Numbers 5:5-8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 5:1-10

Here is, I. A command for the purifying of the camp, by turning out from within its lines all those that were ceremonially unclean, by issues, leprosies, or the touch of dead bodies, until they were cleansed according to the law, Luke 5:2; 3. 1. These orders are executed immediately, Luke 5:4. (1.) The camp was now newly-modelled and put in order, and therefore, to complete the reformation of it, it is next to be cleansed. Note, The purity of the church must be as carefully consulted and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 5:5

And the Lord spake unto Moses ,.... Or continued to speak to him at the same time: saying ; as follows. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 5:6

Speak unto the children of Israel ,.... Put them in mind of the following law, that they observe it; and which is here repeated, because of two new things in it, as Jarchi observes, the one relates to confession, teaching that there is no fifth part nor trespass offering by witnesses, till a man confesses the thing; and the other is, concerning taking anything away by violence from a proselyte, which is to be given to the priests; see the original law in Leviticus 6:1 , when a man or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 5:7

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 5:8

But if a man have no kinsman to recompense the trespass to ,.... This supposes that if a man should die, against whom the trespass is, before the restitution is made, then it shall be made to his heirs; and if he has none, then it was to be given to the priest, as after directed: the Jews F7 Maimon. & Bartenora in Misn. Bava Kama, c. 9. sect. 11. Jarchi in loc. generally understand this of a proselyte, that has no heirs, for they say, there is no Israelite but has kinsmen, a... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 5:7

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 neighbor's property in his possession, expect to receive mercy from the hand of a just and holy God? See this subject considered in the notes on Genesis 42:38 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 5:8

If the man have no kinsman - The Jews think that this law respects the stranger and the sojourner only, because every Israelite is in a state of affinity to all the rest; but there might be a stranger in the camp who has no relative in any of the tribes of Israel. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 5:5

Verse 5 5.And the Lord spoke unto Moses. Although at the outset He seems to include all trespasses, yet we gather from the context that the precept only refers to things stolen or fraudulently withheld, that he, who is conscious of his guilt, should make reparation. It must be observed, however, that the law relates to more secret thefts, which are not usually brought to justice: and on this account it is said, “If they have committed any sin after the manner of men, they must not seek for... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 5:8

Verse 8 8But if the man have no kinsman. This passage, which I have inserted from chapter 5 is connected (213) indeed with another subject, and yet, because it directly refers to the right of the priests, it was necessary to remove it to this place, especially since it expresses that kind of sacrifice which Moses has lately adverted to, i.e., when they expiated the crime of theft. God did not indeed desire that the priests should be enriched by others’ losses, nor that thieves should go free,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Numbers 5:1-7

I. THAT NO LEPER MIGHT STAY IN THE CAMP OF ISRAEL ; HE MUST BE " WITHOUT ." Even so it is the necessary fate of the sinner, who is the true leper,—a fate which God himself, as we may reverently believe, cannot alter,—that he must be for ever separated from the company of all pure and holy beings ( Hebrews 12:14 ; Revelation 21:27 ; Revelation 22:15 ). Until he is healed he may be with, but not of, the people of God; numbered with them indeed, and... read more

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