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

NUMBERS 5:8KJV
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Numbers 5:8 (KJV)

What does Numbers 5:8 mean?

Numbers 5:8 explains that if a person who was wronged has died and has no close relative to receive restitution, the payment for the wrongdoing should be given to the LORD, represented by the priest, along with the required ram for atonement. This ensures that restitution is still made even when no family member is available to receive it.

In this verse, God is giving Moses instructions for the Israelites about how to handle cases where someone has committed a wrong against another person and needs to make things right. If the wronged person has no living kinsman (family redeemer), the compensation does not simply go unpaid; instead, it is given to the priest as the LORD’s representative. This keeps the community’s sense of justice and responsibility intact, even when the usual process cannot be followed.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 5:8

  • "Kinsman" (גָּאַל, ga'al) means a close family redeemer, someone responsible for protecting family rights. The verse clarifies that if there is no such person, the restitution still has a place to go.
  • "Recompense" and "recompensed" (שׁוּב, shuv) both carry the idea of returning or restoring what was lost or taken. This highlights that the focus is on making things right, not just paying a penalty.
  • "Trespass" (אָשָׁם, asham) refers to a guilt or offense that requires both restitution and a specific offering. The use of this word shows the wrong is both a social and spiritual matter.
  • "Atonement" (כִּפֶּר, kippur) and "ram" (אַיִל, ayil) point to the ritual sacrifice needed to restore the relationship with God after the wrongdoing, not just with the person harmed.

Why Numbers 5:8 matters

  • Numbers 5:8 clarifies that justice and restitution are important even if the harmed person or their family cannot directly receive it, showing the seriousness of making things right.
  • The verse connects personal wrongs to the community’s relationship with God, since restitution ultimately goes to the LORD through the priest.
  • This instruction fits into a larger section about purity and responsibility in Israel, showing that God cares about both social fairness and spiritual restoration.

Where else these words appear

“atonement” Hebrew H3725 · used in 8 verses

  • Exodus 29:36 And thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement: and thou shalt cleanse the altar, when thou hast made an atonement for it, and thou shalt anoint it, to sanctify it.
  • Exodus 30:16 And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.
  • Leviticus 23:28 And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God.

“trespass” Hebrew H817 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 26:10 And Abimelech said, What is this thou hast done unto us? one of the people might lightly have lien with thy wife, and thou shouldest have brought guiltiness upon us.
  • Leviticus 7:37 This is the law of the burnt offering, of the meat offering, and of the sin offering, and of the trespass offering, and of the consecrations, and of the sacrifice of the peace offerings;
  • Numbers 18:9 This shall be thine of the most holy things, reserved from the fire: every oblation of theirs, every meat offering of theirs, and every sin offering of theirs, and every trespass offering of theirs, which they shall render unto me, shall be most holy for thee and for thy sons.

“kinsman” Hebrew H1350 · used in 84 verses

  • Genesis 48:16 The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.
  • Joshua 20:5 And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbour unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime.
  • Isaiah 41:14 Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

“made” Hebrew H3722 · used in 94 verses

  • Genesis 6:14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
  • Leviticus 14:21 And if he be poor, and cannot get so much; then he shall take one lamb for a trespass offering to be waved, to make an atonement for him, and one tenth deal of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering, and a log of oil;
  • Numbers 28:22 And one goat for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you.