Matthew Poole and continuators on Leviticus 4:2

2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD (concerning things which ought not to be done) c and shall do against any of them :

This must necessarily be understood of more than common sins and daily infirmities, for if every such sin had required an offering, it had not been possible either for most sinners to bear such a charge, or for the altar to receive so many sacrifices, or for the Priests to manage so infinite a work. And for ordinary sins, they were ceremonially expiated by the daily offering, and by that on the great day of atonement, Levit. 16. 30.

Or, errour, either not knowing his fact to be sinful, as appears by comparing, ver. 13▪ 14. or not considering it, but rashly and unadvisedly falling into sin through the power of some sudden passion or temptation, as the Hebrew word signifies, Psal. 119. 67. Compare. Iob 19. 4. Psal. 19. 13. The words may be thus rendred, in or about every or any of the commandements of the Lord which should not be done, or, which concern things that should not be done, to wit, in any negative commands. And there is great reason why a sacrifice should be more necessary for these than for other sins, because affirmative precepts do not so strictly and constantly bind men as the negative do, and if a man through ignorance have neglected them, he may yet recover his errour, and fulfil them.

Then he shall offer according to his quality, which is here to be understood, out of the following verses.

Marginal references: Num. 15. 24▪; Heb. shall not be done.