Numbers 5:5-10
Summary for Num 5:5-10: 5:5-10 a Guidelines regarding confession and restitution for wrongdoing emphasize the strong Hebrew concern for morality (Lev 6:1-7 b).5:6 c Doing something wrong to another human being is the same as betraying—literally breaking faith with—the Lord (cp. 5:8 d). A right relationship with God produces right relationships with people; a wrong relationship with others shows a wrong relationship with the Lord.
5:7 e This restitution and the guilt offering (see Lev 6–7 f) associated with the sin was intended to inculcate a heightened sense of individual responsibility to God’s holiness.
5:8 g Because sin is ultimately against God (5:6 h; Ps 51:4 i), the perpetrator had a moral obligation to make restitution to the Lord, who authorized the human victims of the sin to receive that payment; if none were living, the Lord received payment through the priest. Perpetrators also had to offer a valuable sacrifice that restored their ritual purity (Num 5:1-4 j) and their relationship with God.
• purified and made right with the Lord: See study note on Lev 1:4.
Summary for Num 5:9-10: 5:9-10 k Priests supported their families partly by receiving a share of the sacrifices. In some instances, surplus sacrifices could be sold to provide funds for the priesthood, for maintaining the sanctuary, and for other religious needs (cp. 1 Cor 8:4-13 l).
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