This chapter treats of the trespass offering, points at the sins for which it was to be made, and the matter of it; it was for secret sins, and sins of ignorance, such as refusing to bear witness in a known case, Le 5:1 touching unclean things and false swearing, Le 5:2 the things directed to in such cases are confession, Le 5:5 sacrifice of a lamb, or kid of the goats, Le 5:6 and in case of poverty, two turtle doves, or two young pigeons; concerning the offering of which instructions are given, Le 5:7 and if not able to bring them, then a meat offering of fine flour, about which rules are laid down, Le 5:11 and for sins committed through ignorance in holy things or sacrileges, the sacrifice of a ram is enjoined, and satisfaction ordered to be made for the injury done in the holy thing, by adding a fifth part to it, Le 5:14 and for sins committed ignorantly against negative precepts, only a ram is appointed for the trespass offering, Le 5:17.
Ver. 1. And if a soul sin,.... The soul is put for the person, and is particularly mentioned, as Ben Melech says, because possessed of will and desire:and hear the voice of swearing; or cursing, or adjuration; not of profane swearing, and taking the name of God in vain, but either of false swearing, or perjury, as when a man hears another swear to a thing which he knows is false; or else of adjuration, either the voice of a magistrate or of a neighbour adjuring another, calling upon him with an oath to bear testimony in such a case; this is what the Jews call the oath of testimony or witness, and which they say is binding in whatsoever language it is heard:and is a witness; is able to bear witness to the thing he is adjured about:whether he hath seen or known of it; what he has seen with his eyes, or knows by any means: of such a case, the Jews observe , that there may be seeing without knowing, or knowing without seeing, and in either case a man ought to bear witness:if he do not utter it; tell the truth, declare what he has seen or known:then he shall bear his iniquity; he shall be charged with sin, and be obliged to acknowledge his offence, and bring a trespass offering for it: it is said , that the witnesses are not guilty of the oath of the testimony, but in these ten cases; if they are required; if the testimony is concerning goods; if the goods are movable; if he that requires binds himself to pay for their testimony only, in case they bear witness; if they refuse after required; if they refuse in the sanhedrim; if the adjuration or oath is made there by the name of God, or his titles; if knowledge of the testimony goes before the oath; if he particularizes his witnesses in the time of the oath, or at the time of the requirement; and if the oath is in a language they understood.
Misn. Sotah, c. 7. 1. Maimon. & Bartenora in ib. T. Bab. Sotah, fol. 33. 1. T. Bab. Shebuot, fol. 33. 2. & 34. 1. Maimon. Hilchot, Shebuot, c. 9. sect.