Leviticus 5:4 net — or when a person swears an oath, speaking thoughtlessly with his lips, whether to do evil or to do good, with regard to…

NET Bible

"or when a person swears an oath, speaking thoughtlessly with his lips, whether to do evil or to do good, with regard to anything which the individual might speak thoughtlessly in an oath, even if he did not realize it, but he himself has later come to know it and is guilty with regard to one of these oaths–"

— Leviticus 5:4, NET Bible

Read in Another Translation

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Leviticus 5:4 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations
  • KJV

    “Or if a soul swear, pronouncing with his lips to do evil, or to do good, whatsoever it be that a man shall pronounce with an oath, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty in one of these.”

  • ASV

    “Or if any one swear rashly with his lips to do evil, or to do good, whatsoever it be that a man shall utter rashly with an oath, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty in one of these things. ”

  • WEB

    “"'Or if anyone swears rashly with his lips to do evil, or to do good, whatever it is that a man might utter rashly with an oath, and it is hidden from him; when he knows of it, then he shall be guilty of one of these.”

  • DRB

    “The person that sweareth, and uttereth with his lips, that he would do either evil or good, and bindeth the same with an oath, and his word: and having forgotten it afterwards understandeth his offence,”

  • BBE

    “Or if anyone, without thought, takes an oath to do evil or to do good, whatever he says without thought, with an oath, having no knowledge of what he is doing; when it becomes clear to him, he will be responsible for any of these things.”

  • KJVA

    “Or if a soul swear, pronouncing with his lips to do evil, or to do good, whatsoever it be that a man shall pronounce with an oath, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty in one of these.”

Leviticus 5 — Context

1

Additional Sin Offering Regulations“‘When a person sins in that he hears a public curse against one who fails to testify and he is a witness(he either saw or knew what had happened) and he does not make it known, then he will bear his punishment for iniquity.

2

Or when there is a person who touches anything ceremonially unclean, whether the carcass of an unclean wild animal, or the carcass of an unclean domesticated animal, or the carcass of an unclean creeping thing, even if he did not realize it, but he himself has become unclean and is guilty;

3

or when he touches human uncleanness with regard to anything by which he can become unclean, even if he did not realize it, but he himself has later come to know it and is guilty;

4

or when a person swears an oath, speaking thoughtlessly with his lips, whether to do evil or to do good, with regard to anything which the individual might speak thoughtlessly in an oath, even if he did not realize it, but he himself has later come to know it and is guilty with regard to one of these oaths–

5

when an individual becomes guilty with regard to one of these things he must confess how he has sinned,

6

and he must bring his penalty for guilt to the LORD for his sin that he has committed, a female from the flock, whether a female sheep or a female goat, for a sin offering. So the priest will make atonement on his behalf for his sin.

7

“‘If he cannot afford an animal from the flock, he must bring his penalty for guilt for his sin that he has committed, two turtledoves or two young pigeons, to the LORD, one for a sin offering and one for a burnt offering.

Leviticus 5:4 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Leviticus 5:4 say?
Leviticus 5:4 in the NET Bible reads: “or when a person swears an oath, speaking thoughtlessly with his lips, whether to do evil or to do good, with regard to anything which the individual might speak thoughtlessly in an oath, even if he did not realize it, but he himself has later come to know it and is guilty with regard to one of these oaths–”
Where is Leviticus 5:4 in the Bible?
Leviticus 5:4 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Leviticus, chapter 5, verse 4.
Who wrote Leviticus?
Leviticus is traditionally attributed to Moses (traditional). It was written c. 1446–1406 BC.
What is the book of Leviticus about?
Leviticus is Israel's handbook for holy living in the presence of a holy God. It details the sacrificial system, priestly duties, dietary and purity laws, and the festivals — all teaching that sin requires atonement and that God's people are called to be set apart.
What are the major themes of Leviticus?
Leviticus explores themes including Holiness, Sacrifice, Atonement, Priesthood, Purity. These themes shape the meaning and context of Leviticus 5:4.
What translation should I read Leviticus 5:4 in?
Leviticus 5:4 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Leviticus 5:4?
Leviticus 5:4 reads (NET): “or when a person swears an oath, speaking thoughtlessly with his lips, whether to do evil or to do good, with regard to anything which the individual might speak thoughtlessly in an oath, even if he did not realize it, but he himself has later come to know it and is guilty with regard to one of these oaths–” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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