Bible Commentaries
Numbers 15

Introduction

Overview

Numbers 15:1, The law of the meat offering, and the drink offering; Numbers 15:14, The stranger is under the same law; Numbers 15:17, The law of the first of the dough for an heave offering; Numbers 15:22, The sacrifice for sins of ignorance; Numbers 15:30, The punishment of presumption; Numbers 15:32, He that violated the sabbath is stoned; Numbers 15:37, The law of fringes.

Verse 1

It is very probable, that the transactions recorded in this and the four following chapters took place during the time the Israelites abode in Kadesh - Deuteronomy 1:46.

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 46:11 - in the feasts

Verse 2

Numbers 15:18, Leviticus 14:34, Leviticus 23:10, Leviticus 25:2, Deuteronomy 7:1, Deuteronomy 7:2, Deuteronomy 12:1, Deuteronomy 12:9

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 26:1 - General

Verse 3

will make: Exodus 29:18, Exodus 29:25, Exodus 29:41, Leviticus 1:2, Leviticus 1:3, Leviticus 1:9, Leviticus 1:13, Leviticus 1:17, Leviticus 10:13

a burnt: Leviticus 1:1-17

a sacrifice: Leviticus 7:16, Leviticus 22:18-23, Deuteronomy 12:11

performing: Heb. separating, Leviticus 27:2

or in a freewill: Leviticus 22:21, Leviticus 22:23, Deuteronomy 12:6, Deuteronomy 12:17, Deuteronomy 16:10

in your: Numbers 28:16-19, Numbers 28:27, Numbers 29:1, Numbers 29:2, Numbers 29:8, Numbers 29:13-40, Leviticus 23:8, Leviticus 23:12, Leviticus 23:36, Deuteronomy 16:1-17

a sweet: Genesis 8:21, Exodus 29:18, Matthew 3:17, Ephesians 5:2, Philippians 4:18

the herd: Under the term bakar, are comprehended the ox, heifer, etc; and under tzon, are included sheep and goats. The animals enjoined in the Levitical law are the very same which commanded Abraham to offer - Genesis 15:9. Hence it is evident, that God delivered to the patriarchs an epitome of that law which was afterwards given in detail to Moses, the essence of which consisted in its sacrifices; and these sacrifices were of clean animals, the most perfect, useful, and healthy of all that are brought under the immediate government of man. Gross feeding and ferocious animals were all excluded, as well as all birds of prey.

Reciprocal: Leviticus 9:4 - and a meat Leviticus 23:13 - the meat Numbers 28:11 - in the beginnings Numbers 29:9 - General Psalms 81:3 - solemn

Verse 4

a meat: Exodus 29:40, Leviticus 2:1, Leviticus 6:14, Leviticus 7:9, Leviticus 7:10, Leviticus 23:13, Isaiah 66:20, Malachi 1:11, Romans 15:16, Hebrews 13:16

the fourth: Numbers 28:5-8, Exodus 29:40, Leviticus 2:15, Leviticus 14:10, Leviticus 23:13, Judges 9:9, Ezekiel 46:14

Reciprocal: Leviticus 5:11 - fine flour Leviticus 23:18 - with their Numbers 8:9 - shalt gather the whole Numbers 15:6 - General Numbers 28:12 - General Numbers 29:18 - after the manner Ezra 6:9 - wheat Ezra 7:17 - their meat offerings

Verse 5

Numbers 28:7, Numbers 28:14, Judges 9:13, Psalms 116:13, Song of Solomon 1:4, Zechariah 9:17, Matthew 26:28, Matthew 26:29, Philippians 2:17, 2 Timothy 4:6

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:40 - a drink Exodus 30:24 - hin Numbers 3:17 - Gershon Numbers 6:15 - drink Numbers 15:10 - General Numbers 28:5 - General 1 Samuel 10:3 - three kids 1 Chronicles 29:21 - drink offerings 2 Chronicles 29:35 - the drink

Verse 6

Numbers 15:4, Numbers 28:12-14

Reciprocal: Leviticus 6:14 - the meat offering

Verse 7

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:40 - a drink Numbers 6:15 - drink Numbers 28:2 - for a sweet savour unto me Numbers 28:7 - to be poured Judges 9:13 - cheereth 1 Chronicles 29:21 - drink offerings

Verse 8

peace: Leviticus 3:1, Leviticus 7:11-18

Reciprocal: Leviticus 22:21 - to accomplish Numbers 8:8 - his meat Numbers 15:24 - with his

Verse 9

with a: Numbers 28:12, Numbers 28:14

a meat: Numbers 29:6, Leviticus 6:14, Leviticus 7:37, Leviticus 14:10, 1 Chronicles 21:23, Nehemiah 10:33, Ezekiel 42:13, Ezekiel 46:5, Ezekiel 46:7, Ezekiel 46:11, Ezekiel 46:15, Joel 1:9, Joel 2:14

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:40 - a tenth Numbers 8:8 - his meat 1 Samuel 1:24 - she took

Verse 10

Numbers 15:5, Numbers 6:15

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:40 - a drink Numbers 28:7 - to be poured Judges 9:13 - cheereth 1 Samuel 1:24 - she took 1 Chronicles 29:21 - drink offerings

Verse 11

Numbers 15:28

Reciprocal: Exodus 12:3 - lamb Numbers 29:6 - according

Verse 12

Reciprocal: Numbers 29:6 - according

Verse 14

Reciprocal: Leviticus 22:18 - of the strangers Leviticus 22:25 - a stranger's

Verse 15

One: Numbers 15:29, Numbers 9:14, Exodus 12:49, Leviticus 24:22, Galatians 3:28, Ephesians 2:11-22, Colossians 3:11

an ordinance: Numbers 10:8, Numbers 18:8, Exodus 12:14, Exodus 12:24, Exodus 12:43, 1 Samuel 30:25

Reciprocal: Exodus 12:48 - a stranger Numbers 19:10 - it shall be Ezekiel 14:7 - of the stranger

Verse 16

Reciprocal: Exodus 12:48 - a stranger Exodus 12:49 - General Leviticus 4:27 - common people Leviticus 24:22 - General Numbers 19:10 - it shall be Numbers 35:15 - General Joshua 8:33 - stranger

Verse 17

Reciprocal: Leviticus 23:17 - the firstfruits Romans 11:16 - if the firstfruit

Verse 18

Numbers 15:2, Deuteronomy 26:1-15

Reciprocal: Leviticus 23:10 - and shall

Verse 19

The oblation before prescribed seems to have been a general acknowledgment from the people at large; but this was an oblation from every one that reaped a harvest: who was required, previously to tasting it himself, to offer a portion of dough as a heave-offering to the Lord. This is supposed to have been given to the priests in their several cities, and not carried to the tabernacle. Joshua 5:11, Joshua 5:12

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:28 - is an heave Leviticus 7:14 - an heave Leviticus 23:17 - the firstfruits Numbers 18:12 - the firstfruits Numbers 18:19 - the heave Nehemiah 10:37 - the firstfruits Ezekiel 44:30 - all the firstfruits

Verse 20

a cake: Numbers 18:12, Exodus 23:19, Deuteronomy 26:2-10, Nehemiah 10:37, Proverbs 3:9, Proverbs 3:10, Ezekiel 44:30, Matthew 6:33, Romans 11:16, 1 Corinthians 15:20, James 1:18, Revelation 14:4

the heave offering: Leviticus 2:14, Leviticus 23:20, Leviticus 23:16, Leviticus 23:17

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:28 - is an heave Leviticus 2:12 - the oblation Numbers 18:27 - the corn

Verse 21

Numbers 18:26, Exodus 29:28

Verse 22

This law concerning sins of ignorance, being entirely diverse from one before considered, occasions considerable difficulty - Lev. 4. Some explain that law as relating to sins of commission, this to sins of omission: others explain the one of inadvertent violations of the moral law, and the other of the transgressions of the ceremonial law, and some think that related to the whole nation, this to any one tribe; or that to the bulk of the nation, this to the rulers and elders. The Jews say, that the former law referred to such national transgressions through heedlessness, as consisted with the maintenance of the prescribed worship in the main; but that this especially respected the case of the nation, when through inattention, and the example and authority of wicked rulers, they had turned aside and committed idolatry, or conducted their worship directly contrary to law; yet through a culpable ignorance, and not in presumption. This was evidently the case under several of their kings; and the explanation seems well grounded. Leviticus 4:2, Leviticus 4:13, Leviticus 4:14, Leviticus 4:22, Leviticus 4:27, Leviticus 5:13, Leviticus 5:15-17, Psalms 19:12, Luke 12:48

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 29:21 - a sin offering Hebrews 5:2 - ignorant

Verse 24

if ought: Leviticus 4:13

without: Heb. from the eyes

one young bullock: Leviticus 4:14-21

with his: Numbers 15:8-10

manner: or, ordinance

one kid: Numbers 28:15, Leviticus 4:23, 2 Chronicles 29:21-24, Ezra 6:17, Ezra 8:35

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:40 - a drink Leviticus 23:19 - one kid Numbers 28:2 - for a sweet savour unto me Numbers 28:30 - General Numbers 29:6 - according Acts 3:17 - through

Verse 25

the priest: Leviticus 4:20, Leviticus 4:26, Romans 3:25, 1 John 2:2

forgiven them: Luke 23:34, Acts 13:39

Reciprocal: Leviticus 1:4 - atonement Leviticus 4:19 - General Leviticus 4:35 - and the priest shall make Leviticus 15:15 - an atonement Numbers 30:12 - and the Lord 1 Chronicles 6:49 - make an atonement Isaiah 22:14 - Surely

Verse 27

Leviticus 4:27, Leviticus 4:28, Acts 3:17, Acts 17:30, 1 Timothy 1:13

Reciprocal: Psalms 51:16 - desirest

Verse 28

Leviticus 4:35

Reciprocal: Leviticus 1:4 - atonement Leviticus 4:26 - an atonement Numbers 15:11 - General Numbers 30:12 - and the Lord Joshua 3:10 - Hereby ye Hebrews 10:26 - if

Verse 29

one law: Numbers 15:15, Numbers 9:14, Leviticus 16:29, Leviticus 17:15, Romans 3:29, Romans 3:30

sinneth: Heb. doeth

Reciprocal: Exodus 12:49 - General Leviticus 4:27 - common people Leviticus 24:22 - General Joshua 8:33 - stranger Ezekiel 14:7 - of the stranger

Verse 30

doeth ought: Numbers 9:13, Numbers 14:44, Genesis 17:14, Exodus 21:14, Leviticus 20:3, Leviticus 20:6, Leviticus 20:10, Deuteronomy 1:43, Deuteronomy 17:12, Deuteronomy 29:19, Deuteronomy 29:20, Psalms 19:13, Matthew 12:32, Hebrews 10:26, Hebrews 10:29, 2 Peter 2:10

presumptuously: Heb. with an high hand, That is, bold, daring, deliberate acts of transgression against the fullest evidence, and in despite of the Divine authority. Such conduct "reproacheth the Lord," as if his commands were needless, unreasonable, and inimical to the happiness of man; his favour were not desirable, or his wrath not to be feared: in short, as if it were more advantageous to rebel against him than to serve him. Such acts admitted of no atonement: the person was condemned to bear his own iniquity, and to be cut off.

reproacheth: Psalms 69:9, Psalms 74:18, Psalms 74:22, Psalms 79:12, Psalms 89:51, Proverbs 14:31, Isaiah 37:23, Isaiah 37:24

Reciprocal: Leviticus 17:4 - be cut off Numbers 19:13 - purifieth Numbers 19:20 - shall not Numbers 25:6 - in the sight of Moses Deuteronomy 17:13 - presumptuously 1 Samuel 2:25 - if a man 1 Samuel 3:14 - the iniquity 2 Samuel 12:9 - despised Psalms 51:16 - desirest Ecclesiastes 11:9 - walk Malachi 2:12 - cut Luke 12:47 - knew 1 Timothy 1:13 - because Hebrews 2:2 - every Hebrews 10:28 - despised 1 John 5:16 - There

Verse 31

despised: Leviticus 26:15, Leviticus 26:43, 2 Samuel 12:9, Psalms 119:126, Proverbs 13:13, Isaiah 30:12, 1 Thessalonians 4:8, Hebrews 10:28, Hebrews 10:29

his iniquity: Leviticus 5:1, Psalms 38:4, Isaiah 53:6, Ezekiel 18:20, 1 Peter 2:24, 2 Peter 2:21

Reciprocal: Genesis 17:14 - cut Exodus 21:14 - presumptuously Leviticus 17:4 - be cut off Numbers 9:13 - forbeareth Numbers 25:6 - in the sight of Moses Deuteronomy 17:13 - presumptuously 1 Samuel 3:14 - the iniquity Psalms 19:13 - presumptuous Psalms 51:16 - desirest Ezekiel 20:13 - and my Malachi 2:12 - cut Luke 12:47 - knew 1 John 3:4 - transgresseth

Verse 32

they found a man: This example seems to have been evidently introduced to illustrate the foregoing law. The man despised the word of the Lord, presumptuously broke his commandment, and on this ground was punished with death. Exodus 16:23, Exodus 16:27, Exodus 16:28, Exodus 20:8-10, Exodus 35:2, Exodus 35:3

Reciprocal: Exodus 20:10 - thou shalt Exodus 31:15 - whosoever Nehemiah 13:15 - burdens Jeremiah 17:21 - bear Matthew 12:2 - Behold Mark 2:24 - that Luke 6:2 - not

Verse 33

John 8:3-20

Reciprocal: Exodus 18:22 - great Leviticus 24:11 - brought him Numbers 9:6 - they came Numbers 27:2 - General

Verse 34

Leviticus 24:12

Reciprocal: Exodus 18:15 - to inquire Numbers 27:2 - General Numbers 27:5 - General Acts 12:10 - the first

Verse 35

The man: Exodus 31:14, Exodus 31:15

stone him: Leviticus 24:14, Leviticus 24:23, 1 Kings 21:13, Acts 7:58, Hebrews 13:11, Hebrews 13:12

Reciprocal: Exodus 18:16 - make Leviticus 4:12 - without the camp Leviticus 20:2 - the people Deuteronomy 13:10 - stone him Deuteronomy 22:21 - stone her Matthew 27:31 - and led Matthew 27:32 - as John 19:17 - went

Verse 36

Joshua 7:25

Reciprocal: Leviticus 20:2 - the people Leviticus 24:14 - let all the Leviticus 24:23 - General Numbers 19:3 - without the camp Deuteronomy 13:10 - stone him Deuteronomy 22:21 - stone her 1 Kings 21:13 - they carried him Matthew 27:32 - as John 19:17 - went Hebrews 10:28 - despised Hebrews 13:12 - suffered

Verse 38

fringes in the borders: The word tzitzith properly denotes an ornament resembling a flower. From Numbers 15:39, we learn that these were emblematical of the commands of God. That there is any analogy between a fringe and a precept, it would be bold to assert; but when a thing is appointed to represent another, no matter how different, that first object becomes the legitimate representative or sign of the other. Deuteronomy 22:12, Matthew 9:20, Matthew 23:5, Luke 8:44

Reciprocal: Exodus 28:28 - a lace Exodus 28:37 - blue Deuteronomy 6:8 - General Matthew 14:36 - hem Mark 6:56 - the border

Verse 39

remember: Exodus 13:9, Deuteronomy 6:6-9, Deuteronomy 11:18-21, Deuteronomy 11:28-32, Proverbs 3:1

ye seek not: Deuteronomy 29:19, Job 31:7, Proverbs 28:26, Ecclesiastes 11:9, Jeremiah 9:14, Ezekiel 6:9

go a whoring: Exodus 34:15, Exodus 34:16, Psalms 73:27, Psalms 106:39, Hosea 2:2, James 4:4

Reciprocal: Leviticus 20:6 - go Numbers 15:38 - fringes in the borders Deuteronomy 6:8 - General Deuteronomy 12:8 - every man Deuteronomy 22:12 - fringes 1 Kings 12:33 - in the month Psalms 119:37 - Turn Isaiah 65:2 - after Jeremiah 3:17 - walk Ezekiel 20:16 - for their Hosea 4:12 - gone Hosea 9:10 - and their Matthew 9:20 - hem Matthew 14:36 - hem Matthew 23:5 - the borders Mark 6:56 - the border

Verse 40

be holy: Leviticus 11:44, Leviticus 11:45, Leviticus 19:2, Romans 12:1, Ephesians 1:4, Colossians 1:2, 1 Thessalonians 4:7, 1 Peter 1:15, 1 Peter 1:16

Reciprocal: Exodus 34:32 - he gave Leviticus 22:31 - General

Verse 41

Leviticus 22:33, Leviticus 25:38, Psalms 105:45, Jeremiah 31:31-33, Jeremiah 32:37-41, Ezekiel 36:25-27, Hebrews 11:16, 1 Peter 2:9, 1 Peter 2:10

Reciprocal: Hosea 12:9 - I that