And the LORD said to Moses, "The man must surely be put to death. The whole congregation is to stone him outside the camp." Then the LORD said to MosesThenThis word indicates a continuation of events, suggesting that what follows is a direct response to a preceding situation. In the context of Numbers 15, the Israelites are receiving laws and instructions from God. The use of "then" signifies a divine intervention at a critical moment, emphasizing the immediacy and importance of God's communication. the LORD
The term "LORD" in all capital letters is a translation of the Hebrew name for God, YHWH, often pronounced as Yahweh. This name is considered sacred and denotes God's eternal, self-existent nature. It reflects His covenant relationship with Israel, highlighting His authority and holiness. The use of "the LORD" underscores the divine origin of the command and the seriousness with which it should be regarded. said
The Hebrew word for "said" is "אָמַר" (amar), which implies a declaration or command. This is not a suggestion or a casual remark; it is a direct communication from God to Moses. The use of "said" indicates the clarity and authority of God's instructions, leaving no room for ambiguity or misinterpretation. to Moses
Moses is the chosen leader and prophet of Israel, serving as the intermediary between God and His people. His role is crucial, as he is responsible for conveying God's laws and commands to the Israelites. The mention of Moses highlights his unique position and the trust God places in him to lead His people according to divine will. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORDThe sovereign God of Israel, who gives the command regarding the punishment for breaking the Sabbath. 2. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, who receives God's command and communicates it to the people. 3. The ManAn unnamed individual who violated the Sabbath by gathering wood, thus breaking God's commandment. 4. The CongregationThe assembly of the Israelites who are instructed to carry out the punishment. 5. Outside the CampThe designated place for carrying out the execution, symbolizing the removal of sin from the community. Teaching Points The Sanctity of the SabbathThe Sabbath is a holy day set apart by God, and its observance is a sign of the covenant between God and His people. Violating it was a serious offense, reflecting the importance of obedience to God's commands. The Seriousness of SinThe punishment for gathering wood on the Sabbath may seem severe, but it underscores the seriousness with which God views sin and disobedience. It serves as a reminder of the need for holiness and reverence for God's laws. Community ResponsibilityThe entire congregation was involved in carrying out the punishment, indicating that maintaining holiness was a communal responsibility. This principle can be applied today in how the church addresses sin within its community. God's Justice and MercyWhile the punishment was severe, it reflects God's justice. However, through Christ, we see the fulfillment of the law and the extension of God's mercy, offering forgiveness and grace. The Role of LeadershipMoses' role in communicating and enforcing God's command highlights the importance of godly leadership in guiding and maintaining the spiritual health of a community. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the command in Numbers 15:35 reflect the importance of the Sabbath in the life of the Israelites? 2. In what ways does the communal aspect of the punishment in this passage inform our understanding of church discipline today? 3. How can we reconcile the severity of the punishment in Numbers 15:35 with the concept of a loving and merciful God? 4. What lessons can we learn from this passage about the role of leadership in upholding God's standards within a community? 5. How does the New Testament teaching on grace and forgiveness through Christ influence our understanding of Old Testament laws and punishments? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 31:14-15This passage emphasizes the sanctity of the Sabbath and the severe consequences for its violation, reinforcing the command given in Numbers 15:35. Leviticus 24:14Similar to Numbers 15:35, this passage describes the process of taking a blasphemer outside the camp for execution, highlighting the importance of maintaining holiness within the community. Hebrews 10:28-29This New Testament passage reflects on the severity of punishment under the Law of Moses, drawing a parallel to the greater accountability under the new covenant. People Aaron, Ephah, Israelites, MosesPlaces Egypt, Wilderness of ParanTopics Assembly, Camp, Certainly, Company, Congregation, Death, Outside, Stone, Stoned, Stones, Stoning, Surely, Tent-circleDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 15:35 7429 Sabbath, in OT Numbers 15:32-36 4366 stones Numbers 15:35-36 5213 assembly Library List of Abbreviations Used in Reference to Rabbinic Writings Quoted in this Work.
THE Mishnah is always quoted according to Tractate, Chapter (Pereq) and Paragraph (Mishnah), the Chapter being marked in Roman, the paragraph in ordinary Numerals. Thus Ber. ii. 4 means the Mishnic Tractate Berakhoth, second Chapter, fourth Paragraph. The Jerusalem Talmud is distinguished by the abbreviation Jer. before the name of the Tractate. Thus, Jer. Ber. is the Jer. Gemara, or Talmud, of the Tractate Berakhoth. The edition, from which quotations are made, is that commonly used, Krotoschin, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the MessiahWe are Drawing Near the End, and to the Highest Conclusions of True Human Wisdom...
We are drawing near the end, and to the highest conclusions of true human wisdom; and full of deepest interest it is to mark the character of these conclusions. Reason speaks; that faculty that is rightly termed divine, for its possession marks those who are "the offspring of God." He is the Father of spirits, and it is in the spirit that Reason has her seat; whilst in our Preacher she is enthroned, and now with authority utters forth her counsels. Here we may listen to just how far she can …
F. C. Jennings—Old Groans and New Songs Seventh Day. Holiness and Obedience.
Ye have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: ye shall be unto me an holy nation.'--Ex. xix. 4-6. Israel has reached Horeb. The law is to be given and the covenant made. Here are God's first words to the people; He speaks of redemption and its blessing, fellowship with Himself: 'Ye have seen how I brought …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ The Healing of the Woman - Christ's Personal Appearance - the Raising of Jairus' Daughter
THERE seems remarkable correspondence between the two miracles which Jesus had wrought on leaving Capernaum and those which He did on His return. In one sense they are complementary to each other. The stilling of the storm and the healing of the demonised were manifestations of the absolute power inherent in Christ; the recovery of the woman and the raising of Jairus' daughter, evidence of the absolute efficacy of faith. The unlikeliness of dominion over the storm, and of command over a legion of …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Among the People, and with the Pharisees
It would have been difficult to proceed far either in Galilee or in Judaea without coming into contact with an altogether peculiar and striking individuality, differing from all around, and which would at once arrest attention. This was the Pharisee. Courted or feared, shunned or flattered, reverently looked up to or laughed at, he was equally a power everywhere, both ecclesiastically and politically, as belonging to the most influential, the most zealous, and the most closely-connected religions …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Degrees of Sin
Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous? Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others. He that delivered me unto thee, has the greater sin.' John 19: 11. The Stoic philosophers held that all sins were equal; but this Scripture clearly holds forth that there is a gradual difference in sin; some are greater than others; some are mighty sins,' and crying sins.' Amos 5: 12; Gen 18: 21. Every sin has a voice to speak, but some …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments The Worship of the Synagogue
One of the most difficult questions in Jewish history is that connected with the existence of a synagogue within the Temple. That such a "synagogue" existed, and that its meeting-place was in "the hall of hewn stones," at the south-eastern angle of the court of the priest, cannot be called in question, in face of the clear testimony of contemporary witnesses. Considering that "the hall of hew stones" was also the meeting-place for the great Sanhedrim, and that not only legal decisions, but lectures …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Jesus' Last Public Discourse. Denunciation of Scribes and Pharisees.
(in the Court of the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXIII. 1-39; ^B Mark XII. 38-40; ^C Luke XX. 45-47. ^a 1 Then spake Jesus ^b 38 And in his teaching ^c in the hearing of all the people he said unto ^a the multitudes, and to his disciples [he spoke in the most public manner], 2 saying, ^c 46 Beware of the scribes, ^a The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat: 3 all things whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Jesus Heals on the Sabbath Day and Defends his Act.
(at Feast-Time at Jerusalem, Probably the Passover.) ^D John V. 1-47. ^d 1 After these things there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. [Though every feast in the Jewish calendar has found some one to advocate its claim to be this unnamed feast, yet the vast majority of commentators choose either the feast of Purim, which came in March, or the Passover, which came in April. Older commentators pretty unanimously regarded it as the Passover, while the later school favor the feast …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Third Day in Passion-Week - the Last Controversies and Discourses - the Sadducees and the Resurrection - the Scribe and the Great Commandment - Question
THE last day in the Temple was not to pass without other temptations' than that of the Priests when they questioned His authority, or of the Pharisees when they cunningly sought to entangle Him in His speech. Indeed, Christ had on this occasion taken a different position; He had claimed supreme authority, and thus challenged the leaders of Israel. For this reason, and because at the last we expect assaults from all His enemies, we are prepared for the controversies of that day. We remember that, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 15:35 NIVNumbers 15:35 NLTNumbers 15:35 ESVNumbers 15:35 NASBNumbers 15:35 KJV
Numbers 15:35 Commentaries
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