Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 5:7

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.

7. make restitution for his guilt ] lit. ‘restore his guilt,’ abstract for concrete; he shall restore that which he guiltily holds in possession; and similarly in Num 5:8.

the fifth part ] The same compensation is enjoined in other cases the eating of sacred food unwittingly (Lev 22:14), the redemption of an unclean animal that has been vowed (Lev 27:11-13), or that is a firstling ( id. 27), and the redemption of tithe ( id. 31).

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Verse 7. Shall confess their sin] Without confession or acknowledgment of sin, there was no hope of mercy held out.

He shall recompense] For without restitution, in every possible case, God will not for give the iniquity of a man’s sin. How can any person in a case of defraud, with his neighbour’s property in his possession, expect to receive mercy from the hand of a just and holy God?

See this subject considered in Clarke’s notes on “Ge 42:38“.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

They shall not continue in the denial of the fact, as such persons oft do, but shall give glory to God, and take shame to themselves, by acknowledging their sin with grief and remorse. See Lev 5:5; 6:4.

With the principal thereof; i.e. the thing he took away, or what is equivalent to it.

The fifth part thereof is added both as a compensation to the injured person for the want of his goods so long, and for his trouble for the supposed utter loss of them, and as a penalty upon the injurious dealer to discourage others from such attempts.

Quest. How doth this agree with that law, Exo 22:1?

Answer. That law was made against notorious and obstinate thieves, who were legally convicted of their crime, and this against more modest thieves, whose necessities might induce them to steal, and whose consciences are affected with their sin.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

Then they shall confess their sin which they have done,…. The form of which confession, according to Fagius, was, O Lord, I am guilty of death, I have deserved to be stoned for this sin, or to be strangled for this trespass, or to be burnt for this crime, c.

and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof, and add unto it the fifth [part] thereof paying the whole of whatsoever he had in any manner defrauded his neighbour of, to which he was to add a fifth part of that; that is, as Aben Ezra interprets it, it he confesses of himself, but if there are witnesses of it he must add two fifths, and some say a fifth of a fifth:

and give [it] unto [him] against whom he hath trespassed; as a satisfaction for the injury done him.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

7. They shall confess their sin This was not a forced acknowledgment of a person detected in dishonesty which he is trying to hide, but a voluntary confession of a truly penitent heart conscious of guilt. Confession is the ordained manifestation of sincere sorrow for sin.

The principal and fifth part Restitution, if possible, must always accompany true repentance. To confess and still clutch the “guilty prize” is a mockery of God and man. The fifth part of the value was to be added to compensate the injured person, If the crime had not been voluntarily confessed, but had been lawfully proven, the convicted thief would have been liable to a fine of fourfold if the thing had been sold or the animal slain, and there was no possibility of voluntary restitution. Exo 22:1. The difference is, that the one is directed against flagrant and wilful thieves, and the other against those who have committed fraud through extreme want and strong temptation, and against the light of conscience which is now giving them no rest, but is prompting them to confession.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Num 5:7. Then they shall confess their sin which they have done Then he shall confess the wrong he hath done.

REFLECTIONS.We have here,

1. The separation of the unclean from the camp and tabernacle till the cause of it was removed. Note; (1.) God’s church and people must have no fellowship with the unholy and impure. (2.) Such should be cut off from the visible communion of saints. (3.) If not before, at death the separation will be made, and that final and eternal.

2. The restitution of unjust gain, or fraudulent acquisitions. Though it cover the delinquent with shame, confession must be made; and better take shame before man, than be covered with everlasting confusion before men and angels. Atonement to God must be offered, (figurative of the Great Atonement on the cross,) as well as restitution to man, with a fifth part over: if the injured person were dead, his near kinsman was entitled to it; if he had none, it was the priest’s. Restitution must be made. The poor are now God’s receivers, when the party injured cannot be found. The priest who officiated was entitled to the hallowed things of the atoning sacrifice; it is fit that he who doth the work should have the wages.

Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke

Num 5:7 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.

Ver. 7. Then they shall confess their sin. ] So they were bound to do, all their sins. Pro 28:13 Job 33:27-28 Confessio peccati est medicina peccati, saith Nazianzen; a sin acknowledged is half amended.

And he shall recompense his trespass. ] Restitution must be made of goods unjustly detained, or else you shall cough in hell, said Mr Latimer. Our King Henry VII, in his last will and testament, after the disposing of his soul and body, he devised and willed restitution should be made, of all such moneys as had unjustly been levied by his officers. a So did Selymus the great Turk give orders at his death for the restoring and recompensing of the great treasure he had taken from the Persian merchants. b

a Speed’s Hist., fol. 995.

b Turk. Hist., fol. 767.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

recompense = return back.

trespass. Hebrew. ‘asham. App-44.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

confess: Lev 5:5, Lev 26:40, Jos 7:19, Job 33:27, Job 33:28, Psa 32:5, Pro 28:13, 1Jo 1:8-10

and he shall: Not only confession, but restitution, in every possible case, is necessary in order to obtain forgiveness.

with the principal: Lev 5:15, Lev 6:4-7, Lev 7:7, Luk 19:8

Reciprocal: Exo 22:1 – he shall Exo 22:9 – for all manner of trespass Lev 5:16 – the fifth Lev 6:5 – restore Mat 3:6 – confessing

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Num 5:7. They shall confess their sin They shall not continue in the denial of the fact, but give glory to God, and take shame to themselves by acknowledging it. The principal That is, the thing he took away, or what is equivalent to it. And add Both as a compensation to the injured person for want of his goods so long, and as a penalty upon the injurious dealer, to discourage others from such attempts.

Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments