Numbers 5:8

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.

Numbers 5:8 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 5:8

But if a man have no kinsman to recompense the trespass to,
&c.] This supposes that if a man should die, against whom the trespass is, before the restitution is made, then it shall be made to his heirs; and if he has none, then it was to be given to the priest, as after directed: the Jews ^F7 generally understand this of a proselyte, that has no heirs, for they say, there is no Israelite but has kinsmen, a brother or a son, or some one or other near of kin to him, of his father's family, even up to Jacob:

let the trespass be recompensed unto the Lord, [even] to the priest;
that is, let the principal, with the fifth part, which is the recompence for the trespass committed, be given to the priest of the Lord, which is the same as if it was given to him, he being his minister:

beside the ram of the atonement, whereby an atonement shall be made
for him;
which, in this case, was ordered to be offered for the expiation, of the trespass, see ( Leviticus 6:6 Leviticus 6:7 ) ; the Jewish canon is,

``he that takes away anything by force from a proselyte, and swears to him, and he (the proselyte) dies, lo, he shall pay the principal and the fifth to the priests, and the trespass offering to the altar, as it is said, "if a man has no kinsman" when he brings the money and the trespass offering, and he is dead, the money shall be given to his sons, but the trespass offering (the ram) shall feed until it contracts some blemish, and then it shall be sold, and the price of it shall fall to the freewill offerings ^F8.''

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FOOTNOTES:

F7 Maimon. & Bartenora in Misn. Bava Kama, c. 9. sect. 11. Jarchi in loc.
F8 Misn. Bava Kama, ib.

Numbers 5:8 In-Context

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.

10 The holy objects of a man will be for him; whatever he gives to the priest will be for him.'"