Numbers 5:1-6

On Defilement

1 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

2 "Command the sons of Israel that they ¹send away from the camp every leper and everyone having a ²discharge and everyone who is ³unclean because of a dead person.

3 "You shall send away both male and female; you shall send them outside * * the camp so that they will not defile their camp where I dwell ⁴in their midst."

4 The sons of Israel did so and sent them outside * * the camp; just as the LORD had spoken to Moses, thus the sons of Israel did.

5 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

6 "Speak to the sons of Israel, '⁵When a man or woman commits any * of the sins of mankind, acting unfaithfully against the LORD, and that person is guilty,

Numbers 5:1-6 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.

Cross References

• 1. Leviticus 13:8, 46; Num 12:10, 14, 15
• 2. Leviticus 15:2
• 3. Leviticus 21:1; Numbers 9:6-10; Numbers 19:11
• 4. Leviticus 26:12; Numbers 35:34
• 5. Lev 5:14-6:7