In biblical terms, the concept of "fifths" primarily appears in the context of laws and regulations given to the Israelites, particularly in the books of Leviticus and Numbers. The term is often associated with restitution and offerings, reflecting the broader biblical principles of justice, fairness, and devotion to God.

Levitical Law and Restitution

The book of Leviticus outlines various laws concerning offerings and restitution. One notable instance where "fifths" is mentioned is in the context of making restitution for wrongs committed. Leviticus 6:4-5 states: "If he has sinned and is guilty, he must return what he has stolen or taken by extortion, or the deposit entrusted to him, or the lost property he found, or whatever it was that he swore falsely about. He must make restitution in full, add a fifth of the value to it, and give it all to the owner on the day he presents his guilt offering."

This passage highlights the requirement for an offender not only to return what was wrongfully taken but also to add a fifth of its value as a form of compensation. This additional fifth serves as a tangible expression of repentance and acknowledgment of wrongdoing, ensuring that the victim is compensated beyond the original loss.

Consecration and Offerings

The concept of adding a fifth also appears in the context of consecration and offerings. Leviticus 27 discusses the valuation of persons, animals, and property dedicated to the Lord. If someone wishes to redeem something they have dedicated, they must add a fifth to its value. Leviticus 27:13 states: "But if the owner wishes to redeem the animal, he must add a fifth to its value."

This requirement underscores the seriousness of vows and dedications made to God. By adding a fifth, the individual demonstrates the sincerity of their commitment and the value they place on fulfilling their vow.

Tithes and Redemption

In Leviticus 27:31 , the principle of adding a fifth is also applied to the redemption of tithes: "If a man wishes to redeem part of his tithe, he must add a fifth to its value." This regulation ensures that the sanctity of the tithe is maintained, even when redemption is necessary. The additional fifth serves as a safeguard against treating holy contributions lightly.

Theological Implications

The inclusion of a fifth in these various laws reflects a broader theological principle found throughout Scripture: the call to holiness and integrity in one's dealings. The additional fifth serves as a reminder of the cost of sin and the importance of making amends. It also emphasizes the value of offerings and dedications to God, encouraging believers to approach their commitments with reverence and sincerity.

In summary, the concept of "fifths" in the Bible is intricately linked to the themes of restitution, consecration, and the sacredness of offerings. It serves as a practical expression of the biblical call to justice, repentance, and devotion to God.702. arba -- four
... 3), 54,400* (3), 57,400* (2), 64,300* (1), 64,400* (2), 74* (2), 74,600* (2), any
of their four (1), four (167), four things (1), four-fifths* (1), four-footed ...
/hebrew/702.htm - 6k

3027. yad -- hand
... 2), encourage* (1), encouraged* (3), enough (1), entrust* (1), entrusted (1), entrusted*
(1), exhausted* (2), fist (1), force (1), four-fifths* (1), guarantor ...
/hebrew/3027.htm - 8k

What did Moses Write?
... these five books as one connected work; they called the whole sometimes "Torah,"
or "The Law," sometimes "The Law of Moses," sometimes "The Five-fifths of the ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter ii what did moses.htm

The Thirty Years' War. AD 1618-1650.
... recently the official records still left of the state of the country before and
after the war, that over a considerable extent of it, four-fifths of the ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/chapter viii the thirty years.htm

India as Carey Found It
... beheld Athens, and 'his spirit was stirred within him.' I see one of the finest
countries in the world, full of industrious inhabitants; yet three-fifths of it ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter iii india as carey.htm

Introductory Notice by Professor MB Riddle, DD
... The lacun?? previously existing in the genuine Epistle were not extensive; but, as
now appears, the Alexandrian manuscript contains only three-fifths of the ...
/.../unknown/the second epistle of clement/introductory notice by professor m.htm

The Discovery of the Codex, and Its Contents.
... III. is very valuable; the text of both Epistles is now complete. Two-fifths
of that of the second was previously unknown. [2359 ...
/.../various/the teaching of the twelve apostles/section 1 the discovery of the.htm

The Women of the Apostolic Age
... The mere undeveloped manhood in an otherwise worthless individual gave him, in Jewish
estimation, a two-fifths superiority over the noblest woman. ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/ii the women of the.htm

It May Admit of Discussion, Whether Semi-Pelagianism is not Real ...
... the pretext of Pelagianism, to condemn all those things of which we do not approve,
if we may invent half, quarter, three-fourths, four-fifths Pelagianism, and ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/article xxx x it may.htm

Flight into Egypt and Slaughter of the Bethlehem Children.
... In Alexandria, a city of 300,000, from one-fifth to two-fifths of the population
were Jews, two of the five wards being given over to them; and the Talmud ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xiv flight into egypt and.htm

Lii. Concerning Hypocrisy, Worldly Anxiety, Watchfulness, and his ...
... and not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God? [The Roman as here
rendered penny, was worth about four-fifths of a cent. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lii concerning hypocrisy worldly anxiety.htm

Theory of the Size of the Heavenly Bodies in Accordance with ...
... These (numerical) relations, therefore, the greater than ninefold, and less than
half, and greater than double, and less than two-fifths, and greater than half ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/chapter xi theory of the size.htm

Fifths (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Fifths (1 Occurrence). Genesis 47:24 And it shall
come to pass at the ingatherings, that ye shall give ...
/f/fifths.htm - 6k

Four-fifths (1 Occurrence)
Four-fifths. Four-drachma, Four-fifths. Fourfold . Multi-Version
Concordance Four-fifths (1 Occurrence). Genesis 47:24 ...
/f/four-fifths.htm - 6k

Fourfold (2 Occurrences)

/f/fourfold.htm - 8k

Fifties (13 Occurrences)

/f/fifties.htm - 10k

Ocean (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The whole body of salt water which covers more than three fifths of the
surface of the globe; -- called also the sea, or great sea. ...
/o/ocean.htm - 7k

Luke (4 Occurrences)
... That is, thirteen-fourteenths of Mark, four-sevenths of Matthew, and two-fifths
of Luke are taken up in describing the same things in very similar language. ...
/l/luke.htm - 55k

Gospels
... 6. Looking only at the general result, it may be said that of the contents of the
synoptic Gospels [ie, the first three Gospels] about two-fifths are common to ...
/g/gospels.htm - 73k

Four-drachma (1 Occurrence)
Four-drachma. Four-and-twentieth, Four-drachma. Four-fifths . Multi-Version
Concordance ... Four-and-twentieth, Four-drachma. Four-fifths . Reference Bible
/f/four-drachma.htm - 6k

Consecutive (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Having similarity of sequence; -- said of certain parallel progressions
of two parts in a piece of harmony; as, consecutive fifths, or consecutive ...
/c/consecutive.htm - 7k

Shewbread (16 Occurrences)
... All that the Mosaic legislation required was that, once in every week, there should
be twelve cakes of unleavened bread, each containing about four-fifths of a ...
/s/shewbread.htm - 20k

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