Search This Blog

What’s the difference between a guilt offering and a sin offering?


It is a guilt offering; they have been guilty of wrongdoing against the Lord.”  Leviticus 5:19
“Say to Aaron and his sons: ‘These are the regulations for the sin offering: The sin offering is to be slaughtered before the Lord in the place the burnt offering is slaughtered; it is most holy.  Leviticus 6:25
            The differences are very slight, but keep in mind why they are similar.  Both offerings were part of an entire section of Leviticus designed to make sure the people were conscious of their sinfulness, keeping their relationship with God holy at all times.
            But sin is not always “just sin” with an easy to fix, one size fits all solution.
            The Guilt Offerings (Hebrew word asham) always used a ram and covered known and unknown sins against God, his sacred place and vows made in his holy name.  In other words, for sins against God.
            The Sin Offerings (Hebrew word chatta’ath) had different restitutions for different people—the priest, the congregation, a leader and a specific person.  Each had a different sacrifice required (bull/goat, male/female).  The “sins” are more general, both intentional and unintentional.
            For us today, we must remember that Jesus covered every sin and every category/sub-category of sin when He shed His blood on the cross.  It’s good for us to examine our sins and understand their cause, but we should rest knowing that Jesus paid it all.