Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Leviticus 5:16. It's a pretty serious instruction about dealing with broken or damaged sacred items – think of it like a very strict rule about how to handle things that are meant to be pure and holy. Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse is about atonement – making amends for something that has caused harm. It’s telling us we need to fix things up when we break or damage something considered sacred. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And he shall make amends for the harm that he hath done in the holy thing…” This means you are responsible for what you've broken or damaged. It’s about acknowledging that you’ve messed up and causing a problem. “Holy thing” refers to things like animals, food offerings, or other sacred objects. “…and shall add the fifth part thereto…” This is where it gets specific. The "fifth part" means half of what was lost or damaged. Think of it as half the value of the item. “and give it unto the priest:” The priest is a very important person in this ritual. He’s responsible for overseeing and making sure this process works correctly. He's taking responsibility on behalf of the offender. “…and the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering…” This is crucial . The priest uses a special animal – the ram – and offers it as a sacrifice to bring about forgiveness. It’s like a symbolic apology offered through this animal. “it shall be forgiven him:” This means that by making this kind of atonement, the offender is allowed to be forgiven. It's a way of restoring balance and cleansing the situation. In short: If you break something sacred, you need to offer a sacrifice (the ram) to make it right, and then the priest will oversee the process to ensure forgiveness is granted. Important Context - Why This Verse Matters This verse was developed as a way to protect the sanctity of the Jewish people and their faith. It's a reminder that we must treat sacred things with respect and care, and that acknowledging our mistakes is key to regaining trust and being forgiven. Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific example (like a broken piece of jewelry)?