generally uses other words for 'offering' but uses for the vow of the Nazirites (Antiquities of the Jews 4:73 / 4,4,4) and cites Theophrastus as having cited a korban vow among the Tyrians (Against Apion 1.167 / 1,22,4). Purpose The idea conveyed in most was that of a "gift" to God. Contrary to the view that in the Torah were for sins, their use was far more complex—only some were used to atone for unintentional sins, and these sacrifices only accompanied the important required core means of atonement to be ever considered legitimate. Besides this one exception, there were the overwhelming majority of other purposes for bringing , and the expiatory effect is often incidental, and is subject to significant limitations. are brought purely for the purpose of communing with God and becoming closer to him. They were also brought for the purpose of expressing thanks, gratitude, and love to God. Further, the use of was circumscribed for certain types of sins. Sins in Judaism consist of different grades of severity: The lightest is the , , or (), an infraction of a commandment committed in ignorance of the existence or meaning of that command. The second kind is the , a breach of a minor commandment committed with a full knowledge of the existence and nature of that commandment (). The gravest kind is the or , a presumptuous and rebellious act against God. Its worst form is the , such an act committed with a wicked intention. These three terms are mentioned in the Book of Psalms: "We have sinned [],[...] we have committed iniquity [], we have done wickedly []". With few exceptions, could only be used as a means of atoning for the first type of sin, that is sins committed in ignorance that the thing was a sin. In addition, have no expiating effect unless the person making the offering sincerely repents their actions before making the offering, and makes restitution to any person who was harmed by the violation. Hebrew Bible Offerings are mentioned in the Book of Genesis, but further outlined in the later four books of the Torah, including aspects of their origins and history. The Hebrew Bible says that God commanded the Israelites to offer offerings and sacrifices on various altars. The sacrifices were only to be offered by the hands of the . Before building the Temple in Jerusalem, when