forbidden (4:1). This obviously catches a fair range of sin in its net, though not all. From what follows, it is clear that one major concern is failure in the performance of religious duty, through either negligence or ignorance. But this offering also embraces failure to observe God’s ethical law. This initial statement is not elaborated further in chapter 4, but the opening verses of chapter 5 present a number of specific examples that are intended, presumably, to illustrate the general principle.