1. Leviticus 4:13 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What is indicated by the words "if" at the beginning of this verse?

Leviticus 4:13 (ESV)

13 “If the whole congregation of Israel sins unintentionally and the thing is hidden from the eyes of the assembly, and they do any one of the things that by the LORD’s commandments ought not to be done, and they realize their guilt,

A new category of the sin offering is now introduced by the introductory phrase, “But if…” The discussion of the sin offering moves from the procedure that is to take place for the commission of a sin by the high priest to that of the sin of the “whole Israelite community.”