Numbers 5:7

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וְהִתְוַדּ֗וּ Then they shall confess H3034
וְהִתְוַדּ֗וּ Then they shall confess
Strong's: H3034
Word #: 1 of 16
physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha
אֶֽת H853
אֶֽת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 2 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
חַטָּאתָם֮ their sin H2403
חַטָּאתָם֮ their sin
Strong's: H2403
Word #: 3 of 16
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 4 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָשׂוּ֒ which they have done H6213
עָשׂוּ֒ which they have done
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 5 of 16
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וְהֵשִׁ֤יב and he shall recompense H7725
וְהֵשִׁ֤יב and he shall recompense
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 6 of 16
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 7 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשָׁמוֹ֙ his trespass H817
אֲשָׁמוֹ֙ his trespass
Strong's: H817
Word #: 8 of 16
guilt; by implication, a fault; also a sin-offering
בְּרֹאשׁ֔וֹ with the principal H7218
בְּרֹאשׁ֔וֹ with the principal
Strong's: H7218
Word #: 9 of 16
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
וַחֲמִֽישִׁת֖וֹ unto it the fifth H2549
וַחֲמִֽישִׁת֖וֹ unto it the fifth
Strong's: H2549
Word #: 10 of 16
fifth; also a fifth
יֹסֵ֣ף thereof and add H3254
יֹסֵ֣ף thereof and add
Strong's: H3254
Word #: 11 of 16
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
עָלָ֑יו H5921
עָלָ֑יו
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 12 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְנָתַ֕ן part thereof and give H5414
וְנָתַ֕ן part thereof and give
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 13 of 16
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לַֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר H834
לַֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 14 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אָשַׁ֥ם it unto him against whom he hath trespassed H816
אָשַׁ֥ם it unto him against whom he hath trespassed
Strong's: H816
Word #: 15 of 16
to be guilty; by implication to be punished or perish
לֽוֹ׃ H0
לֽוֹ׃
Strong's: H0
Word #: 16 of 16

Analysis & Commentary

This law requires confession and restitution when someone 'commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the LORD.' The Hebrew 'yadah' (confess) means to acknowledge openly, while making full restitution plus twenty percent demonstrates genuine repentance bearing fruit. The phrase 'trespass against the LORD' shows that sins against people are ultimately sins against God (cf. Ps 51:4, 'Against thee, thee only, have I sinned'). This law requires both vertical reconciliation (confession to God) and horizontal reconciliation (restitution to the wronged party), foreshadowing Christ's teaching on reconciliation (Matt 5:23-24) and Zacchaeus's response to grace (Luke 19:8).

Historical Context

Given at Sinai as part of the Holiness Code, this law maintained community integrity. The twenty percent addition ensured victims weren't disadvantaged by theft and deterred future offenses. If the wronged party died without heirs, restitution went to the priests, acknowledging the offense against God's community. This law influenced later Jewish halakha (legal rulings) and demonstrates that Old Testament law emphasized restorative, not merely punitive, justice. True confession leads to tangible restitution, not mere words.

Questions for Reflection

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