Numbers 5:1-8

1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:

2 "Command the children of Israel that they put out of the camp every leper and every one who hath an issue and whosoever is defiled by the dead.

3 Both male and female shall ye put out. Outside the camp shall ye put them, that they defile not their camps in the midst whereof I dwell."

4 And the children of Israel did so, and put them out outside the camp; as the LORD spoke unto Moses, so did the children of Israel.

5 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying,

6 "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,

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

8 But if the man have no kinsman to recompense the trespass unto, let the trespass be recompensed unto the LORD, even to the priest, besides the ram of the atonement, whereby an atonement shall be made for him.

Numbers 5:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 5

This chapter contains a repetition of some former laws, concerning putting unclean persons out of the camp, Nu 5:1-4; making restitution in case of trespass against another, Nu 5:5-8; and of giving the offering of all holy things and all hallowed things to the priests, Nu 5:9,10; and a new law concerning jealousy, in a man, of his wife, Nu 5:11-14; when she was to be brought to the priest, and various rites and ceremonies to be used, Nu 5:15-23; who was to give her bitter water as a trial of her chastity, which, if guilty, would have a strange effect upon her, and make her accursed, but if not, would not affect her, and she would be free and happy, Nu 5:24-31.