What Does Leviticus 22:14 Mean in the King James?

And if a man eat of the holy thing unwittingly, then he shall put the fifth part thereof unto it, and shall give it unto the priest with the holy thing.

Leviticus 22:14 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

Even an unwitting taking leaves a real loss to repair: the set-apart portion returns with a fifth added.

THE MEANING

An unknowing taking of what is set apart still leaves something real to repair. The consumed portion is returned to the priest with an added fifth, so the repair exceeds what was taken.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The verse undoes the belief that an unintended taking leaves nothing to repair. Lack of intent changes how the act is named, but the loss and obligation remain.

THE ROOT

בִּשְׁגָגָה

bishgagah

GROWS FROM

שגג

The root ⁨שגג⁩ (shagag) means to err or act inadvertently.

“unwittingly” in this verse is bishgagah. This root names a real act done without intention, not the absence of an act. The verse keeps that distinction visible: ignorance qualifies the taking, while the set-apart portion remains something to be restored.

ALSO GROWS

shagag: To err or act inadvertently.

שָׁגַג

The verb shares the root consonants ⁨שגג⁩ and makes clear that inadvertence describes how an act happens.

shogeg: One who acts inadvertently.

שׁוֹגֵג

This form shares the root consonants ⁨שגג⁩; it names the person by the same inadvertent action described in the verse.

קֹדֶשׁ

qodesh

GROWS FROM

קדש

The root ⁨קדש⁩ (qadash) means to set apart or consecrate.

“holy thing” in this verse is qodesh. The consumed item belongs to the set-apart family even when the eater does not recognize its boundary. The obligation remains attached to what the portion is set apart as, not only to the eater’s awareness.

ALSO GROWS

qadosh: Set apart; sacred.

קָדוֹשׁ

It shares the consonants ⁨קדש⁩ and describes the set-apart quality of what is called a holy thing here.

miqdash: Sanctuary; set-apart place.

מִקְדָּשׁ

It shares the consonants ⁨קדש⁩ and shows the same set-apart root in the name for a dedicated place.

THE PATTERN

When what is owed is restored, the repair can include an addition beyond the original loss.

And he shall make amends for the harm that he hath done in the holy thing, and shall add the fifth part thereto, and give it unto the priest: and the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering, and it shall be forgiven him.

Leviticus 5:16 · KJVThe same repair returns what was lost in the holy thing and adds a fifth.

Then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof, and add unto it the fifth part thereof, and give it unto him against whom he hath trespassed.

Numbers 5:7 · KJVRestitution includes the original amount plus an added fifth, making repair larger than the loss alone.

And Zacchæus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

Luke 19:8 · KJVThe promise to restore fourfold extends the pattern of returning more than what was taken.

THE THREAD

And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering.

Numbers 15:27 · KJV

The phrase rendered “through ignorance” comes from the same ⁨שגג⁩ (shagag) root family as “unwittingly” here. Both verses name an unintentional act while still making its consequences visible.

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