The requirements established by the Lord to Moses, for the sacrifice related to trespass were somewhat different than for the other types of sin offerings. In the specific trespass offerings, the specifics by the Lord established the basis for the common laws in today’s democratic societies.

Trespass is generally defined and accepted as the invading of another’s possession or property. It not only involved the commonly-thought definition of land trespass, but also involved invasion against any of another’s property — such as theft or robbery of personal property, or the intentional or negligent destruction of another’s property.

This type of sacrifice was specified by the Lord as one requiring the specific sacrifice of a ram without blemish. Lev. 5:15. Unlike previous sin offerings specified by the Lord which allowed different types of offerings for different sins as well as different offerings depending on the wealth or poverty level of the sinner, the trespass offering required a ram of all sinners.

In addition to the sacrifice for forgiveness of sin, also required of the particular sinner was payback to the victim of the trespass. Not only was basic restitution required based on an estimation by the priest of the actual value of the damaged property, but an additional fine of 20 per cent for the damage was required. Lev. 5:15-16.

This type of offering was required whether the trespass was against the Lord, as explained in the closing of chapter 5 (Lev. 5:14-19); or whether it was against another individual as explained in the first verses of chapter 6 (Lev. 6:1-7).

The concept of the sinner not only offering a sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin, but also a requirement to pay not only restitution to the property owner but an additional 20 per cent fine was an idea that is a prominent part of common law principles in today’s courtrooms. Both the idea of a "fine" and what has become known today as "punitive" damages arise from this concept. This was a requirement in addition and above simple restitution or payback for the amount of damage caused.

The trespass against another individual could involve not only the simply taking or damaging of another’s property, but also robbery and theft, betraying another in the keeping in trust or bailment of another’s property, or lying to another to deceive them out of their property (i.e. fraud). Lev. 6:2-3.

In making the sacrificial offering of the ram, along with the restitution for damage done, plus the additional 20 percent penalty, the priest could make atonement for the sinner and the sin forgiven. Lev. 5:18, 6:7.