And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he hath seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity.
If someone sins by hearing another person make an oath or curse, and they witnessed it or know about it, but they don't speak up about what they saw or heard, then they will be held responsible for their wrongdoing.
This verse teaches that if you witness wrongdoing and stay silent when you should speak up, you become accountable for that sin too.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Leviticus, which is part of the Mosaic Law given to the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt, God provides detailed instructions on sacrifices, purity, and atonement for various sins to maintain holiness in the community. This verse specifically addresses unintentional sins, such as failing to testify when one has heard an oath or knows about a matter, emphasizing the ancient Israelite value of communal responsibility and truthfulness in legal and social matters. Such laws were essential for upholding justice in a society where personal testimony played a key role in resolving disputes.
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