Numbers 5 6

Numbers 5:6 kjv

Speak unto the children of Israel, When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the LORD, and that person be guilty;

Numbers 5:6 nkjv

"Speak to the children of Israel: 'When a man or woman commits any sin that men commit in unfaithfulness against the LORD, and that person is guilty,

Numbers 5:6 niv

"Say to the Israelites: 'Any man or woman who wrongs another in any way and so is unfaithful to the LORD is guilty

Numbers 5:6 esv

"Speak to the people of Israel, When a man or woman commits any of the sins that people commit by breaking faith with the LORD, and that person realizes his guilt,

Numbers 5:6 nlt

"Give the following instructions to the people of Israel: If any of the people ? men or women ? betray the LORD by doing wrong to another person, they are guilty.

Numbers 5 verses

Numbers 5 6 Meaning

This verse establishes a divine principle concerning the individual accountability of any Israelite, whether male or female, who commits a sin defined as "breaking faith with the Lord." This act of unfaithfulness or treachery, often involving misuse of what is sacred or an act of deceit against another that ultimately dishonors God, leads to genuine guilt. Crucially, the verse highlights the prerequisite of the offender realizing their guilt for the subsequent provisions of atonement and restitution to apply, emphasizing an internal recognition of their offense against God and the covenant.

Numbers 5 6 Context

Numbers chapter 5 opens a series of laws primarily focused on maintaining the purity and holiness of the Israelite camp, especially as God's Tabernacle dwelled among them. Following the census and the organized camp layout in previous chapters, the immediate context of Numbers 5:6-10 deals with the specific protocols for individuals who commit an act of unfaithfulness or treachery against the Lord, often through wronging another person. These laws are critical for sustaining the sanctity required for God's presence among His people. Historically, this period occurs soon after the Exodus, as Israel is preparing for its journey through the wilderness to the Promised Land. The meticulous establishment of these laws emphasized the unique covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel, ensuring that justice, holiness, and true repentance were paramount for both individual and communal well-being, standing in stark contrast to the often arbitrary and less morally rigorous legal codes of surrounding pagan nations.

Numbers 5 6 Word analysis

• Speak: Hebrew "דַּבֵּר" (dabber). This is an imperative command, indicating a direct, authoritative instruction from the Lord through Moses. It signals divine ordinance for the whole community.
• to the people of Israel: Denotes that this law applies universally to all members of the covenant community, emphasizing a communal standard of holiness.
• When a man or a woman: Hebrew "אִישׁ אֽוֹ-אִשָּׁה" (ish o-ishah). This highlights individual accountability, applying equally to both genders without partiality. Sin is personal, not just collective.
• commits: Hebrew "יַעֲשׂוּ" (ya'asu), "they do" or "they commit." Implies an action taken, a volitional act of transgression.
• any of the sins: Hebrew "מִכָּל-חַטֹּאת" (mikol-chatot), "from all sins." This encompasses various forms of transgression. The root "חטא" (khata) means to miss the mark, err, or deviate from the divine standard.
• that people commit: Reinforces that these are common human transgressions, not exclusive to specific roles or circumstances.
• by breaking faith with the Lord: Hebrew "לִמְעֹל מַעַל בַּיהוָה" (lim'ol ma'al ba'YHVH). This is the pivotal phrase.
  • לִמְעֹל מַעַל (lim'ol ma'al): From the root "מָעַל" (ma'al), which means "to act unfaithfully," "to commit a trespass," "to behave treacherously," or "to violate a trust." It implies more than accidental sin; it's a deliberate act of disloyalty, often involving misappropriation (e.g., holy things) or deceit against a person where God's honor is ultimately violated because the covenant of truth and justice is broken. It is a profound breach of relationship.
  • בַּיהוָה (ba'YHVH): "against the Lord." This clearly states that while a "ma'al" might appear to be against another person (e.g., in fraud), or an act against holy things, it is fundamentally an offense directly against God's character, His laws, and His covenant relationship with Israel.
• and that person realizes his guilt: Hebrew "וְאָשְׁמָה הַנֶּפֶשׁ הַהִיא" (ve'ashmah hannefesh hahi), "and that soul/person is guilty."
  • אָשְׁמָה (ashmah): From the root "אָשַׁם" (asham), "to be guilty," "to incur guilt." This signifies not just objective guilt but a subjective awareness of being in a state of culpability.
  • הַנֶּפֶשׁ הַהִיא (hannefesh hahi): "that soul" or "that person." It reinforces the individual nature of the guilt. The "realization" of guilt is critical; it signifies conviction by conscience and is the necessary precursor to confession and subsequent steps of atonement, setting the stage for true repentance.

Numbers 5 6 Bonus section

The concept of "ma'al" (breaking faith) in Numbers 5:6 is distinct from merely accidental sin or lesser offenses. It carries the weight of a betrayal, a breach of covenant loyalty. While the law (Lev 5:15-16, Lev 6:2-7) connects "ma'al" to sins like violating holy things or defrauding a neighbor, the inclusion "with the Lord" elevates these acts. They are not just social wrongs but direct affronts to God. This principle underscores that the covenant relationship permeates all aspects of life; no sin is merely against a person, but always, ultimately, against God (Ps 51:4). The phrase "realizes his guilt" is a key component, implying divine conviction of conscience, indicating that the law has successfully exposed the hidden sin and prompted an internal response. Without this realization, the steps for atonement (confession, restitution, trespass offering) cannot proceed, underscoring God's desire for a repentant heart, not just ritualistic performance. This also serves as a polemic against ritual without repentance, prevalent in ancient near Eastern religions.

Numbers 5 6 Commentary

Numbers 5:6 introduces the specific scenario where an individual’s deliberate act of treachery or unfaithfulness ("ma'al") against the Lord necessitates a prescribed path to reconciliation. This unfaithfulness, though it may outwardly manifest as an interpersonal wrong or sacrilege, is fundamentally considered an offense against God Himself and the integrity of the covenant He established with Israel. The crucial aspect highlighted in this verse is the subjective realization of guilt by the offender. This internal conviction is not merely a formality but an essential first step, indicating genuine remorse and setting the stage for the required confession, restitution, and sacrifice detailed in the following verses. This system emphasizes that genuine repentance begins with an acknowledgment of one's transgression before God, a deep understanding that any breach of faith among the people or against holy things directly offends the divine presence among them. This law aimed to preserve both the spiritual purity of the camp and the moral integrity of its members, recognizing that unaddressed sin corrodes both individual souls and community holiness. For example, if someone defrauded a neighbor and then forgot or thought they got away with it, this law implies a divine standard that brings even forgotten wrongs to light and calls for conviction to set things right.