Numbers 5 7

Numbers 5:7 kjv

Then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof, and add unto it the fifth part thereof, and give it unto him against whom he hath trespassed.

Numbers 5:7 nkjv

then he shall confess the sin which he has committed. He shall make restitution for his trespass in full, plus one-fifth of it, and give it to the one he has wronged.

Numbers 5:7 niv

and must confess the sin they have committed. They must make full restitution for the wrong they have done, add a fifth of the value to it and give it all to the person they have wronged.

Numbers 5:7 esv

he shall confess his sin that he has committed. And he shall make full restitution for his wrong, adding a fifth to it and giving it to him to whom he did the wrong.

Numbers 5:7 nlt

They must confess their sin and make full restitution for what they have done, adding an additional 20 percent and returning it to the person who was wronged.

Numbers 5 verses

Numbers 5 7 Meaning

This verse outlines the necessary steps for an Israelite who has committed a sin or trespass that involves wronging another person. It demands a direct, verbal confession of the specific sin, followed by full financial restoration of the principal amount taken or damaged. Additionally, a punitive and compensatory sum of one-fifth (20%) of the principal value must be added. This entire restitution must be given directly to the individual who was wronged, ensuring a practical and tangible making right of the offense.

Numbers 5 7 Context

Numbers chapter 5 details God's instructions for maintaining the ritual and moral purity of the Israelite camp, vital for a holy God dwelling in their midst. The chapter begins with directives for removing ritually unclean persons (lepers, those with discharges, those defiled by death) from the camp (vv. 1-4). Immediately following these instructions for ceremonial purity, verses 5-10 shift focus to moral purity, specifically addressing breaches of trust and property against fellow Israelites. This segment begins in verse 6 by establishing that if any Israelite commits a trespass (Hebrew: ma'al - an act of unfaithfulness) against another person, thereby being unfaithful to the LORD, they are guilty. Verse 7 then elaborates on the mandatory process for restitution and reconciliation following such a transgression. The law described in this verse is primarily concerned with visible, tangible wrongdoings that cause financial or material harm to an individual. It emphasizes direct accountability and personal responsibility, ensuring that interpersonal wrongs are genuinely made right, reinforcing the idea that sin against one's neighbor is also a sin against God.

Numbers 5 7 Word analysis

• "then he shall confess" (וְהִתְוַדָּה - v'hitvaddah): Derived from the root yadah (יָדָה), meaning "to cast, to shoot," in its Hithpael (reflexive/intensive) form it means "to confess, to acknowledge, to give thanks." Here, it signifies a deep, internal admission of guilt, an active and public acknowledgment of wrongdoing before God and, implicitly, before the wronged party. This confession is not merely a formality but a foundational spiritual and ethical step for reconciliation and purification, signifying remorse and a willingness to accept responsibility.

• "his sin which he has committed" (חַטָּאתוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה - chatta'to asher asah): Chatta'ah (חַטָּאָה) means "sin," "guilt," or "offering for sin." It refers to any moral transgression or missing of the mark that incurs guilt, particularly with a direct consequence or harm to another. Asah (עָשָׂה) means "to do" or "to commit." The phrase emphasizes the specific, tangible act of wrongdoing that caused the trespass. This confession must be explicit and specific to the offense.

• "and he shall make restitution for his trespass" (וְהֵשִׁיב אֶת־אֲשָׁמוֹ - v'heshiv et-ashamo): Heshib (הֵשִׁיב), from the root shuv (שׁוּב - to return), means "to give back," "restore," or "repay." This is the core principle of restitution, aiming to set right the material wrong. Asham (אָשָׁם) here refers to the "trespass" or "guilt" itself, which also lent its name to the "trespass offering" (guilt offering). It implies not just guilt but the debt incurred by the offense, requiring repayment. The action goes beyond a verbal apology; it necessitates a tangible repayment.

• "in full" (בְּרֹאשׁוֹ - bero'sho): Literally "in its head," signifying the full principal amount or the original value of what was wronged or taken. There is no negotiation or reduction allowed; the victim must be fully compensated for their loss without discount.

• "and add to it one-fifth more" (וַחֲמִשִׁתָו וַאֲשֶׁר עָלָיו - va'chamishitav v'asher alav): Chamishit (חֲמִישִׁת) means "one-fifth" or "the fifth part." This mandatory 20% surcharge serves multiple purposes: it acts as a penalty for the transgression, compensates the wronged party for any inconvenience or potential additional, unquantifiable damages, and disincentivizes future wrongdoing. It makes the cost of transgression higher than the benefit derived from it. Alav (עָלָיו) means "upon it" or "in addition to it."

• "and give it to the one whom he has wronged" (וְנָתַן לַאֲשֶׁר חָטָא לוֹ - v'natan la'asher chata lo): Natan (נָתַן) means "to give." The restitution, including the 20% addition, is to be delivered directly to the victim (la'asher chata lo - "to the one whom he sinned against him"). This personal act of repayment is crucial for interpersonal reconciliation and prevents unjust enrichment of the priests if a living kin exists (as happens when no relative is available, in Num 5:8).

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "then he shall confess his sin...and he shall make restitution": This sequence emphasizes the two inseparable components of true repentance in this context: internal acknowledgment (confession) and external action (restitution). Spiritual contrition without practical amends is insufficient, just as material restitution without genuine confession lacks true remorse.
  • "in full, and add to it one-fifth more": This phrase details the comprehensive and generous nature of the required restoration. It establishes God's standard of justice that goes beyond merely making the victim whole; it includes a penalty and ensures over-compensation, leaving no doubt about the gravity of the offense or the full desire for reconciliation.
  • "give it to the one whom he has wronged": This highlights the personal and direct nature of the justice involved. The injured party is not only recognized but directly compensated, fostering interpersonal restoration and holding the wrongdoer accountable to the victim directly.

Numbers 5 7 Bonus section

This verse (and the surrounding passage) is crucial for understanding the Old Testament asham (guilt or trespass) offering, as found in Leviticus 6:1-7. While the asham offering provided ritual atonement and forgiveness before God for trespasses involving financial or property issues, it was predicated on the offender first completing the practical steps outlined in Numbers 5:7: confessing the sin, making full restitution, and adding the 20% penalty. This demonstrates that true repentance in God's eyes for wrongs against others must involve a holistic process—acknowledging the sin to God, seeking forgiveness from the wronged party (through confession and action), and materially compensating for the damage caused. The spiritual reconciliation through the offering was contingent on fulfilling the demands of interpersonal justice. It reveals that the biblical concept of righteousness isn't merely ritualistic but deeply ethical and communal.

Numbers 5 7 Commentary

Numbers 5:7 articulates a profound principle of biblical justice: genuine repentance for wrongs against others demands both verbal confession and tangible restitution. This verse, arising within the Mosaic Law's regulations for camp purity, teaches that breaches of faith or material wrongdoings within the community are not merely social missteps but acts against God Himself. Therefore, cleansing from such sin requires not only a spiritual acknowledgment of guilt but also practical efforts to restore the wronged party to their original, or even a better, state. The requirement of an additional one-fifth (20%) demonstrates God's commitment to complete fairness, penalizing the offender and providing comprehensive compensation for the victim, which would include losses due to inconvenience, emotional distress, or other hidden costs. This divine mandate fostered a society built on accountability, discouraging dishonest practices and promoting diligent care for one another, as foundational to a people set apart for God.Examples:

• A person who defamed another should not only apologize but also take tangible steps to repair the reputation, if possible, perhaps by publicly affirming the truth.
• One who accidentally damages a neighbor's property should fully repair or replace it and offer additional compensation for their inconvenience.
• Someone who borrowed money and repaid it late might, by principle, add a small extra amount as acknowledgment of the delayed benefit to the lender, even if not legally required in modern contexts.