At first sight the situation described in verses 17-19 seems very similar to the sin offerings mentioned in 4.27-35, except with regard to the animal to be offered (here a ram instead of a female sheep or goat). The similarity probably comes from the fact that the writer here has in mind direct affronts to the authority and honor of the LORD himself (for example, disobedience to the commandments of Exo 20.3-7), and that in such cases there can be no possibility of making restitution or paying interest (see verse 18b). The emphasis on the involuntary nature of the sin (verse 18b) is also better understood from this point of view. The second proposition in this verse focuses on (a) the offering itself and (b) the person presenting the offering. It is because of the person’s guilt that a guilt offering is required.

The expression guilty before the LORD is probably the key to the interpretation of verses 17-19 (direct affront on the LORD), because it is parallel to “a breach of faith” in verse 15 (an indirect affront).

The Hebrew Bible continues Leviticus 5.20-26 at this point, while most English versions follow the tradition of referring to those verses as 6.1-7. Further comments about the two numbering systems are provided at the beginning of chapter 6.

Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René and Ellington, John. A Handbook on Leviticus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1990. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .