Comprehensive List of Sins Mentioned in the Bible

Sin, in its most fundamental biblical definition, is "lawlessness" or "transgression of the law" ^{[2, 3, 7]}. This understanding is rooted in passages such as 1 John 3:4, which states, "Everyone who sins also commits lawlessness. Sin is lawlessness" ^[2]. It represents a "want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God," encompassing both the internal state of the soul and outward actions, whether by omission or commission ^[7]. The Bible describes sin as rebellion against God, works of darkness, and the abominable thing that God hates ^[3].

The Bible presents numerous examples and categories of sin. The prophet Ezekiel, for instance, provides a "catalogue or list of the sins of the Jews," including murder, idolatry, contempt of parents, and oppression of the stranger ^[8]. Similarly, Jeremiah condemns the people for rejecting the Lord, submitting to pagan deities, and engaging in sexual misconduct, noting the close connection between idolatry and adultery as breaches of the covenant ^[12]. Isaiah also enumerates sins such as covetousness, drunkenness, and pride, linking them to the judgments that would befall the people ^[9].

Specific actions identified as sins throughout scripture include:

Idolatry: Worshipping false gods or anything other than the Lord God of Israel ^{[4, 5, 8, 12]}. This is considered a direct provocation of God's anger ^{[4, 5]}. The Babylonian Talmud identifies idol worship as one of three sins whose transgressors are not hidden from the Divine Presence ^[13].
Murder: Taking a human life unlawfully ^[8].
Theft/Robbery: Unjustly taking what belongs to another ^{[13, 14]}. The Babylonian Talmud highlights robbery as a sin that reaches the Divine Presence ^[13].
Sexual Immorality: This includes harlotry and other forms of sexual misconduct ^{[11, 12]}. The apostle Paul warns against joining oneself with a harlot, stating that such a person becomes "one body" with her, contrasting it with being joined to the Lord as "one spirit" ^[11].
Deception/Lying: John views deception as a root of sin, associating it with Satan, the "father of lies" ^[10]. The book of Revelation lists "all liars" among those whose fate is the fiery lake ^[10].
Disobedience/Rebellion: Explicitly described as rebellion against God ^[3].
Omission: Failing to do what one knows to be good is also considered sin ^[3].
Unrighteousness: All unrighteousness is sin ^[3].
Lack of Faith: Whatever is not of faith is sin ^[3].
Foolish Thoughts: Even the thought of foolishness is sin ^[3].
Evil Imaginations: The imaginations of the unrenewed heart are considered sinful ^[3].

The concept of sin also includes the idea of "making others to sin," as seen in the account of Baasha and Elah, who not only sinned themselves but also led Israel into sin, provoking God's anger ^{[4, 5]}.

The Bible also speaks of a "sin-offering" (Hebrew: hattath), which was a prescribed sacrifice in the Old Testament for atonement for sin ^[6]. These offerings were made for individuals, the congregation, and on special occasions like the Day of Atonement, where the blood was sprinkled on the mercy-seat ^[6].

While all sins are serious, the Bible also mentions the concept of blasphemy, stating that "all sinnes shalbe forgiuen vnto the children of men, and blasphemies, wherewith they blaspheme," implying a distinction in gravity or consequence, though all are subject to forgiveness through Christ ^[1].

Sources

Mark “Mark 3:28 (Geneva1599) — Verely I say vnto you, all sinnes shalbe forgiuen vnto the children of men, and blasphemies, wherewith they blaspheme:”
1 John “Everyone who sins also commits lawlessness. Sin is lawlessness. -- 1 John 3:4”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sin — Is the transgression of the law -- 1Jo 3:4. Is of the devil -- 1Jo 3:8; Joh 8:44. All unrighteousness is -- 1Jo 5:17. Omission of what we know to be good is -- Jas 4:17. Whatever is not of faith is -- Ro 14:23. The thought of foolishness is -- Pr 24:9. All the imaginations of the unrenewed heart are -- Ge 6:5; 8:21. Described as Coming from the heart. -- Mt 15:19. The fruit of lust. -- Jas 1:15. The sting of death. -- 1Co 15:56. Rebellion against God. -- De 9:7; Jos 1:18. Works of darkness. -- Eph 5:11. Dead works. -- Heb 6:1; 9:14. The abominable thing that Go”
I Kings “I Kings 16:13 (KJV) — For all the sins of Baasha, and the sins of Elah his son, by which they sinned, and by which they made Israel to sin, in provoking the Lord God of Israel to anger with their vanities.”
King James Version “[KJV] 1 Kings 16:13 — For all the sins of Baasha, and the sins of Elah his son, by which they sinned, and by which they made Israel to sin, in provoking the LORD God of Israel to anger with their vanities.”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sin-offering — (Heb. hattath), the law of, is given in detail in Lev. 4-6:13; 9:7-11, 22-24; 12:6-8; 15:2, 14, 25-30; 14:19, 31; Num. 6:10-14. On the day of Atonement it was made with special solemnity (Lev. 16:5, 11, 15). The blood was then carried into the holy of holies and sprinkled on the mercy-seat. Sin-offerings were also presented at the five annual festivals (Num. 28, 29), and on the occasion of the consecration of the priests (Ex. 29:10-14, 36). As each individual, even the most private member of the congregation, as well as the congregation at large, and t”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sin — Is "any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God" (1 John 3:4; Rom. 4:15), in the inward state and habit of the soul, as well as in the outward conduct of the life, whether by omission or commission (Rom. 6:12-17; 7:5-24). It is "not a mere violation of the law of our constitution, nor of the system of things, but an offence against a personal lawgiver and moral governor who vindicates his law with penalties. The soul that sins is always conscious that his sin is (1) intrinsically vile and polluting, and (2) that it justly deserves punishment,”
Ezekiel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ezekiel 22 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 22 In this chapter a catalogue or list of the sins of the Jews is given; a comparison of them to dross is made, and they are dealt with accordingly; and a complaint is lodged against all ranks and orders of men for their sins; on account of which, there being no intercessor for them, they are threatened with captivity and destruction. The prophet is ordered to judge them, and lay before them their abominable sins, Eze 22:1, of which a long list is given, as murder, idolatry; contempt of parents; oppression of the stranger, fathe”
Isaiah (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Isaiah 5 (introduction): In this chapter the prophet, in God's name, shows the people of God their transgressions, even the house of Jacob their sins, and the judgments which were likely to be brought upon them for their sins, I. By a parable, under the similitude of an unfruitful vineyard, representing the great favours God had bestowed upon them, their disappointing his expectations from them, and the ruin they had thereby deserved (Isa 5:1-7). II. By an enumeration of the sins that did abound among them, with a threatening of punishments that should answer to the sins. 1. C”
Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 21:8: 21:8 This vice list summarizes sins described throughout Revelation. These sins characterize people who have not experienced adoption by God; their fate is the fiery lake (see Rom 1:29-32; Gal 5:19-21; 2 Tim 3:2-5; cp. Exod 20:13-17; see also study note on Rev 20:10). • all liars: John apparently viewed deception as the root of sin; elsewhere he describes Satan as the “father of lies” (John 8:44; 1 Jn 2:4; see Rev 14:5; 21:27; 22:15; cp. Matt 12:34).”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 5: Hippolytus, Cyprian, Caius, Novatian — TESTIMONIES. (part 44): but if he die, she is freed to marry whom she will, only in the Lord. But she will be happier if she abide thus."(19) And again: "Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? Shall I take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? Far be it from me. Or know ye not that he who is joined together with an harlot is one body? for two shall be in 551 one flesh. But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit."[1] Also in the second to the Corinthians: "Be not joined together with unbelievers. For”
Jeremiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jeremiah 5:7: 5:7-8 These verses list the evidence of sins the people had committed, including rejection of the Lord, submission to pagan deities, and sexual misconduct (7:9; 12:16; Num 25:1-3; Deut 32:21; Josh 23:7; Zeph 1:5; Gal 4:8). Idolatry and adultery were closely connected in Israel because both represented the breach of an exclusive covenant.”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Bava Metzia 59a.8: Rabbi Abbahu says: There are three sins before whose transgressors the curtain [ hapargod ] between the world and the Divine Presence is not locked; their sins reach the Divine Presence. They are: Verbal mistreatment, robbery, and idol worship. Mistreatment, as it is stated: “And a plumb line in His hand”; robbery, as it is stated: “Violence and robbery are heard in her, they are before Me continually” (Jeremiah 6:7); idol worship, as it is stated: “A people that angers Me before Me continually; that sacrifice in gardens, and burn incense upon bricks” (Isa”
Midrash Rabbah (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Midrash Rabbah, Vayikra Rabbah 33:3: “I saw the Lord standing upon the altar [ mizbe’aḥ ]” (Amos 9:1); He was standing over the generation to slaughter it [ lezovḥo ]. “He said: Strike the apex and the thresholds will quake” (Amos 9:1); “strike the apex,” this is Josiah; “and the thresholds will quake,” these are his legal advisers. “Shatter those [ uvtzaam ] who are at the head of them all” (Amos 9:1); Rabbi Shimon bar Abba in the name of Rabbi Yoḥanan: This is analogous to a se’a container that was filled with iniquities. Which of them prosecutes? It is robbery. 9 If one has a full slate of ”

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