Reference: Ignorance
Hastings
It appears to be in accordance with natural justice that ignorance should be regarded as modifying moral responsibility, and this is fully recognized in the Scriptures. In the OT, indeed, the knowledge of God is often spoken of as equivalent to true religion (see Knowledge), and therefore ignorance is regarded as its opposite (1Sa 2:12; Ho 4:1; 6:6). But the Levitical law recognizes sins of ignorance as needing some expiation, but with a minor degree of guilt (Le 4; Nu 15:22-32). So 'ignorances' are spoken of in 1Es 8:75 (RV 'errors'), Tob 3:3, Sir 23:2 f. as partly involuntary (cf. Heb 5:2; 9:7). The whole of the OT, however, is the history of a process of gradual moral and spiritual enlightenment, so that actions which are regarded as pardonable, or even praiseworthy, at one period, become inexcusable in a more advanced state of knowledge. In the NT the difference between the 'times of ignorance' and the light of Christianity is recognized in Ac 17:30 (cf. 1Ti 1:13; 1Pe 1:14), and ignorance is spoken of as modifying responsibility in Ac 3:17; 1Co 2:8; Lu 23:34. This last passage, especially, suggests that sin is pardonable because it contains an element of ignorance, while Mr 3:29 appears to contemplate the possibility of an absolutely wilful choice of evil with full knowledge of what it is, which will be unpardonable (cf. 1Jo 5:16). Immoral and guilty ignorance is also spoken of in Ro 1:18 ff., Eph 4:18. For the question whether Christ in His human nature could be ignorant, see Kenosis, Knowledge.
J. H. Maude.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Suppose someone unintentionally fails to keep some of these regulations Jehovah gave Moses. Also suppose that in the future the congregation fails to do everything Jehovah commanded through Moses. read more. If the mistake was made because of the ignorance of the congregation, they are to offer a bull as a burnt offering, an odor that pleases Jehovah. Use the proper grain offering and wine offering. In addition, they are to offer a male goat as a sin offering. The priest will perform the ritual of purification for the congregation. They will be forgiven since the mistake was unintentional and they brought their sin offering as a food offering to Jehovah The whole congregation of Israel and the foreigners living among them will be forgiven, because everyone was involved in the mistake. If any of you sin unintentionally, you should offer a one-year-old female goat as a sin offering. The priest shall perform the ritual of purification at the altar to purify you from your sin. You will be forgiven. The same regulation applies to all who unintentionally commit a sin, whether they are native Israelites or resident foreigners. Any who sin deliberately, natives or foreigners, are guilty of treating Jehovah with contempt. They shall be put to death. They have rejected what Jehovah said and have deliberately broken one of his commandments. They are responsible for their own death. One time, while the Israelites were still in the wilderness, a man was found gathering firewood on the Sabbath.
The sons of Eli were corrupt. They did not know Jehovah.
Hear the word of Jehovah, you children of Israel! For Jehovah has a legal case against the inhabitants of the land. There is no truth! There is no goodness. There is no knowledge of God in the land.
I desire loving-kindness (mercy), not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
But whoever speaks evil and defames Holy Spirit will not be forgiven but is guilty of an eternal sin.
[Jesus said: Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do.](This verse not found in older manuscripts.) They cast lots and divided his garments among themselves.
Brothers, I know you acted in ignorance just as your rulers did.
God overlooked the times of ignorance; but now he commands men everywhere to repent.
The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.
They are darkened (blinded) (obscured) in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart.
See to it that no one enslaves you by means of philosophy and worthless deceit of human wisdom according to tradition of men. It is according to the elementary principles of the world, and not from Christ.
I was a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and a violent aggressor. I was shown mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
He is able to exercise compassion towards the ignorant and those going astray, since he is also subject to weakness.
Only the high priest enters the inner room. Once a year he entered with blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people.
If any man see his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he will ask, and God will give him life for them that sin not leading to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I do not say that he should make request concerning this.