Leviticus 5:1

And hear; and for that is, as that particle is often used, as Genesis 13:15; 1 Chronicles 21:12, compared with 2 Samuel 24:13; for this declares in particular what the sin was. The voice of swearing; either,

1. Of adjuration upon oath, when the judge adjures a witness to speak the whole truth; of which see Matthew 26:63. But this seems too much to narrow the sense; and this and the other laws, both before and after it, speak of private sins committed through ignorance. Or,

2. Of false swearing before a judge. But that is expressly forbidden, Leviticus 6:3. Or rather,

3. Of cursing, or blasphemy, or execration, as the word commonly signifies; and that either,

1. Against one’s neighbour, as 2 Samuel 16:7; or,

2. Against God, as Leviticus 24:10,Leviticus 24:11; which may seem to be principally intended here, because the crime here spoken of is of so high a nature, that he who heard it was obliged to reveal it, and prosecute the guilty. And though God be not here mentioned, yet the general word is here to be understood of the most famous particular, as it is frequently in all authors, of which there are many instances.

Whether he hath seen; being present when it was said.

Or known, by sufficient information from others. He shall bear his iniquity, i.e. the punishment of it, as that word is oft used, as Genesis 19:15; Numbers 18:1. See of this phrase Leviticus 17:16; Leviticus 20:20; Isaiah 53:11.