Numbers 5:5 Study Bible: The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

◄ Numbers 5:5 ►

And the LORD said to Moses,

And the LORD
This phrase signifies the direct communication from God, emphasizing His authority and the divine origin of the instructions that follow. The Hebrew word for "LORD" here is "Yahweh," the sacred and personal name of God, which underscores His covenant relationship with Israel. This name is a reminder of God's eternal presence and faithfulness, as revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). In a conservative Christian perspective, this highlights the continuity of God's revelation and His unchanging nature.

said
The Hebrew verb "amar" is used here, which means "to say" or "to speak." This verb is often used in the context of divine revelation, indicating that what follows is not merely human instruction but a message from God Himself. This underscores the importance of the message and the need for obedience. In the broader biblical narrative, God's spoken word is powerful and creative, as seen in Genesis 1, where God speaks the world into existence.

to Moses
Moses is the chosen leader and prophet through whom God communicates His laws and guidance to the Israelites. His role as a mediator is crucial, as he stands between God and the people, receiving divine instructions and conveying them to the nation. Historically, Moses is a central figure in the Pentateuch, and his leadership is foundational for the identity and faith of Israel. From a conservative Christian viewpoint, Moses is also a type of Christ, foreshadowing the ultimate mediator between God and humanity, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 3:1-6).

Persons / Places / Events

1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who communicates His laws and instructions to His people through Moses.

2. Moses
The leader and prophet of Israel, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and to mediate His laws and commandments.

3. Israelites
The chosen people of God, who are receiving instructions on how to live in holiness and community under God's covenant.

4. The Wilderness
The setting where the Israelites are journeying from Egypt to the Promised Land, a place of testing and divine revelation.

5. The Tabernacle
The dwelling place of God among His people, representing His presence and holiness.

Teaching Points

Divine Communication
God speaks to His people through chosen leaders, emphasizing the importance of listening to and obeying His Word.

Holiness and Community
The instructions given to Moses highlight the need for holiness and integrity within the community of believers, reflecting God's character.

Restitution and Reconciliation
The principle of making restitution for wrongs committed is a timeless truth that fosters reconciliation and peace within relationships.

Confession and Forgiveness
Confession is a vital step in the process of forgiveness and restoration, both with God and with others.

Living in Obedience
Obedience to God's commands is essential for maintaining a right relationship with Him and with others, demonstrating our love and commitment to His ways.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the communication between God and Moses in Numbers 5:5 reflect the importance of divine guidance in our lives today?

2. In what ways can the principles of restitution and reconciliation found in Numbers 5:5 be applied to modern-day conflicts and relationships?

3. How does the concept of holiness in the community of Israel relate to the church's call to be set apart in today's world?

4. What steps can we take to ensure that we are living in obedience to God's commands, as demonstrated in the instructions given to Moses?

5. How do the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament reinforce the principles found in Numbers 5:5 regarding confession and making amends?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Leviticus 6:1-7
This passage provides additional context on the laws of restitution and confession, emphasizing the importance of making amends for wrongs committed against others.

Matthew 5:23-24
Jesus teaches about reconciliation, highlighting the importance of resolving conflicts and making restitution before offering gifts at the altar.

1 John 1:9
This verse underscores the principle of confession and forgiveness, assuring believers of God's faithfulness to forgive when we confess our sins.

Sermons

Confession and Restitution	D. Young	Numbers 5:5-8
Conscience Money	W. Binnie	Numbers 5:5-10

People

Ephah, Israelites, Moses

Places

Sinai

Topics

Saying, Spake, Speaketh, Spoke

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Numbers 5:1-7

5707 male and female

Numbers 5:5-6

8840 unfaithfulness, to God

Numbers 5:5-7

     5264   compensation
     5492   restitution
     6173   guilt, and God

Numbers 5:5-8

     6624   confession, of sin
     7370   guilt offering
     7388   kinsman-redeemer

Numbers 5:5-10

6027 sin, remedy for

Library

Meditations against Despair, or Doubting of God's Mercy.
It is found by continual experience, that near the time of death, when the children of God are weakest, then Satan makes the greatest nourish of his strength, and assails them with his strongest temptations. For he knows that either he must now or never prevail; for if their souls once go to heaven, he shall never vex nor trouble them any more. And therefore he will now bestir himself as much as he can, and labour to set before their eyes all the gross sins which ever they committed, and the judgments …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Ciii. Zacchæus. Parable of the Pounds. Journey to Jerusalem.
(Jericho.) ^C Luke XIX. 1-28. ^c 1 And he entered and was passing through Jericho. [This was about one week before the crucifixion. Jericho is about seven miles from the Jordan and about seventeen and a half from Jerusalem.] 2 And behold, a man called by name Zacchaeus; and he was a chief publican, and he was rich. [See p. 76. It is probable that Zacchæus was a sub-contractor under some Roman knight who had bought the privilege of collecting taxes at Jericho, or perhaps the privilege of all …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
CLEARLY EXPLAINED, AND LARGELY IMPROVED, FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL BELIEVERS. 1 John 2:1--"And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." By JOHN BUNYAN, Author of "The Pilgrim's Progress." London: Printed for Dorman Newman, at the King's Arms, in the Poultry, 1689. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This is one of the most interesting of Bunyan's treatises, to edit which required the Bible at my right hand, and a law dictionary on my left. It was very frequently republished; …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Subjects of Study. Home Education in Israel; Female Education. Elementary Schools, Schoolmasters, and School Arrangements.
If a faithful picture of society in ancient Greece or Rome were to be presented to view, it is not easy to believe that even they who now most oppose the Bible could wish their aims success. For this, at any rate, may be asserted, without fear of gainsaying, that no other religion than that of the Bible has proved competent to control an advanced, or even an advancing, state of civilisation. Every other bound has been successively passed and submerged by the rising tide; how deep only the student …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Jesus Heals a Leper and Creates Much Excitement.
^A Matt.VIII. 2-4; ^B Mark I. 40-45; ^C Luke V. 12-16. ^c 12 And it came to pass, while he was in one of the cities [it was a city of Galilee, but as it was not named, it is idle to conjecture which city it was], behold, ^b there cometh { ^a came} ^b to him a leper [There is much discussion as to what is here meant by leprosy. Two diseases now go by that name; viz., psoriasis and elephantiasis. There are also three varieties of psoriasis, namely, white, black and red. There are also three varieties …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Eternity of God
The next attribute is, God is eternal.' Psa 90:0. From everlasting to everlasting thou art God.' The schoolmen distinguish between aevun et aeternum, to explain the notion of eternity. There is a threefold being. I. Such as had a beginning; and shall have an end; as all sensitive creatures, the beasts, fowls, fishes, which at death are destroyed and return to dust; their being ends with their life. 2. Such as had a beginning, but shall have no end, as angels and the souls of men, which are eternal …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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