Attributed commentary excerpt
John Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 4:22
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
When a ruler hath sinned, etc.] Or “prince”, the “nasi”, one that is lifted up above others in honour, power, and authority, or that bears the weight of government: the word comes from one which signifies to lift up, or to bear; it may be understood of a governor of a family, or of a tribe, as Aben Ezra observes; and so in the Talmud f105 it is said, it means the prince of a tribe, such as Nachson the son of Amminadab, prince of the tribe of Judah. Maimonides f106 says a king is designed, over whom none has power; and so Gersom on the place, who observes, that David the king is called a prince, (<263424>Ezekiel 34:24 46:2) and done [somewhat] through ignorance [against] any of the commandments of the Lord his God; the phrase, “his God”, is here added, and is not used neither of the anointed priest, nor of the congregation, nor of one of the common people; only of the prince, to show, that though he is above others, God is above him, and he is accountable to him; he is his God, of whom he is, and by whom he rules; wherefore if he breaks any of his commandments, though ignorantly, he must bring a sacrifice for it: [concerning things] which should not be done, and is guilty; of transgressing negative precepts, which are as binding on him as others.
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