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Numbers Chapter
Fifteen
New King James Version (NKJV)
INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 15
In
this chapter the children of Israel are instructed about the meat offerings and
drink offerings
and the quantities of them
which were always to go along with
their burnt offerings and peace offerings they should offer when they came into
the land of Canaan
Numbers 15:1; and
they are told that the same laws and ordinances would be binding equally on
them that were of the country
and on the strangers in it
Numbers 15:13; and
an order is given them to offer a cake of the first dough for an heave
offering
Numbers 15:17; and
they are directed what sacrifices to offer for sins of ignorance
both of the
congregation and particular persons
Numbers 14:22; but
as for presumptuous sinners
they were to be cut off
Numbers 14:30; and
an instance is recorded of stoning a sabbath breaker
Numbers 14:32; and
the chapter is concluded with a law for wearing fringes on the borders of their
garments
the use of which is expressed
Numbers 14:35.
Numbers 15:1 And the Lord spoke to Moses
saying
YLT
1And Jehovah speaketh unto
Moses
saying
The Lord spake unto Moses
.... After the murmurings
of the Israelites by reason of the spies
Numbers 14:2; and
their being threatened with a consumption of them in the wilderness on that
account
Numbers 14:12; and
their defeat at Hormah
Numbers 14:45
and
lest their posterity should be discouraged
and despair of ever enjoying the
good land:
saying; as follows.
Numbers 15:2 2 “Speak to
the children of Israel
and say to them: ‘When you have come into the land you
are to inhabit
which I am giving to you
YLT
2`Speak unto the sons of
Israel
and thou hast said unto them
When ye come in unto the land of your
dwellings
which I am giving to you
Speak unto the children of Israel
and say unto them
.... The
younger sort of them
such as were under twenty years of age; for those of that
age and upwards
who had murmured against the Lord
had been assured by him
with an oath that they should die in the wilderness
and not see the land of
Canaan
Numbers 14:29;
whereas those Moses is here bid to speak to were such that should possess it:
when ye come into the land of your habitations
which I give unto
you; the land of Canaan
the grant of which is here renewed to them
and an assurance given of their coming into it and settlement in it; and that
they should have dwelling places there for their several tribes and families.
Numbers 15:3 3 and you make an offering by fire to the Lord
a burnt offering or a sacrifice
to fulfill a vow or as a freewill
offering or in your appointed feasts
to make a sweet aroma to the Lord
from the herd or the flock
YLT
3then ye have prepared a
fire-offering to Jehovah
a burnt-offering
or a sacrifice
at separating a vow
or free-will-offering
or in your appointed things
to make a sweet fragrance
to Jehovah
out of the herd
or out of the flock.
And will make an offering by fire unto the Lord
a burnt offering
.... The first
of these respects such offerings by fire
which were not wholly burnt
but part
of them were eaten by the priests
Deuteronomy 18:1;
and the latter such as were wholly burnt
unless the latter can be thought to
be only an explanation of the former:
or a sacrifice in performing a vow
or in a freewill offering; these were
peace offerings
some of which were for thanksgiving
and others were either a
vow or a freewill offering
as here: see Leviticus 7:11
or in your solemn feasts; as the passover
pentecost
&c. of which
and the offerings in them
see Leviticus 23:4
to make a sweet savour unto the Lord; for
acceptance with him:
of the herd or of the flock; a bullock of the one
a
lamb or kid of the goats of the other; fowls are not mentioned
because burnt
offerings of them required no drink offeringsF6Maimon. Maaseh
Hakorbanot
c. 2. sect. 2. .
Numbers 15:4 4 then he who presents his offering to the Lord shall bring a grain offering of one-tenth of an ephah of
fine flour mixed with one-fourth of a hin of oil;
YLT
4`And he who is bringing
near his offering to Jehovah hath brought near a present of flour
a tenth
deal
mixed with a fourth of the hin of oil;
Then shall he that offereth his offering unto the Lord
.... Be it of
either kind before mentioned:
bring a meat offering of a tenth deal of flour
mingled with the
fourth part of an hin of oil; this was made of the
tenth part of an ephah
or of an omer of fine wheaten flour
which was the
quantity of about three quarts; and which was mixed and macerated with the
fourth part of an hin
or with a quart and more than half a pint of oil: see Exodus 29:40;
rather this should be called a bread offering.
Numbers 15:5 5 and one-fourth of a hin of wine as a drink offering you
shall prepare with the burnt offering or the sacrifice
for each lamb.
YLT
5and wine for a libation
a
fourth of the hin thou dost prepare for the burnt-offering or for a sacrifice
for the one lamb;
And the fourth part of an hin of wine
.... The same
measure with the oil
and this was wine of the grapes
as the Targum of Jonathan;
other sorts of wine might not be used for the purpose mentioned:
for a drink offering shalt thou prepare; with the meat
offering
to go along with every burnt offering and peace offering; which
as
they were the food of God and the provision of his house
it was proper there
should be of every kind fit for an entertainment
as flesh
bread
and wine.
These were to go
with the burnt offering or sacrifice
for one lamb; if there were
more than one
then a greater quantity in proportion was required.
Numbers 15:6 6 Or for a ram you shall prepare as a grain offering
two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with one-third of a hin of
oil;
YLT
6or for a ram thou dost
prepare a present of flour
two-tenth deals
mixed with oil
a third of the hin;
Or for a ram
.... Whether for a burnt offering or a peace
offering; or rather and for a ramF7Vid. Nold. Concord. Ebr. part. p.
4. No. 24. so R. Jonah in Ben Melech in loc.
as many versions:
thou shalt prepare for a meat offering two tenth deals of
flour mingled with the third part of an hin of oil: which was the
quantity of six quarts of fine flour
and about three pints and a quarter of a
pint of oil.
Numbers 15:7 7 and as a drink offering you shall offer one-third of a
hin of wine as a sweet aroma to the Lord.
YLT
7and wine for a libation
a
third part of the hin
thou dost bring near -- a sweet fragrance to Jehovah.
And for a drink offering thou shalt offer a third part of
an hin of wine
.... The same quantity of wine was to be used in the drink
offering as of oil in the meat offering
Numbers 15:4
for a sweet savour unto the
Lord
that it might be acceptable to him.
Numbers 15:8 8 And when you prepare a young bull as a burnt offering
or as a sacrifice to fulfill a vow
or as a peace offering to the Lord
YLT
8`And when thou makest a son
of the herd a burnt-offering or a sacrifice
at separating a vow or
peace-offerings to Jehovah
And when thou preparest a bullock for a burnt offering
.... Which was
a larger offering
and required a larger meat offering and drink offering
as Numbers 15:9 show:
or for a sacrifice in performing a vow or peace offerings
unto the Lord; by which latter are meant freewill offerings; for though both
sorts here mentioned were peace offerings
yet these were more particularly
called so.
Numbers 15:9 9 then shall be offered with the young bull a grain
offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with half a hin
of oil;
YLT
9then he hath brought near
for the son of the herd a present of flour
three-tenth deals
mixed with oil
a half of the hin;
Then shall he bring with a bullock a meat offering
.... Much
larger than either for a lamb or ram
even one consisting
of three tenth deals of flour; or nine quarts of it:
mingled with half an hin of oil; two quarts and a pint
and somewhat more.
Numbers 15:10 10 and you shall bring as the drink offering half a hin
of wine as an offering made by fire
a sweet aroma to the Lord.
YLT
10and wine thou bringest near
for a libation
a half of the hin -- a fire-offering of sweet fragrance to
Jehovah;
And thou shalt bring for a drink offering half an hin of wine
.... The same
quantity as of oil
and a little more:
for an offering made by fire
of a sweet savour unto the Lord: this
according to Jarchi
refers only to
the meat offering and the oil: for the wine was not a fire offering
not being
put upon the fire.
Numbers 15:11 11 ‘Thus it shall be done for each young bull
for each
ram
or for each lamb or young goat.
YLT
11thus it is done for the one
ox
or for the one ram
or for a lamb of the sheep or of the goats.
Thus shall it be done for one bullock
.... Such a
quantity of flour and oil for the meat offering
and such a quantity of wine
for the drink offering as before expressed; making no difference between one
young or old:
or for a ram: which
Jarchi says
was thirteen months and
one day old:
or for a lamb
or a kid; for a young one of the
flock
whether of the sheep or goat
whether a lamb or a kid of the goats;
which
according to Jarchi
were within a year
not a year old.
Numbers 15:12 12 According to the number that you prepare
so you shall
do with everyone according to their number.
YLT
12`According to the number
that ye prepare
so ye do to each
according to their number;
According to the number that ye shall prepare
so shall ye do to
everyone
according to their number. That is
in proportion to
the number of the cattle
be they of which sort they would
should be the
quantity of the meat and drink offerings.
Numbers 15:13 13 All who are native-born shall do these things in this
manner
in presenting an offering made by fire
a sweet aroma to the Lord.
YLT
13every native doth thus with
these
at bringing near a fire-offering of sweet fragrance to Jehovah;
All that are born of the country shall do these things after this
manner
.... Meaning that all Israelites should with their sacrifices
bring their meat and drink offerings of the quantity directed to as above:
in offering an offering made by fire of a sweet savour unto the
Lord; when they offered any burnt offerings or peace offerings: the
Jews say
that all sacrifices
whether of the congregation or of a private
person
require drink offerings
excepting the firstborn
the tithes
the
passover
the sin offering
and the trespass offering; but the sin offering of
the leper
and his trespass offering
require themF8Misn. Menachot
c. 9. 6. : the Targum of Jonathan is
"all that are born in Israel
and not
among the people
shall make these drink offerings thus;'for though an
uncircumcised Gentile might bring burnt offerings and peace offerings
yet not
meat offerings and drink offerings with them; See Gill on Leviticus 22:18;
only such as were proselytes of righteousness
as in Numbers 15:14.
Numbers 15:14 14 And if a stranger dwells with you
or whoever is
among you throughout your generations
and would present an offering made by
fire
a sweet aroma to the Lord
just as
you do
so shall he do.
YLT
14and when a sojourner
sojourneth with you
or whoso [is] in your midst to your generations
and he
hath made a fire-offering of sweet fragrance to Jehovah
as ye do so he doth.
And if a stranger sojourn with you
.... A stranger
or
proselyte
not of the gate
but of righteousness
as Ben Gersom and the Jewish
writers in general interpret it:
or whatsoever be among you in your generations; whether such
a proselyte settled and continued among them
or only stayed with them awhile:
and will offer an offering made by fire of a sweet savour unto the
Lord; is desirous of offering a burnt offering or a peace offering to
the Lord in an acceptable manner:
as ye do
so shall he do; bring the same meat offering
and drink offering
according to the nature and number of the cattle he brings
for sacrifice.
Numbers 15:15 15 One ordinance shall be for you of the assembly
and for the stranger who dwells with you
an ordinance forever
throughout your generations; as you are
so shall the stranger be before the Lord.
YLT
15`One statute is for you of
the congregation and for the sojourner who is sojourning
a statute age-during
to your generations: as ye [are] so is the sojourner before Jehovah;
One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation
.... Or
"O congregation"F9הקהל "O
Congregatio"
Noldius
p. 237. No. 1077.
as Ben Melech
and so the
Targum of Jonathan
"O whole congregation"; though Aben Ezra denies
it to be vocative:
and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you; the same
ordinance
statute
or appointment
respecting the above things
were equally
binding on one side as on the other
an homeborn Israelite and a proselyte of
righteousness:
an ordinance for ever in your generations; to be
observed by them
one and the other
in all ages
until the Messiah came and
abolished the law of commandments contained in ordinances:
as ye are so shall the stranger be before the Lord; not in things
civil
but religious
and particularly with respect to the above sacrifices and
offerings: Ben Gersom and Aben Ezra say this respects the burnt offering only
which was before the Lord.
Numbers 15:16 16 One law and one custom shall be for you and for the
stranger who dwells with you.’”[a]
YLT
16one law and one ordinance
is to you and to the sojourner who is sojourning with you.'
One law
and one manner
.... One law respecting
these sacrifices
and one manner of offering them; one and the same precept to
be observed
and one and the same judgment or punishment inflicted in case of
non-observance:
shall be for you
and the stranger that sojourneth with you; for
Israelites and proselytes; which is said to invite and encourage the latter
and may have a distant view to the calling of the Gentiles in Gospel times
when there should be no difference between Jews and Gentiles called by grace in
matters of religion
but would be one in Christ
Galatians 3:28.
Numbers 15:17 17 Again the Lord spoke to
Moses
saying
YLT
17And Jehovah speaketh unto
Moses
saying
And the Lord spake unto Moses
.... Or continued to
speak to him; for the following law was given at the same time as those before:
saying; as follows.
Numbers 15:18 18 “Speak to the children of Israel
and say to them:
‘When you come into the land to which I bring you
YLT
18`Speak unto the sons of
Israel
and thou hast said unto them
In your coming in unto the land whither I
am bringing you in
Speak unto the children of Israel
and say unto them
.... Who only
were bound to observe the following law concerning the cake of the first dough
Numbers 15:20
and
not Gentiles; so the Jews sayF11Schulchan Aruch
par. 2. c. 330.
sect. 1.
the dough of a Gentile is free from the cake
though an Israelite
kneads it:
when ye come into the land whither I bring you; the land of
Canaan: this is another assurance of their possession of the land of Canaan
notwithstanding what had been threatened; in Numbers 15:2; it is
only said
"which I give unto you"
but here
"whither I bring
you"; assuring them
that as he had given it unto them
he would certainly
introduce them into it. The Jews from hence gather
that they are not bound to
observe this precept concerning the cake by the law
but in the land of Israel
only
and when all Israel are there; wherefore at this time
and even in the
days of Ezra
it is separated only by the words of the Scribes; and the reason
of it is
that this law might not be forgotten by the IsraelitesF12Schulchan
Aruch
par. 2. c. 322. sect. 2
3. : there were three countries that were bound
to bring the cake
according to the MisnahF13Misn. Challah
c. 4.
sect. 8. 10. .
Numbers 15:19 19 then it will be
when you eat of the bread of the land
that you shall offer up a heave offering to the Lord.
YLT
19then it hath been
in your
eating of the bread of the land
ye heave up a heave-offering to Jehovah;
Then it shall be
that when ye eat of the bread of the land
.... Of the
land of Canaan; when they were about to eat of it
before they actually did;
when they were preparing for it
had ground their corn into flour
and had
mixed it with water and kneaded it into dough
in order to bake it and make it
fit for food; by bread is meant bread corn
such as was the old corn of the
land the Israelites first ate of when they entered into it
Joshua 5:11; the
Targum of Jonathan adds
"not of rice
or millet
or pulse
'but what was
made of corn used for bread; and the Jews sayF14Misn. Challah
c. 1.
sect. 1.
there were five things only they were obliged to make the cake of
wheat
barley
"cusmin" or rye
fox ear (barley)
and oats; and this
is to be understood only of dough made for men's bread
and not for dogs or any
other beastF15Schulchan Aruch
ut supra
(par. 2.) c. 330. sect. 8
9. :
ye shall offer up an heave offering unto the Lord; and what that
is
is expressed in Numbers 15:20.
Numbers 15:20 20 You shall offer up a cake of the first of your ground
meal as a heave offering; as a heave offering of the threshing floor
so
shall you offer it up.
YLT
20the beginning of your dough
a cake ye heave up -- a heave-offering; as the heave-offering of a
threshing-floor
so ye do heave it.
Ye shall offer up a cake of the first of your dough for an
heave offering
.... Of the first dough made of the first corn that was threshed
winnowed and ground
they were to make a cake
and offer it an heave offering
unto the Lord; the quantity of it is not expressed
but was left to the
people's generosity; no stinted measure was fixed by the law; but according to
the Scribes
or the traditions of the elders
the quantity of the cake was the
twenty fourth part of the first dough that was kneaded; not the forty fourth
as BuxtorfF16Synagog. Jud. c. 34. p. 602. through mistake says; so
the Targum of Jonathan
"of the first of your dough
one out of twenty four
(i.e. the twenty fourth part of it)
ye shall separate a separation for the
priests
'with which agrees the MisnahF17Challah
c. 2. sect. 7. so
Schulchan Aruch
par. 2. c. 322. so Jarchi & Ben Gersom in loc.
though
according to that
if made to sell publicly it was the forty eighth part of it.
Some
because Numbers 15:21
begins and ends with מ
"mem"
which
numerically signifies "forty"
think this is an instruction to a
bountiful person to give the fortieth partF18Baal Hatturim in loc. :
as ye do the heave offering of the threshing floor
so
shall ye heave it; as the two wave loaves and firstfruits of their harvest
Leviticus 23:16.
Numbers 15:21 21 Of the first of your ground meal you shall give to the
Lord a heave offering throughout your generations.
YLT
21Of the beginning of your
dough ye do give to Jehovah a heave-offering -- to your generations.
Of the first of your dough shall ye give unto the Lord
.... As an
acknowledgment of his being the sovereign Lord and possessor of heaven and
earth
and of his being the owner and proprietor of the land of Canaan; and by
way of thankfulness to him for the plenty of bread corn he had given them; and
wherefore this cake was to he heaved or lifted up towards him in heaven
as
follows:
an heave offering in your generations: for this
respected not only the first time of their entrance into the land of Canaan
but was to be observed every year when they made their first dough
and was to
continue as long as the ceremonial law lasted: this cake was anciently given to
the priest
which is meant by giving it to the Lord
but now the Jews take it
and cast it into the fire and burn itF19Buxtorf. ut supra
(Synagog.
Jud. c. 34. p. 602.) & Leo Modena
History of the present Jews
par. 2. c.
9. the apostle seems to allude to this cake of the first dough in Romans 11:16.
Numbers 15:22 22 ‘If you sin unintentionally
and do not observe all
these commandments which the Lord has spoken
to Moses—
YLT
22`And when ye err
and do
not all these commands which Jehovah hath spoken unto Moses
And if ye have erred
.... Gone astray from the
law of God
and any of its precepts; every sin is an error
a missing of the
mark
a wandering from the way of God's commandments. Jarchi
and the Jews in
general
interpret this of idolatry
but it rather respects any deviation from
the law
moral or ceremonial
especially the latter:
and not observed all these commandments which the Lord hath spoken
unto Moses; in this chapter
more particularly concerning the meat offerings
and drink offerings
and the quantity of them
to be brought along with their
burnt offerings and peace offerings
and concerning the cake of the first dough
to be heaved before the Lord and given to the priest.
Numbers 15:23 23 all that the Lord has
commanded you by the hand of Moses
from the day the Lord gave commandment and onward throughout your generations—
YLT
23the whole that Jehovah hath
charged upon you by the hand of Moses
from the day that Jehovah hath
commanded
and henceforth
to your generations
Even all that the
Lord hath commanded you by the hand of Moses
.... Recorded in this
book and the two preceding
whether of a moral
ceremonial
or judicial kind;
the whole body of laws given to the people of Israel from the Lord by Moses:
from the day that the Lord commanded Moses
and
henceforward among your generations; all that he had
commanded
or should hereafter command.
Numbers 15:24 24 then it will be
if it is unintentionally committed
without the knowledge of the congregation
that the whole congregation shall
offer one young bull as a burnt offering
as a sweet aroma to the Lord
with its grain offering and its drink offering
according to the
ordinance
and one kid of the goats as a sin offering.
YLT
24then it hath been
if from
the eyes of the company it hath been done in ignorance
that all the company
have prepared one bullock
a son of the herd
for a burnt-offering
for sweet
fragrance to Jehovah
and its present
and its libation
according to the
ordinance
and one kid of the goats for a sin-offering.
Then it shall be
if ought be committed by ignorance
.... Of the
law of God
not clearly understanding the meaning of it
or not knowing of the
several precepts of it
and the circumstances of each
and the manner of
performing obedience thereunto:
without the knowledge of the congregation; or they being
ignorant of the true intent of the law and form of obeying it; for this is to
be understood not of the sin of a private person through ignorance
but of the
body of the people; or of a congregation of them in some particular place
ignorantly and unawares falling into idolatry
or rather into a breach of any
of the laws of God
moral or ceremonial:
that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a
burnt offering
for a sweet savour unto the Lord; as an acceptable
sacrifice to him; by which it appears that this law is different from that in Leviticus 4:13;
since the bullock there was for a sin offering
this for a burnt offering; and
besides another creature was to be for a sin offering
as after expressed:
with his meat offering and his drink offering
according to the
manner; a meat offering
consisting of such a quantity of flour and oil
and a drink offering of such a quantity of wine as directed to
Numbers 15:9
and one kid of the goats for a sin offering; which though
mentioned last was offered first
as an expiatory sacrifice for sin
typical of
Christ
who was made an offering for sin
and then the burnt offering by way of
thankfulness for the acceptance of the other.
Numbers 15:25 25 So the priest shall make atonement for the whole
congregation of the children of Israel
and it shall be forgiven them
for it
was unintentional; they shall bring their offering
an offering made by fire to
the Lord
and their sin offering before the Lord
for their
unintended sin.
YLT
25`And the priest hath made
atonement for all the company of the sons of Israel
and it hath been forgiven
them
for it [is] ignorance
and they -- they have brought in their offering
a
fire-offering to Jehovah
even their sin-offering before Jehovah for their
ignorance;
And the priest shall make an atonement for all the congregation of
the children of Israel;.... By offering a sin offering for them
a type of Christ
the
propitiation not only for the sins of the people among the Jews
but throughout
the whole world
1 John 2:2
and it shall be forgiven them; as the sins of the
Lord's people are forgiven them through the blood of Christ
and on account of
his stoning sacrifice and satisfaction made for them:
for it is ignorance; a sin of ignorance
for
which reason Christ pleads for pardon on the foot of his sacrifice
and his
people receive it
Luke 23:34; for
that this sin was forgiven on the score of a sacrifice appears by what follows:
and they shall bring their offering
a sacrifice made by fire unto
the Lord; the bullock for the burnt offering:
and their sin offering before the Lord
for their ignorance; a kid of the
goats.
Numbers 15:26 26 It shall be forgiven the whole congregation of the
children of Israel and the stranger who dwells among them
because all the
people did it unintentionally.
YLT
26and it hath been forgiven
to all the company of the sons of Israel
and to the sojourner who is
sojourning in their midst; for to all the company [it is done] in ignorance.
And it shall be forgiven all the congregation of the children of
Israel
.... Which is repeated for the certainty of it
and for the sake
of what follows:
and the stranger that sojourneth among them; the proselyte
of righteousness; so the blessing of pardon
through the propitiatory sacrifice
of Christ
comes upon believing Gentiles as well as Jews
Romans 4:9
seeing all the people were in ignorance; both the
congregation of Israel and the stranger; See Gill on Numbers 15:25.
Numbers 15:27 27 ‘And if a person sins unintentionally
then he shall
bring a female goat in its first year as a sin offering.
YLT
27`And if one person sin in
ignorance
then he hath brought near a she-goat
daughter of a year
for a
sin-offering;
And if any soul sin through ignorance
.... Any
private or particular person
by breaking any of the above commands
or any
other
not rightly understanding them
or not adverting: to the circumstances
required in the manner of performing them:
then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin
offering; which differed in this from the sin offering of a congregation
that sinned through ignorance; that was a kid of the goats
whether male or
female
but this was to be a female goat and of a year old.
Numbers 15:28 28 So the priest shall make atonement for the person who
sins unintentionally
when he sins unintentionally before the Lord
to make atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him.
YLT
28and the priest hath made
atonement for the person who is erring
in his sinning in ignorance before
Jehovah
by making atonement for him
and it hath been forgiven him;
And the priest shall make atonement for the soul that sinneth
ignorantly
.... By offering his sin offering for him:
when he sinneth by ignorance before the Lord; to whom it is
known to be such
before whom all things are naked
open
and well known:
to make an atonement for him
and it shall be forgiven him; upon that
atonement made by sacrifice; so the forgiveness of the sins of all the Lord's
people proceeds upon an atonement made by the blood and sacrifice of Christ:
full atonement of sin and free forgiveness are not contrary to each other.
Numbers 15:29 29 You shall have one law for him who sins
unintentionally
for him who is native-born among the children of Israel
and for the stranger who dwells among them.
YLT
29for the native among the
sons of Israel
and for the sojourner who is sojourning in their midst -- one
law is to you
for him who is doing [anything] through ignorance.
You shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance
.... Which
enjoins a she goat for a sin offering for such:
both for him that
is born amongst the children of Israel
and for the stranger that sojourneth
among them; both sinning through ignorance
the same sacrifice was offered
for them
by which atonement was made
and through which their sin was
forgiven; by whom are meant homeborn Israelites and proselytes of
righteousness
who were under the same laws
and enjoyed the same privileges
as do now believing Jews and Gentiles.
Numbers 15:30 30 ‘But the person who does anything
presumptuously
whether he is native-born or a stranger
that one brings
reproach on the Lord
and he shall be cut off from among his people.
YLT
30`And the person who doth
[aught] with a high hand -- of the native or of the sojourner -- Jehovah he is
reviling
and that person hath been cut off from the midst of his people;
But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously
.... Or with
"an high hand"F20ביד רמה "in manu excelsa"
Pagninus
Montanus
Vatablus.
or through pride
as the Targum of Jonathan; in an haughty
insolent
bold and daring manner; in an obstinate
stubborn
self-willed way
with purpose and design
openly and publicly
neither fearing God nor regarding
man:
whether he be born in the
land
or a stranger; here a stranger as well signifies a proselyte of the gate as a
proselyte of righteousness; seeing this presumptuous sinning may respect
idolatry and blasphemy
which sins were punishable in proselytes of the gate by
the magistrates of Israel as well as by the immediate hand of God:
the same reproacheth the Lord; by denying him to be the
true Jehovah
by worshipping other gods
and by speaking in a blaspheming
manner of him the true God; and indeed every presumptuous sin
which is
committed in a bold and audacious manner
in contempt of God and defiance of
his law
is a reproaching him the lawgiver
and a trampling upon his
legislative power and authority:
and that soul shall be cut off from among his people
either by the
hand of the civil magistrate
upon conviction of him
or by the immediate hand
of God; no sacrifice was to be offered for such
no atonement to be made or
forgiveness to be had; see Matthew 12:31.
Numbers 15:31 31 Because he has despised the word of the Lord
and has broken His commandment
that person shall be completely
cut off; his guilt shall be upon him.’”
YLT
31because the word of Jehovah
he despised
and His command hath broken -- that person is certainly cut off;
his iniquity [is] on him.'
Because he hath despised the word of the Lord
and hath broken his
commandment
.... That is
has broken it through contempt of it
despising it
as a command of God
paying no regard to it as a law of his; otherwise such who
sin ignorantly break the commandment of God:
that soul shall be utterly cut off; or "in cutting off
shall be cut off"F21הכרת תכרת "excidendo excidetur"
Pagninus
Montanus
Drusius. ; most certainly cut off and entirely ruined and destroyed in this
world and in that to come
as the Targum of Jonathan; and MaimonidesF23In
Misn. Sanhedrin
c. 11. sect. 1. understands it of such a cutting off
that the
soul itself perishes and is no more; but such annihilation the Scripture
nowhere gives us any reason to believe:
his iniquity shall be upon him; the
punishment of it
no atonement being made for it by sacrifice; it shall be upon
him and him only
or be "in him"F24בה
"in ea"
Montanus
Junins & Tremellius
Drusius; "in
ipso"
Piscator.
not repented of and not forgiven.
Numbers 15:32 32 Now while the children of Israel were in the
wilderness
they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day.
YLT
32And the sons of Israel are
in the wilderness
and they find a man gathering wood on the sabbath-day
And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness
.... According
to Aben Ezra
in the wilderness of Sinai; for it is a common notion of the
Jews
that though this fact is recorded here
yet was committed the first year
the Israelites came out of Egypt
quickly after the giving the law of the
sabbath: hence Jarchi remarks
that the Scripture speaks of this to the
reproach of the Israelites
that they kept only the first sabbath
and on the
second this man came and profaned it; but it seems rather to be in the
wilderness of Paran where this fact was committed
after the business of the
spies and the discomfiture of Israel
and the above laws were given; and stands
here in its proper place as an instance of a presumptuous sinner
cut off from
his people
according to the above law
which it immediately follows:
they found a man that gathered sticks on the sabbath day; plucking them
up by the roots
as the Targum of Jonathan
as stubble and the like; for the
word signifies gathering straw or stubble
or such like light things
as Ben
Melech observes
and binding them in bundles for fuel; and this was done on the
sabbath day
by which it appears that that was to be kept in the wilderness
though the laws before mentioned concerning sacrifices
and the cake of the
first dough
were not to be put in execution until Israel came into the land of
Canaan; and according to the Targum of Jonathan this man was of the house of
Joseph
and in the TalmudF25T. Bab. Sabbat
fol. 96. 2. it is
expressly said that he was Zelophehad
who was a descendant of Joseph.
Numbers 15:33 33 And those who found him gathering sticks brought him
to Moses and Aaron
and to all the congregation.
YLT
33and those finding him
gathering wood bring him near unto Moses
and unto Aaron
and unto all the
company
And they that found him gathering sticks
....
Admonished him
as say the Targum of Jonathan and Jarchi
but he would not
desist; wherefore they
brought him unto Moses and Aaron
and unto all the congregation; to Moses and
Aaron
and to the seventy elders
who might be at this time met together
to
hear
try
and judge causes; for it cannot be thought that the whole body of
the people are meant; and it is most likely that it was not on the sabbath day
but the day following
that they brought the man to them
who were then sitting
in the court; though Aben Ezra observes
that some say they brought him to them
the first night.
Numbers 15:34 34 They
put him under guard
because it had not been explained what should be done to
him.
YLT
34and they place him in ward
for it [is] not explained what is [to be] done to him.
And they put him in ward
.... In a certain prison
in the camp; perhaps the same in which the blasphemer was put
Leviticus 24:12;
and for much the same reason:
because it was not declared what should be done to him: that is
what
kind of death he should die
as Jarchi and Aben Ezra; it had been before
declared that the sabbath breaker should die
but not what death he should die
Exodus 31:15;
though some think it was a matter of doubt whether gathering of sticks was a
breach of the sabbath
or at least such a breach of it as required death; and
the answer of the Lord seems to confirm this sense
as follows.
Numbers 15:35 35 Then the Lord said to
Moses
“The man must surely be put to death; all the congregation shall stone
him with stones outside the camp.”
YLT
35And Jehovah saith unto
Moses
`The man is certainly put to death
all the company stoning him with
stones
at the outside of the camp.'
And the Lord said unto Moses
.... Who consulted the
Lord upon this affair
in the tabernacle
even at the most holy place
from
above the mercy seat
where he promised to meet him
and commune with him about
whatsoever he should consult him
Exodus 25:22
the man shall surely be put to death; for as no
fire was to be made throughout their habitations on a sabbath day
gathering
sticks for such a purpose was a work that was a violation of the sabbath
punishable with death
Exodus 35:2; and
the kind of death follows:
all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp; as afterwards
without the city: of the place and manner of stoning; see Gill on Acts 7:58.
Numbers 15:36 36 So
as the Lord commanded Moses
all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him with stones
and he died.
YLT
36And all the company bring
him out unto the outside of the camp
and stone him with stones
and he dieth
as Jehovah hath commanded Moses.
And all the congregation brought him without the camp
.... What was
done by the order of Moses and the seventy elders is said to be done by the
whole congregation
though it was by a few persons only the man was actually
brought out
who were the proper officers to do such business:
and stoned him with stones
and he died: stoned him to
death:
as the Lord commanded Moses: at the time he consulted
him in the sanctuary
which he acquainted the court with
and they immediately
ordered the execution
which was accordingly done.
Numbers 15:37 37 Again the Lord spoke to
Moses
saying
YLT
37And Jehovah speaketh unto
Moses
saying
And the Lord spoke unto Moses
.... After the giving of
the above laws
and the order for stoning the sabbath breaker; and the rather
what follows is connected with them
because it was to put them in mind of
these and all other commands; and of so much importance is the precept directed
to
that the Jews say
and Jarchi particularly
that it is equivalent to all
the commands
and which he makes to be the reason of its being placed here:
saying; as follows.
Numbers 15:38 38 “Speak to the children of Israel: Tell them to make
tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations
and to
put a blue thread in the tassels of the corners.
YLT
38`Speak unto the sons of
Israel
and thou hast said unto them
and they have made for themselves fringes
on the skirts of their garments
to their generations
and they have put on the
fringe of the skirt a ribbon of blue
Speak unto the children of Israel
.... Whom it only
concerned
and all of them
except women and children; for priests
Levites
Israelites
proselytes
and freed servants
were bound to wear the fringes
but
not Gentiles; nor might the Gentiles make them
what were made by them were not
to be usedF26Sepher Alphes
par. 1. fol. 439. 2. & 442. 1.
Schulchan Aruch
par. 1. c. 14. sect. 1.
since it follows:
and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their
garments
throughout their generations: the garments on which
these fringes were put were such that were made either of linen or of woollen;
no other were obliged to them by the law; but according to the Rabbins other
garments were also
yet only square garments
which they call the Talith; and
if that had not four skirts to it
it was free from themF1Schulchan
ib. c. 9. sect. 1. & c. 10. sect. 1. & c. 24. 1. : on this square
garment
and the four corners or skirts of it
were the fringes put; which were
a sort of pendants or tassels
which hung down from it
which consisted of
eight white woollen threads
sometimes four
sometimes eight or twelve fingers
broadF2Buxtorf. Synagog. Jud. c. 9. p. 160. ; there were four of
them
one at each skirt or corner of the garment: they were
as another writer
saysF3Leo Modena
History of the present Jews
par. 1. c. 5. sect.
7.
made of eight threads broad
each of them being knit to the middle with
five knots
and of wool spun on purpose for this use; and these were to be wore
by them throughout their generations until the Messiah came
and they seem to
have been worn by him
Matthew 9:20
however
it is certain they were worn by the Pharisees in his time
Matthew 23:5; at
present this four cornered garment is not any where in common use among the
Jews
instead of which they wear
under their other garments
a kind of square
frock
with the fringes or tassels fastened to it
and this they call Arbah
Canfot; and in their schools
and at certain times of prayer
they put on a
certain square woollen vestment
with the said pendants fastened at each
corner
and this they call TalithF4lb. sect. 9. :
and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a riband of blue; or a blue
lace
a piece of blue tape
which bound and kept the fringe tight and close
and being of a different colour
the fringe being white
made it the more
conspicuous: the reason why this colour was used
the Jews sayF5T.
Bab. Sotah
fol. 17. 1.
was
because it was like the sea
and the like the
sky
and the sky like the throne of glory: this blue
hyacinth
or purple
colour
as the Jews generally take it to be
was of a peculiar dye; the manner
of making which is now unknown to them
and therefore they use only the whiteF6Maimon.
in Misn. Menachot
c. 4. sect. 1. .
Numbers 15:39 39 And you shall have the tassel
that you may look upon
it and remember all the commandments of the Lord and do
them
and that you may not follow the harlotry to which your own heart
and your own eyes are inclined
YLT
39and it hath been to you for
a fringe
and ye have seen it
and have remembered all the commands of Jehovah
and have done them
and ye search not after your heart
and after your eyes
after which ye are going a-whoring;
And it shall be unto you for a fringe
.... The blue
ribbon or lace shall be in or upon the fringe to fasten it:
that ye may look upon it; the blue lace making the
whole the more conspicuous: from hence the Jews gather
that the night is not
the time for wearing fringe
which lessens the sight
and it is not so easily
seen; and that night garments are not obliged to have the fringe on them; and
yet
they say
a blind man is bound to wear it
because
though he cannot see
it
others canF7Maimon. in Misn. Ediot
c. 4. sect. 10. &
Hilchot Tzitzith
c. 3. sect. 7. Schulchan Aruch
p. 1. c. 17. 1. & 18. 1.
:
and remember all the commandments of the Lord
and do them: this is the
general use
end
and design of the fringes
that upon sight of them they might
be put in mind of the commandments and put upon the practice of them; these
being at the four corners of their vestments
let them look which way they
would downwards
before or behind
or on either side
they could not but see
them: and the many threads in them might put them in mind of the many precepts
they were to observe; and the white colour
the purity and holiness of them;
and the blue or sky-coloured lace might lead them to observe the heavenly
original of them; or being of a purple colour rather
might direct them to the
blood of Christ
for the remission of the transgressions of them: the Jews have
many fanciful things about the use and virtue of these fringes
not worthy of
notice; and they say
that such who are careful to observe this law of the
fringe
are worthy to see the face of the divine Majesty
and will be preserved
from evil spiritsF8Baal Hatturim in loc. Schulchan Aruch
p. 1. c.
24. sect. 1
6. :
and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes; to have and
enjoy
and do those things
in matters of worship
which were of their own
devising
and pleasing in their sight
as well as in moral things
what were
agreeable to their carnal hearts
and make for the gratification of their
senses:
after which ye use to go a whoring; which seems to restrain
the sense pretty much to idolatry
to false and superstitious worship
which
are often in Scripture expressed by fornication and whoredom; though other sins
and lusts also are sometimes signified by the same words.
Numbers 15:40 40 and that you may remember and do all My commandments
and be holy for your God.
YLT
40so that ye remember and
have done all My commands
and ye have been holy to your God;
That ye may remember and do all my commandments
.... Which is
repeated
that the end and use of these fringes might be particularly taken
notice of
and attended to; that so they might not satisfy themselves with and
rest in this ceremony of wearing the fringes
but be found in the observance of
every moral precept
and of every religious ordinance and duty:
and be holy unto your God: as in his presence
according to his will
and for his honour and glory
by keeping his holy
commands
and living an holy life and conversation
well pleasing in his sight.
Numbers 15:41 41 I am the Lord your God
who brought you out of the land of Egypt
to be your God: I am the Lord your God.”
YLT
41I [am] Jehovah your God
who hath brought you out from the land of Egypt to become your God; I
Jehovah
[am] your God.'
I am the Lord your God
.... Their Creator
Preserver
and Benefactor
their Lord and Sovereign
their covenant God and
Father:
which brought you out of the land of Egypt
to be your God; to make it
appear that he was their God in a special relation
and that he took the
special care and government of them; and which was manifest by the system of
laws he gave them to observe
as well as by his provision for them on all
accounts
and by his protection of them:
I am the Lord your God; who had a right to enact
laws
and enjoin the observance of them
as he was the Lord Jehovah; and they
were under obligation to regard them
as he was not only their Creator but
their covenant God and Father
who had bestowed his favours liberally on them.
──《John Gill’s
Exposition of the Bible》
New King James
Version (NKJV)