Keraia
Numbers 5

Numbers 5:6

Confession and Restitution · Numbers 5:5–10
Read Numbers 5

Translations

Modern
“Tell the Israelites that when a man or woman acts unfaithfully against the LORD by committing any sin against another, that person is guilty
Traditional
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;
Literal
“Speak to the sons of Israel, a man or woman, when they do from all the sins of the man, to act unfaithfully—an unfaithfulness—against YHWH, and that soul is guilty,
Latin
Loquere ad filios Israël: Vir, sive mulier, cum fecerint ex omnibus peccatis, quæ solent hominibus accidere, et per negligentiam transgressi fuerint mandatum Domini, atque deliquerint,

Original

Hebrew
English
“Tell the Israelites that when a man or woman acts unfaithfully against the LORD by committing any sin against another, that person is guilty

Notes

Numbers 5:6

Harming another person is also betraying the Lord (literally to act unfaithful in unfaithfulness; compare Leviticus 5:8). Being right with God leads to being right with others. If we treat others wrongly, it shows our relationship with the Lord is not right.

Numbers 5:5–10

The laws about confession and restitution show the strong Hebrew concern for moral behavior (Leviticus 6:1–7).

Confession means admitting one’s sin before God. Restitution means making things right by repaying what was taken or damaged. A person who wronged another had to return what was stolen and often add more as a penalty.

Numbers 5:1–31

These laws speak about cleanliness, repayment, and staying faithful in marriage.

Numbers 5:1–10:10

These legal matters were meant to protect the purity of the Israelites, their priests, and the tabernacle. Purity here refers to being clean and set apart for worship.

These rules helped the people remember who they were. Israel was a theocracy (a nation ruled directly by God). God was their true king.

Moses served as God’s main spokesman. Through him, God gave laws and instructions to the people.

Parallels

Luke 19:1–10

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Biblical Concept of Law Courts and Trials Deuteronomy, Book of Miscarriage Numbers, Book of Offerings and Sacrifices

Topics

Confession of Sin: should be Accompanied With: Restitution Penitent: Promises To Prayer: Confession In