Numbers 5:1-6

1 The Lord said to Moses,

2 "Command the people of Israel to expel from the camp everyone with a dreaded skin disease or a bodily discharge and everyone who is unclean by contact with a corpse.

3 Send all these ritually unclean people out, so that they will not defile the camp, where I live among my people."

4 The Israelites obeyed and expelled them all from the camp.

5 The Lord gave Moses ¹

6 the following instructions for the people of Israel. When any of you are unfaithful to the Lord and commit a wrong against someone,

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. 5.5-8Leviticus 6.1-7.