5:1-10

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Laws for uncleanness and repayment

(Nu 5:1-10)

The laws grouped together in Chapter 5 deal with problems likely to arise where people lived close to each other in a community such as Israel’s.

People who were ceremonially unclean, whether through disease or any other cause, were put outside the camp. The religious significance of this was that it demonstrated that defilement could not be tolerated in a community where the holy God dwelt.

The practical benefit was that it helped prevent the spread of infectious disease (Nu 5:1-4; see notes on Lev 13:1-15:33).

When people through carelessness caused harm or loss to others, they had to confess their wrong, present a sin offering and pay back the loss, together with a fine amounting to one fifth of its value.

If the wronged person or a near relative could not be found, the offender had to make the repayment and the fine to the priests instead (Nu 5:5-10; see notes on Lev 5:14-6:7).