Definition: If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour;
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Leviticus 6:2. It’s a really important part of how the Israelites were supposed to deal with something that would seriously damage their relationship with God. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse deals with breaking trust and causing harm to others through dishonesty. It’s about a serious sin that can destroy a relationship with God. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD…” – This means it's a serious sin – something that goes against God's will. It’s not just a small mistake; it’s something that fundamentally disrespects him. “Soul sin” is a fancy way of saying a major transgression. “…and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep…” – This is the key part . “Delivered him to keep” refers to something God gave them – like a sacred object, a promise, or even a trust. “Lie” means to lie, to be dishonest, and “to deceive” means to trick someone. So, this verse says that when someone lies to their neighbor about something God has given them, it's a big problem. “…or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour;" – This lists different types of dishonesty that could be damaging: Fellowship: Lying to someone they’re sharing a relationship with (like friends, family, or even those they're supposed to trust). Taken away by violence: This is a bit tricky. It means harming someone through trickery or deception – like stealing or damaging their property. Hath deceived his neighbour: This is the most direct part: lying to someone who trusted them. What’s the Big Deal? The Old Testament believed that if someone lied to their neighbor about a sacred thing, it would cause God to be angry and punish them. This was a very serious consequence! The verse essentially says that if you lie to your neighbor over something God has entrusted to you, it's a big deal – it could lead to God’s wrath and even the destruction of the nation. In short: This verse is about taking responsibility for dishonesty and causing harm to others through deception. It highlights the importance of honesty and trust in the relationship with God. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in a different way? Give an example of how this principle applies today?