trespass

Everyday

1. To go onto someone's land or into a building without permission. tree →
2. (Bible, church, old) A wrong or sin; to trespass means to do wrong. tree →
3. (formal) To trespass on someone's time or kindness means to take more than you should. tree →

In the lessons

A law, safety and Bible word. Signs say «No Trespassing» or «Trespassers Will Be Prosecuted». Railway lines, farms and building sites are dangerous; trespassing there can kill. In The Wind in the Willows the weasels and stoats trespass in Toad Hall and take it over. In the Lord's Prayer, said in many churches, Christians ask «forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us».

Examples

• Don't trespass on the railway line — it's very dangerous. tree →
• The sign said: No trespassing. tree →
• The farmer caught boys trespassing in his field. tree →
• The weasels trespassed in Toad Hall. tree →
• «Forgive us our trespasses,» the congregation prayed. tree →
• I don't want to trespass on your kindness. tree →
• Trespassers will be prosecuted. tree →

Note

Regular verb; noun «trespasser». In the Lord's Prayer some churches say «debts» or «sins» instead of «trespasses». «Trespass on» = enter without permission; «trespass against» (old) = do wrong to.

In Jewish tradition

Hebrew ma'al is a breach of faith, and it requires confession and a guilt-offering (asham).

Interpretation. The law treats a wrong against a neighbour as also a wrong against God, so the sinner must repay the person and bring an offering.

Examples

• And Jacob answered and said to Laban: 'What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast hotly pursued after me? (Torah GEN.31.36, JPS 1917) tree →
• Speak unto the children of Israel: When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to commit a trespass against the LORD, and that soul be guilty; (Torah NUM.5.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• If any one sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and deal falsely with his neighbour in a matter of deposit, or of pledge, or of robbery, or have oppressed his neighbour; (Torah LEV.6.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• O God, Thou knowest my folly; and my trespasses are not hid from Thee. (Writings PSA.69.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the sons of Carmi: Achar, the troubler of Israel, who committed a trespass concerning the devoted thing. (Writings 1CH.2.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• As a vulture he cometh against the house of the LORD; because they have transgressed My covenant, and trespassed against My law. (Prophets HOS.8.1, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb; noun «trespasser». In the Lord's Prayer some churches say «debts» or «sins» instead of «trespasses». «Trespass on» = enter without permission; «trespass against» (old) = do wrong to.

Early Modern English

Meaning

A wrong done against someone, or a sin against God. tree →

Then and now

Today mainly means going onto someone's land without permission. The old sense is doing wrong; all three sentences use it.

Examples

• And Jacob answered and said to Laban: 'What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast hotly pursued after me? (Torah GEN.31.36, JPS 1917) tree →
• Speak unto the children of Israel: When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to commit a trespass against the LORD, and that soul be guilty; (Torah NUM.5.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• If any one sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and deal falsely with his neighbour in a matter of deposit, or of pledge, or of robbery, or have oppressed his neighbour; (Torah LEV.6.2, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Today: wrong, sin.