But if the man has no relative to whom restitution can be made for the wrong, the restitution belongs to the LORD and must be given to the priest along with the ram of atonement, by which the atonement is made for him. But if the man has no relative to whom restitution can be made for the wrongIn ancient Israel, the concept of restitution was integral to maintaining justice and community harmony. The law required that wrongs be righted by compensating the victim or their family. This phrase highlights a situation where the wronged party has no living relatives to receive restitution. This reflects the importance of family and kinship in Israelite society, where family lines were crucial for inheritance and social structure. The absence of a relative underscores the communal responsibility to uphold justice even when direct family ties are absent. the restitution belongs to the LORD
In the absence of a human recipient, restitution is directed to God, signifying that all justice ultimately belongs to Him. This reflects the theocratic nature of Israelite society, where God was seen as the ultimate judge and authority. The restitution being directed to the LORD emphasizes the sacredness of justice and the belief that God is the protector of the vulnerable and the wronged. This principle is echoed in other parts of Scripture, such as Proverbs 19:17, which speaks of lending to the LORD by giving to the poor. and must be given to the priest
The priests served as intermediaries between God and the people, and they were responsible for maintaining the spiritual and ritual purity of the community. By giving the restitution to the priest, the act becomes a sacred offering, acknowledging God's sovereignty and the priest's role in administering divine justice. This also provided for the sustenance of the priesthood, as they had no inheritance of land and relied on offerings for their livelihood, as outlined in Numbers 18:20-24. along with the ram of atonement
The ram of atonement is a sacrificial offering that signifies the need for reconciliation with God. Sacrifices were central to the Israelite system of worship and atonement, symbolizing the seriousness of sin and the need for divine forgiveness. The inclusion of the ram highlights the dual aspect of restitution: addressing the wrong done to another person and the offense against God. This foreshadows the ultimate atonement through Jesus Christ, who is often typified as the sacrificial lamb in the New Testament (John 1:29). by which the atonement is made for him
Atonement involves the removal of sin and the restoration of a right relationship with God. In the Old Testament, this was achieved through prescribed sacrifices and offerings. The phrase underscores the necessity of atonement for reconciliation with God, a theme that runs throughout Scripture. The sacrificial system points to the ultimate atonement made by Christ, whose death and resurrection provide the final and complete means of reconciliation for humanity (Hebrews 9:12-14). This connection emphasizes the continuity of God's plan for redemption from the Old Testament to the New Testament. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Man with No Close RelativeThis refers to an individual who has committed a wrong and needs to make restitution but has no living family member to receive it. 2. The LORDThe ultimate recipient of restitution when no earthly relative is available, signifying God's sovereignty and justice. 3. The PriestThe mediator who receives the restitution on behalf of the LORD, highlighting the priestly role in the atonement process. 4. The Ram of AtonementAn offering made to atone for the wrong, symbolizing the need for sacrifice in the process of reconciliation with God. 5. RestitutionThe act of making amends for a wrong, emphasizing the importance of justice and restoration in the community. Teaching Points The Importance of RestitutionRestitution is a biblical principle that underscores the need for justice and reconciliation. It is not enough to simply apologize; tangible actions must accompany repentance. God's Sovereignty in JusticeWhen no earthly recipient is available, restitution is made to God, reminding us that all justice ultimately belongs to Him. This teaches us to trust in God's perfect justice. The Role of the PriestThe priest acts as a mediator, pointing to the ultimate mediation of Christ. This highlights the importance of spiritual leadership and guidance in the process of reconciliation. Atonement and SacrificeThe requirement of a ram for atonement illustrates the seriousness of sin and the necessity of sacrifice. It foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins. Community and AccountabilityThe process of restitution involves the community, emphasizing the importance of accountability and the restoration of relationships within the body of believers. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the concept of restitution in Numbers 5:8 apply to our modern-day relationships and conflicts? 2. In what ways does the role of the priest in this passage point to the work of Jesus Christ as our High Priest? 3. How can we ensure that our acts of repentance are accompanied by genuine restitution and reconciliation? 4. What does this passage teach us about God's view of justice and how we should approach issues of wrongdoing in our lives? 5. How can we apply the principles of restitution and atonement in our local church community to foster unity and healing? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 6:1-7This passage outlines the process of making restitution for wrongs committed, emphasizing the need for confession and compensation. Matthew 5:23-24Jesus teaches about reconciliation with others before offering gifts at the altar, underscoring the importance of resolving interpersonal conflicts. Hebrews 9:11-14Discusses Christ as the ultimate High Priest who offers Himself as the perfect sacrifice, fulfilling the need for atonement once and for all. People Ephah, Israelites, MosesPlaces SinaiTopics Addition, Along, Apart, Atonement, Atonements, Belongs, Beside, Besides, Close, Guilt, Kinsman, Lord's, Maketh, Offered, Payment, Priest, Priest's, Ram, Recompense, Recompensed, Redeemer, Relation, Relative, Restitution, Restore, Restored, Sheep, Sin, Trespass, Whereby, Wherewith, WrongDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 5:8 4681 ram Numbers 5:5-8 6624 confession, of sin Numbers 5:5-10 6027 sin, remedy for Numbers 5:6-8 6029 sin, forgiveness 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 PietyCiii. 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 Links Numbers 5:8 NIVNumbers 5:8 NLTNumbers 5:8 ESVNumbers 5:8 NASBNumbers 5:8 KJV
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