Commentary on Harmony of the Law Volume 1 Complete John Calvin (continued)
HARMONY OF THE LAW · VOLUME 1 shegagah, 598 means, which I have preferred rendering error rather than ignorance; for Moses does not refer to those transgressions into which we are ensnared, when we are led astray by the appearance of rectitude, so as to think ourselves without blame; but to those of which we take no heed, and whereby our minds are not pricked; or to those sudden falls, wherein the infirmity of the flesh so stifles the reason and the judgment as to blind the sinner. It is of such that Paul speaks when he bids us
"restore in the spirit of meekness those who are overtaken in a fault," (Galatians 6:1;) for he does not mean those who are deceived by their good intentions (as they call it,) or rather by their foolish opinion, so as to be unconscious of their sin; but those who fall through the infirmity of their flesh, and whom Satan catches unawares in his snares; or who, at any rate, do not perceive the evil they have done, so as immediately to apply the remedy. This will be more clearly understood from Psalm 19:12, 13, where David, having asked pardon for his errors, seeks to be kept free from presumptuous sins. 599 The antithesis between,שגיאותshegioth, 600 and,זדיםzedim, shews that those transgressions are called errors, in which there is no criminal pride against God. "If a soul shall sin — from all the commandments," 601 is a harsh expression; and therefore some refer it to sins of omission, but I interpret it more simply, "If he sin by turning away from the commandments," or "if he commit any thing opposed (alienum)to the commandments."
3. If the priest that is anointed. He now distinguishes between different persons, and begins with the high priest, who alone bore the high distinction of the holy unction, unless it be thought better to apply it to the whole supreme class. 602 It is probable, however, that it only refers to one. The
S.M. says the word means, "a sin into which the perplexed mind has been driven under the impulse of some passion, through thoughtlessness, imprudence, or error, when inattentive to the dictates of reason and of the Spirit." — W.
"A superbiis." — Lat. "De ses fiertes, et rebellions." — Fr.
Lexicographers make no distinction between the approximate rootsשגגand.שגהHence ,שגיאותis regarded as meaning the same as the word used in Leviticus 4:2. By,זדיםare understood sins committed with a high hand and rebellious spirit. — W.
A. V., "against any of the commandments." Ainsworth's version is, "A soule, when it shall sin through ignorance of all the commandments," etc.; and his Gloss. "of all, understand, by doing any one of all the commandments. So Moses himself explaineth it in the words here following, and in ver. 13, 22, 27."
"Sur toute la maison d'Aaron." — Fr.