Leviticus 5

Confession and the offering

And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that he hath sinned in that thing: Leviticus 5:5–6

Confession came with an offering; admitting sin was paired with a sacrifice that made atonement. Today we confess and rely on the blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse us.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · another scripture interprets it of Him · a traditional type, cited

• a type of what is in 1 John 1:7-9 — The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin; if we confess, he is faithful to forgive.

Atonement within reach of the poor

And if he be not able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring for his trespass, which he hath committed, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, unto the LORD; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering. Leviticus 5:7–13

If someone could not afford a lamb, birds would do, and if not birds, a handful of flour. The Lord made sure forgiveness was within reach of everyone. When Mary and Joseph presented the baby Jesus, they brought this humble offering of the poor.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · proposed by the reading

• alluded to by Luke 2:24 — Mary and Joseph offer 'a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons' according to the law of the Lord.

Jehovah

Jehovah — the LORD, the eternal I AM

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Leviticus 5:14

Jehovah, the premortal Christ, gives the law of the trespass offering; verse 19 adds that every such sin is a trespass against the LORD Himself.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4) · another scripture interprets it of Him

• interpreted by 3 Nephi 15:5 — Behold, I am he that gave the law.

Trespass (guilt) offering

If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the LORD; then he shall bring for his trespass unto the LORD a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering: Leviticus 5:15–16

The trespass offering (Hebrew asham) covered wrongs that needed repair. Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would make his soul this very kind of offering for sin.

How we know: another scripture interprets it of Him · a traditional type, cited

• alluded to by Isaiah 53:10 — When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin; the Hebrew word is asham, the trespass offering.