This verse & following seems to contradict the end of chapter 4 and all of chapter 5… ?
Lev. 5:17: “If anyone sins, doing any of the things that by the Lord’s commandments ought not to be done, though he did not know it, then realizes his guilt, he shall bear his iniquity.” (ESV)
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Leviticus 4 deals with sacrifices for sins that are committed by the priests (vv. 3-12), or the whole nation (vv. 13-21), or a ruler of the people ( vv. 22-26), or one of the people (vv.27-35).
Leviticus 5 deals more with sacrifices for “passive” transgressions; that is, sacrifices for things that happen to a person which make him unclean, such as hearing blasphemy, coming in touch with the body of an unclean animal or some other uncleanness.
The verses you mentioned (5:17-19) do seem at first to stand alone, but I believe they are simply a restatement and broadening of application of verses 14-16. Those verses deal with sacrifice for transgressions in matters of cult. Since a 20% “fine” is assessed in addition to the ram that was to be brought for sacrifice, these transgressions probably have to do with issues of tithes and offerings.
It seems to me that Leviticus 5:17-19 still are speaking of cult behavior, but this time, God says, “If a souls sins in any of these things which are forbidden to be done…” I think the King James handles verse 17 better than the ESV, by translating it, “If a soul sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the Lord…” That does more to keep the subject of the verse tied to 14-16, where it belongs, in my opinion.
Many times in the law, God repeated Himself, with subtle changes, in order to cover as many loopholes as possible. He knew that crafty men would dissect His every word in order to find an excuse for their sins and, so, to escape the legal penalty for them, as lawyers routinely do in courthouses everywhere today.
That is what I read in those verses. I hope that helps.
jdc