Numbers 5:1

Introduction

The Israelites are commanded to purify the camp by excluding all lepers, and all diseased and unclean persons, Num 5:1-3. They do so, Num 5:4. Law concerning him who has defrauded another - he shall confess his sin, restore the principal and add besides one fifth of its value, Num 5:5-7. If he have no kinsman to whom the recompense can be made, it shall be given unto the Lord, Num 5:8. All the holy things offered to the Lord shall be the priest's portion, Num 5:9, Num 5:10. The law concerning jealousy, Num 5:11-14. The suspected woman's offering, Num 5:15. She is to be brought before the Lord, Num 5:16. The priest shall take holy water, and put it in dust from the floor of the tabernacle, Num 5:17. Shall put the offering in her hand, and adjure her, Num 5:18-20. The form of the oath, Num 5:21, Num 5:22; which is to be written on a book, blotted out in the bitter waters, and these the suspected person shall be obliged to drink, Num 5:23, Num 5:24. The jealousy-offering shall be waved before the Lord, Num 5:25, Num 5:26. The effect which shall be produced if the suspected person be guilty, Num 5:27. The effect if not guilty, Num 5:28. Recapitulation, with the purpose and design of the law, Num 5:29, Num 5:30.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

The camp was to be cleansed. The purity of the church must be kept as carefully as the peace and order of it. Every polluted Israelite must be separated. The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable. The greater profession of religion any house or family makes, the more they are obliged to put away iniquity far from them. If a man overreach or defraud his brother in any matter, it is a trespass against the Lord, who strictly charges and commands us to do justly. What is to be done when a man's awakened conscience charges him with guilt of this kind, though done long ago? He must confess his sin, confess it to God, confess it to his neighbour, and take shame to himself; though it go against him to own himself in a lie, yet he must do it. Satisfaction must be made for the offence done to God, as well as for the loss sustained by the neighbour; restitution in that case is not enough without faith and repentance. While that which is wrongly gotten is knowingly kept, the guilt remains on the conscience, and is not done away by sacrifice or offering, prayers or tears; for it is the same act of sin persisted in. This is the doctrine of right reason, and of the word of God. It detects hypocrites, and directs the tender conscience to proper conduct, which, springing from faith in Christ, will make way for inward peace.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain