◄ Numbers 5:7 ►
and must confess the sin he has committed. He must make full restitution, add a fifth to its value, and give all this to the one he has wronged.
Study Bible
and confess the sin
The Hebrew word for "confess" is "yadah," which means to acknowledge or declare one's sin openly. In the biblical context, confession is not merely an admission of guilt but an act of humility and repentance before God and the community. This public acknowledgment is crucial in the process of reconciliation and restoration, emphasizing the importance of truthfulness and transparency in one's spiritual journey.

they have committed
The phrase underscores personal responsibility. The Hebrew root "asah" implies an action that is deliberate and conscious. This highlights the biblical principle that sin is not just a passive state but involves active participation. Recognizing one's role in the wrongdoing is essential for genuine repentance and transformation.

They must make full restitution
The concept of "restitution" comes from the Hebrew word "shalam," meaning to make whole or complete. This reflects God's justice, which requires not only acknowledgment of sin but also tangible steps to rectify the harm done. Restitution is a demonstration of sincere repentance and a commitment to restoring relationships and community harmony.

for the wrong they have done
The term "wrong" here is derived from the Hebrew "asham," indicating guilt or offense. It conveys the idea that sin disrupts the divine order and affects both the individual and the community. Understanding the gravity of one's actions is vital for seeking forgiveness and healing.

add a fifth of the value to it
This requirement to add a fifth, or 20%, is a unique aspect of biblical restitution, emphasizing the principle of going beyond mere compensation. It reflects God's call for generosity and the importance of making amends in a way that acknowledges the full impact of the wrongdoing. This additional offering serves as a tangible expression of repentance and a desire to restore trust.

and give it all to the person they have wronged
The directive to give restitution directly to the wronged party underscores the personal nature of reconciliation. It is not enough to make amends in a general sense; the offender must seek to restore the specific relationship that was damaged. This personal accountability is a cornerstone of biblical justice, fostering healing and unity within the community.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Israelites
The people to whom the laws in Numbers were given, representing God's chosen nation and their covenant relationship with Him.

2. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who received the laws from God and communicated them to the people.

3. The Wrongdoer
An individual among the Israelites who has committed a sin against another person, requiring confession and restitution.

4. The Wronged Party
The individual who has been wronged or harmed by the actions of the wrongdoer, entitled to compensation.

5. The Tabernacle
The central place of worship and the dwelling place of God's presence among the Israelites, where confessions and offerings were made.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Confession
Confession is a crucial step in the process of repentance and reconciliation. It acknowledges wrongdoing and opens the door for healing and restoration.

Restitution as a Biblical Principle
Making amends through restitution is a tangible expression of repentance. It demonstrates sincerity and a desire to restore what was lost or damaged.

The Role of Community in Accountability
The requirement to confess and make restitution underscores the importance of community in holding individuals accountable and supporting them in their spiritual growth.

God's Justice and Mercy
The law of restitution reflects God's justice, ensuring fairness and restoration, while also embodying His mercy by providing a path to reconciliation.

Practical Steps for Modern Believers
While the specific laws of restitution may not apply today, the principles of confession, making amends, and seeking reconciliation remain relevant for Christians in their relationships with others.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the requirement for confession and restitution in Numbers 5:7 reflect God's character and His desire for justice and reconciliation?

2. In what ways can the principle of restitution be applied in modern Christian life, especially in resolving conflicts and wrongs?

3. How does the process of confession and restitution strengthen the community of believers and foster accountability?

4. What are some practical steps you can take to make amends with someone you have wronged, in light of the teachings in Numbers 5:7 and related scriptures?

5. How do the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament build upon the principles found in Numbers 5:7 regarding confession and reconciliation?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 6:1-7
This passage outlines similar laws regarding restitution and offerings for guilt, emphasizing the importance of making amends and seeking forgiveness.

Matthew 5:23-24
Jesus teaches about reconciliation, highlighting the need to make things right with others before offering gifts at the altar.

1 John 1:9
This verse speaks to the importance of confession in the Christian life, promising forgiveness and cleansing from sin.

Luke 19:8
Zacchaeus' account illustrates the principle of restitution, as he offers to repay those he has wronged fourfold.

James 5:16
Encourages believers to confess their sins to one another, fostering healing and community.
Sermons
Confession and RestitutionD. Young Numbers 5:5-8
Conscience MoneyW. Binnie Numbers 5:5-10
Fraud and ForgivenessW. Jones.Numbers 5:6-10
RestitutionNumbers 5:6-10
The Law as to FraudW. Attersoll.Numbers 5:6-10
People
Ephah, Israelites, Moses
Places
Sinai
Topics
Add, Adding, Addition, Committed, Confess, Confessed, Fifth, Full, Giving, Guilt, Guilty, One-fifth, Openly, Payment, Principal, Recompense, Reference, Respect, Restitution, Restored, Sin, Sins, Thereof, Trespass, Trespassed, Wrong, Wronged
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 5:7

     1657   numbers, fractions

Numbers 5:1-7

     5707   male and female

Numbers 5:5-7

     5264   compensation
     6173   guilt, and God

Numbers 5:5-8

     6624   confession, of sin

Numbers 5:5-10

     6027   sin, remedy for

Numbers 5:6-7

     6733   repentance, nature of

Numbers 5:6-8

     6029   sin, forgiveness

Library
Meditations against Despair, or Doubting of God's Mercy.
It is found by continual experience, that near the time of death, when the children of God are weakest, then Satan makes the greatest nourish of his strength, and assails them with his strongest temptations. For he knows that either he must now or never prevail; for if their souls once go to heaven, he shall never vex nor trouble them any more. And therefore he will now bestir himself as much as he can, and labour to set before their eyes all the gross sins which ever they committed, and the judgments …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Ciii. Zacchæus. Parable of the Pounds. Journey to Jerusalem.
(Jericho.) ^C Luke XIX. 1-28. ^c 1 And he entered and was passing through Jericho. [This was about one week before the crucifixion. Jericho is about seven miles from the Jordan and about seventeen and a half from Jerusalem.] 2 And behold, a man called by name Zacchaeus; and he was a chief publican, and he was rich. [See p. 76. It is probable that Zacchæus was a sub-contractor under some Roman knight who had bought the privilege of collecting taxes at Jericho, or perhaps the privilege of all …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
CLEARLY EXPLAINED, AND LARGELY IMPROVED, FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL BELIEVERS. 1 John 2:1--"And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." By JOHN BUNYAN, Author of "The Pilgrim's Progress." London: Printed for Dorman Newman, at the King's Arms, in the Poultry, 1689. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This is one of the most interesting of Bunyan's treatises, to edit which required the Bible at my right hand, and a law dictionary on my left. It was very frequently republished; …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Subjects of Study. Home Education in Israel; Female Education. Elementary Schools, Schoolmasters, and School Arrangements.
If a faithful picture of society in ancient Greece or Rome were to be presented to view, it is not easy to believe that even they who now most oppose the Bible could wish their aims success. For this, at any rate, may be asserted, without fear of gainsaying, that no other religion than that of the Bible has proved competent to control an advanced, or even an advancing, state of civilisation. Every other bound has been successively passed and submerged by the rising tide; how deep only the student …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Jesus Heals a Leper and Creates Much Excitement.
^A Matt.VIII. 2-4; ^B Mark I. 40-45; ^C Luke V. 12-16. ^c 12 And it came to pass, while he was in one of the cities [it was a city of Galilee, but as it was not named, it is idle to conjecture which city it was], behold, ^b there cometh { ^a came} ^b to him a leper [There is much discussion as to what is here meant by leprosy. Two diseases now go by that name; viz., psoriasis and elephantiasis. There are also three varieties of psoriasis, namely, white, black and red. There are also three varieties …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Eternity of God
The next attribute is, God is eternal.' Psa 90:0. From everlasting to everlasting thou art God.' The schoolmen distinguish between aevun et aeternum, to explain the notion of eternity. There is a threefold being. I. Such as had a beginning; and shall have an end; as all sensitive creatures, the beasts, fowls, fishes, which at death are destroyed and return to dust; their being ends with their life. 2. Such as had a beginning, but shall have no end, as angels and the souls of men, which are eternal …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Numbers 5:7 NIV
Numbers 5:7 NLT
Numbers 5:7 ESV
Numbers 5:7 NASB
Numbers 5:7 KJV

Numbers 5:7 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Numbers 5:6
Top of Page
Top of Page