Numbers 5:7

7 they will confess their sin that they did and will make restitution [for] their guilt by adding a fifth {to it} and giving [it] {to whomever was wronged}.

Numbers 5:7 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 5:7

Then they shall confess their sin which they have done
The form of which confession, according to Fagius, was, O Lord, I am guilty of death, I have deserved to be stoned for this sin, or to be strangled for this trespass, or to be burnt for this crime

and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof, and
add unto it the fifth [part] thereof;
paying the whole of whatsoever he had in any manner defrauded his neighbour of, to which he was to add a fifth part of that; that is, as Aben Ezra interprets it, it he confesses of himself, but if there are witnesses of it he must add two fifths, and some say a fifth of a fifth:

and give [it] unto [him] against whom he hath trespassed;
as a satisfaction for the injury done him.

Numbers 5:7 In-Context

5 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

6 "Speak to the {Israelites}: 'When a man or woman {commits} any of the sins of humankind by acting unfaithfully, [it is] a sin against Yahweh, and that person will be guilty;

7 they will confess their sin that they did and will make restitution [for] their guilt by adding a fifth {to it} and giving [it] {to whomever was wronged}.

8 But if the man does not have a redeemer to make restitution to him for the reparation, the reparation is to be given to Yahweh for the priest, in addition to the ram of atonement by which atonement is made for him.

9 And every contribution of all the holy objects of the {Israelites} that they bring to the priest for him will be his.

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew "his"
• [b]. Literally "on top of it"
• [c]. Literally "to whomever he was guilty"