Leviticus 5:4

The third case when anyone utters a rash oath or vow.

swear rashly The Heb. verb occurs in the Pi-el form (baṭṭç) only here and Psalms 106:33; in sound it resembles the first part of βαττολογήσητε in Matthew 6:7. To take an oath or vow lightly, without considering its purport, is a breach of the 3rd commandment, and when he knoweth of it(i.e. reflects on, or is reminded of, what he has thoughtlessly uttered), he will acknowledge his guilt, and bring a Sin-Offering. It is not clear whether the offering not only makes atonement for the sin of rash swearing but also procures release from the obligation incurred by the rash oath.

to do evil, or to do good i.e. to perform any act whatever.

Each of the four verses forms a complete sentence with protasis and apodosis in the text of R.V. and A.V., but all four verses should be taken as forming one long protasis to which Leviticus 5:5 is the apodosis. The translation would then be as follows: 1  If anyone sin … if he do not utter it, but bears his iniquity; 2  or if anyone touch … things, [and it be hidden from him, and he be unclean and guilty;] 3  or if he touch the uncleanness … wherewith he is unclean, and it be hid from him, and he knoweth of it, and is guilty; 4 or if anyone swear … oath, and it be hid from him, and he knoweth of it, and is guilty in one of these things: 5 then it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that.… The words in brackets are omitted in LXX.; -in one of these things" at the end of Leviticus 5:4 seems strange, and may be a repetition of the phrase in Leviticus 5:5.