Trespass

Trespass - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

TRES'PASS, v.i. [L. trans, beyond, and passer, to pass.]

1. Literally, to pass beyond; hence primarily, to pass over the boundary line of another's land; to enter unlawfully upon the land of another. A man may trespass by walking over the ground of another, and the law gives a remedy for damages sustained.

2. To commit any offense or to do any act that injures or annoys another; to violate any rule of rectitude to the injury of another.

If any man shall trespass against his neighbor, and an oath be laid upon him-- 1 Ki 8. See Luke 17:3. and 4.

3. In a moral sense, to transgress voluntarily any divine law or command; to violate any known rule of duty.

In the time of his disease did he trespass yet more. 2 Chr 28.

We have trespassed against our God. Ezra 10.

4. To intrude; to go too far; to put to inconvenience by demand or importunity; as, to trespass upon the time or patience of another.

TRES'PASS, n. In law, violation of another's rights, not amounting to treason, felony, or misprision of either. Thus to enter another's close, is a trespass; to attack his person is a trespass. When violence accompanies the act, it is called a trespass vi et armis.

1. Any injury or offense done to another.

If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Mat 6.

2. Any voluntary transgression of the moral law; any violation of a known rule of duty; sin. Col 2.

You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins. Eph 2.

tres'-pas: To pass over, to go beyond one's right in place or act; to injure another; to do that which annoys or inconveniences another; any violation of law, civil or moral; it may relate to a person, a community, or the state, or to offenses against God. The Hebrew 'asham ("sin"), is used very frequently in the Old Testament when the trespass is a violation of law of which God is the author. The Greek word is paraptoma.

In the Old Testament an offering was demanded when the offense was against God: a female lamb; in other cases, according to the magnitude of the wrong, a ram or a goat; the offering was to be preceded by a confession by the one committing the trespass. If the trespass was against a human being, the wrong-doer must make it right with the person, and when reconciliation should have been effected, then the offering for sin was to be made. See under SACRIFICE, "Trespass Offering." If a person's property has been injured, then the trespasser shall add a fifth to the value of the property injured and give that to the injured party (Le 6:5). Zaccheus, wanting to make full restitution, went beyond the demands of the Law (Lu 19:1-9).

The New Testament teaching on the subject is, first to be reconciled to the brother and then offer, or worship (Mt 5:23,24). In all cases, also, the offended party must forgive if the offender shall say, "I repent" (Mt 6:14; Eph 4:32; Col 3:13). We have been alienated by our trespasses from God (Eph 2:1). It was the Father's good will to reconcile all to Himself through Christ (Col 1:20-22). We must be reconciled to God (2Co 5:20,21). This being done, our trespasses shall be forgiven and we shall be justified.

David Roberts Dungan

Definition

The term “trespass” means to cross a line or to violate a boundary. This term is often used figuratively, meaning to break a law or to violate the rights of another person.

• This term is very similar to the word “transgression,” but is generally used more often to describe violations against other people than against God.
• A trespass can be a violation of a moral law or a civil law.
• A trespass can also be a sin committed against another person.
• This term is related to the terms “sin” and “transgress,” especially as it relates to disobeying God. All sins are trespasses against God.

Translation Suggestions

• Depending on the context, to “trespass against” could be translated as to “sin against” or to “break the rule.”
• Some languages may have an expression like “cross the line” that could be used to translate “trespass.”
• Consider how this term fits with the meaning of the surrounding Bible text and compare it to other terms that have a similar meaning, such as “transgress” and “sin.”

(See also: disobey, iniquity, sin, transgress)

Bible References

• 1 Samuel 25:28
• 2 Chronicles 26:16-18
• Colossians 2:13
• Ephesians 2:1
• Ezekiel 15:7-8
• Romans 5:17
• Romans 5:20-21

Word Data

• Strong’s: H0816, H0817, H0819, H2398, H4603, H4604, H6586, H6588, G02640, G39000