John Gill Commentary Leviticus 4:22

John Gill Commentary

Leviticus 4:22

1697–1771
Reformed Baptist
John Gill
John Gill

John Gill Commentary

Leviticus 4:22

1697–1771
Reformed Baptist
SCRIPTURE

"When a ruler sinneth, and doeth unwittingly any one of all the things which Jehovah his God hath commanded not to be done, and is guilty;" — Leviticus 4:22 (ASV)

When a ruler has sinned
Or "prince", the "nasi", one that is lifted up above others in honour, power, and authority, or that bears the weight of government: the word comes from one which signifies to lift up, or to bear; it may be understood of a governor of a family, or of a tribe, as Aben Ezra observes; and so in the Talmud


and done [somewhat] through ignorance [against] any of the
commandments of the Lord his God ;
the phrase, "his God", is here added, and is not used neither of the anointed priest, nor of the congregation, nor of one of the common people; only of the prince, to show, that though he is above others, God is above him, and he is accountable to him; he is his God, of whom he is, and by whom he rules; wherefore if he breaks any of his commandments, though ignorantly, he must bring a sacrifice for it:

[concerning things] which should not be done, and is guilty ;
of transgressing negative precepts, which are as binding on him as others.

FOOTNOTES:

  • F11:
    F11 it is said, it means the prince of a tribe, such as Nachson the son of Amminadab, prince of the tribe of Judah. Maimonides F12 says a king is designed, over whom none has power; and so Gersom on the place, who observes, that David the king is called a prince, (Ezekiel 34:24) (46:2)
  • F12: Hilchot Shegagot, c. 15. sect. 6.