Say to the people of Israel introduces a quote within a quote that continues until the end of verse 10. God tells Moses what to say to the Israelites.
When a man or woman commits any of the sins that men commit …: Good News Translation renders a man or a woman as “any of you,” which does not express that the circumstances in view here apply equally to women as well as men. (This distinction must be made since a number of other instructions in the book of Numbers apply specifically to men or specifically to women.) For commits any of the sins that men commit, Good News Translation has “commits a wrong against someone,” which reflects the Hebrew more accurately. Compare New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh with “commits any wrong toward a fellow man.” But what sort of sins are being referred to here (which may make a difference in some languages)? Lev 6.1-7 (5.20-26 in Hebrew) seems to indicate that sins of theft, deceit, cheating, fraud, and false testimony are involved.
By breaking faith with the LORD: New International Version renders this clause well by saying “and so is unfaithful to the LORD.” The Hebrew expression here is an emphatic one since it renders a verb and noun from the same root (maʿal) along with the preposition meaning “with/against” (b ). It refers to deep disloyalty (see Deut 32.51). The interpersonal sins in view here pollute the holiness of the camp in which the LORD dwells.
And that person is guilty: This rendering may wrongly suggest that the people who commit these sins are perhaps not always guilty. So a better translation is “then that person is guilty” (similarly New Revised Standard Version, New International Version). The guilt is the result of the sin. Unfortunately, Good News Translation omits this clause. Guilt implies the need for restitution, compensation, repayment. The Hebrew verb rendered is guilty (ʾasham) comes the same root as the noun translated restitution in the next verse. This verb is an important term in the description of Israel’s cultic system. It refers to a situation that has resulted from some illegal action. It is incompatible with God’s holiness, and therefore the condition of “being guilty” can only be removed through confession, ritual purification, and restitution.
He shall confess his sin which he has committed is literally “and they will confess their sin which they have committed.” The Hebrew has plural verbs here, which still refer to the man and woman mentioned at the beginning of the whole sentence. A public, oral confession is implied. Translations of he shall confess that express this are “he/she/they must reveal” (Chewa) and “he/she must speak out” (Tonga).
And he shall make full restitution for his wrong, adding a fifth to it: These two clauses may present a translation challenge in some languages, especially those that do not have a modern or concise numbering system. For example, a fifth may have to be translated “20 percent” (Good News Translation), “one part in five” (Chewa), or “one piece taken from every five pieces.” Although it is not mentioned specifically, this penalty is probably to be paid in money.
And giving it to him to whom he did the wrong: The person who is guilty must give the money to the person he has wronged. The Hebrew verb rendered did the wrong is the same one translated is guilty.
A model for verses 6-7 is:
• 6 “Speak to the Israelites: When a man or a woman commits a wrong against someone and so is unfaithful to the LORD, that person is guilty 7 and must confess the sin that he has committed. That person shall make full restitution for the wrong, add one fifth to it, and give it to the person he has wronged.
Quoted with permission from de Regt, Lénart J. and Wendland, Ernst R. A Handbook on Numbers. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .