Definition: And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done [somewhat against] any of the commandments of the LORD [concerning things] which should not be done, and are guilty;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Leviticus 4:13. It's a pretty serious verse about sin and responsibility in Israel. Here’s an explanation in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is about when someone breaks a law God gave them – a commandment – and doesn’t know about it. It’s talking about a situation where people are acting against God's rules, even if they don’t realize it. Let’s look at the parts: “And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance…” This means everyone in Israel – all the people under God’s rule – is potentially breaking a law. It’s not just one person; it's everyone. “…and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly…” "Thing" refers to a specific law or commandment. "Hid from the eyes of the assembly" means that the law wasn't being noticed, not obvious enough for everyone to see. It was hidden. “And they have done [somewhat against] any of the commandments of the LORD [concerning things] which should not be done…” This is the crucial part. It says that these people did something that violated God’s laws. "Commandments" are rules that God gave them to guide their lives – like prohibitions on certain actions or behaviors. “which should not be done” This is a general statement about things that are forbidden by God. So, what's happening? This verse describes a situation where people are breaking God’s rules without realizing it. It’s like a shadow – they’re doing something wrong, but they don’t know it yet. The key is that the law is important and God has rules to follow. What Happens Next? This verse sets up a story involving a man named Aaron (a high priest in ancient Israel). He had to bring a goat or sheep to the altar as a sacrifice, because of this transgression. It was a way for God to show that he’s watching over them and that they needed to repent (turn back) and confess their mistakes. In short: This verse is about recognizing when people break God's laws even unintentionally, and it has serious consequences – leading to a sacrifice as a reminder of sin and the need for repentance. --- Do you want me to explain any of these parts in more detail? For example, would you like me to: Explain the significance of the "commandments"? Talk about the purpose of the sacrifice?