus, this verse serves as a key text in biblical ethics, showing that silence in the face of justice carries divine consequences.
