John Calvin Commentary Leviticus 5:6

"and he shall bring his trespass-offering unto Jehovah for his sin which he hath sinned, a female from the flock, a lamb or a goat, for a sin-offering; and the priest shall make atonement for him as concerning his sin." — Leviticus 5:6 (ASV)

And he shall bring his trespass-offering. He continues with what we have already been considering regarding the removal of guilt by sacrifice. However, he begins to make a distinction between the poor and the rich, a distinction that also applies to what has gone before. Thus, it appears that Moses does not strictly observe the order, as the cases he inserts seem to interrupt the flow of his discourse. Yet, the fact remains clear: whoever has fallen through error is unclean until they have offered an atonement.

But what was previously omitted is here inserted: the poor and needy are not to be pressed beyond the extent of their means. Indeed, different levels of offering are appointed, so that anyone for whom it was not convenient to offer two turtledoves or pigeons could satisfy the requirement with a small measure of flour.

From this we infer that God’s only design was to show the people the one true means of reconciliation, so that they might turn to the Mediator and His sacrifice. For the poor are here commanded to offer either two turtledoves or a small quantity of meal, which would propitiate God toward them just as much as the victim required of the rich would.

The citation,²⁶⁸ however, which our interpreters make from the poet is a weak one; namely, “Whoever brings integrity of mind into the temples, makes a sacrifice of grain.” This is because this blind man did not see the purpose of sacrifices and thus despised all kinds of propitiations, as if purity and innocence alone recommended people to God.

We must remember, then, that the victims in themselves were of no importance. Yet, the ancient people were instructed through these ceremonies to teach them that God can only be appeased by the payment of a ransom.

²⁶⁸ “Un poete payen a dit, ‘que celuy qui offrira un grain d’encens, ou un espi de ble en integritd de coeur, appaisera Dieu autant que s’il tuoit une centaine de bestes.’ Or, Il n’a parle qu’a demi, et m’esbahi comment les Chrestiens osent alleguer ceste sentence comme vraye;” a heathen poet has said, that he who shall offer a grain of incense, or an ear of corn in integrity of heart, will appease God as much as if he had killed a hundred beasts. Now he only spoke by halves; and I am astonished how Christians dare to allege this sentence, as if it were true. — ;” a heathen poet has said, that he who shall offer a grain of incense, or an ear of corn in integrity of heart, will appease God as much as if he had killed a hundred beasts. Now he only spoke by halves; and I am astonished how Christians dare to allege this sentence, as if it were true. — Fr..