Numbers 5:7

7 Then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal of it, and add to it the fifth [part] of it, and give [it] to [him] against whom he hath trespassed.

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 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

6 Speak to 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 shall be guilty;

7 Then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal of it, and add to it the fifth [part] of it, and give [it] to [him] against whom he hath trespassed.

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

9 And every offering of all the holy things of the children of Israel, which they bring to the priest, shall be his.