Then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof, and add unto it the fifth part thereof, and give it unto him against whom he hath trespassed.
NUMBERS 5:7KJVWhat does Numbers 5:7 mean?
Numbers 5:7 instructs that when someone confesses a sin they have committed against another person, they must repay what was taken or lost, add an extra fifth (20%), and give it to the person they wronged. This verse sets out both the need for honest admission of guilt and a specific way to make things right.
In this part of Numbers, God is giving Moses laws for the Israelites about dealing with wrongs between people, especially when someone has cheated or harmed another. The verse highlights two steps: first, openly admitting the wrongdoing, and second, making full restitution with an added penalty to the victim, not just to God or the community.
The Hebrew behind Numbers 5:7
- יָדָה (yadah, "confess"): This word means to acknowledge or admit, often publicly. The verse emphasizes that confession is not just internal regret but a spoken, open act.
- חֵטְא (chet, "sin"): This word refers to a moral failure or offense, not just a mistake. The verse is about real harm done to another person.
- אָשָׁם (asham, "trespass"): This word highlights guilt or liability, especially in cases of wrongdoing that require compensation.
- רֹאשׁ (rosh, "principal"): Literally meaning "head" or "main part," this word refers to the full original amount owed, making it clear that the wrongdoer cannot shortchange the victim.
- חָמֵשׁ (chamesh, "fifth"): This means 20%. The law requires not just repayment but an extra amount, underlining the seriousness of making things right.
Why Numbers 5:7 matters
- Numbers 5:7 clarifies that making things right after wrongdoing involves both honest confession and real, tangible restitution, not just feeling sorry.
- The verse shows that God’s law values the person who was wronged, requiring the offender to pay back more than what was lost, which discourages casual or repeated offenses.
- This instruction connects to the broader biblical theme of justice and restoration, showing that repairing relationships between people is a key part of living out faith.