Números 15
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Números 15
NJB (MT versing) Laws for Canaan Laws of Grain and Drink Offerings Cultic Regulations Laws About Sacrifice Cereal Offerings to Accompany Sacrifices 15:1-10 15:1-10 15:1-10 15:1-10 15:1-12 15:11-13 15:11-16 15:11-16 15:11-16 15:13-16 Laws of the Sojourner 15:14-16 The First-fruits of Bread 15:17-21 15:17-21 15:17-21 15:17-21 15:17-21 Laws Concerning Unintentional Sins Expiation for Faults of Inadvertence 15:22-26 15:22-26 15:22-26 15:22-26 15:22-24a 15:24b-26 15:27-31 15:27-29 15:27-31 15:27-29 15:27-29 Laws Concerning Presumptuous Sins 15:30-31 15:30-31 15:30-31 Sabbath-breaking Punished Penalty for Violating the Sabbath The Man Who Broke the Sabbath Sabbath-breaking 15:32-36 15:32-34 15:32-36 15:32-36 15:32-36 15:35-36 Tassels Tassels on Garments Rules About Tassels Tassels On Clothes 15:37-41 15:37-41 15:37-41 15:37-41 15:37-39 15:40-41 Etc.
Números 15:1-10
15:2 "Speak" This Piel IMPERATIVE is repeated in vv. 18 and 37. These laws were not from the mind of Moses but revelations from YHWH, the Holy One of Israel. If Israel is to be holy (Lev. 19:2; Matt. 5:38) they must obey His word (cf. Num. 15:40). ▣ "When you enter the land" This must have been very encouraging to the children of the generation that died in the wilderness (cf. Num. 15:18). ▣ "which I am giving you" This reflects the promises of Genesis 12; 15; 22. See SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT PROMISES TO THE PATRIARCHS. 15:3 There follows a series of initial and recurring sacrifices to mark the theological significance of Israel's entrance into Canaan. ▣ "burnt offering" See notes at Leviticus 1. ▣ "freewill offering" See notes at Leviticus 3. ▣ "a soothing aroma" See SPECIAL TOPIC: A SOOTHING AROMA. 15:4 "grain offering" See notes at Leviticus 2. These offerings were given in a set sequence. ▣ "ephah. . .hin" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ANE WEIGHTS AND VOLUMES. 15:5 "wine for the libation" This is also mentioned in v. 10. See SPECIAL TOPIC: WINE AND STRONG DRINK.
Números 15:14-16
15:14-16 YHWH always welcomed aliens who lived with Israel to join in their worship. There was one law for them both (cf. Exod. 12:49; Lev. 24:22; Num. 15:15, 16, 29). 15:15-16 "statute. . .ordinance" See SPECIAL TOPIC: TERMS FOR GOD'S REVELATION.
Números 15:17-21
15:17-21 These guidelines refer to initial offerings upon entering Canaan. They were meant to symbolize YHWH's ownership of the land and its bounty. This same symbolism is true for the Sabbath ‒ see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE SABBATH the tithe ‒ see SPECIAL TOPIC: TITHING IN THE MOSAIC LEGISLATION the firstborn ‒ see SPECIAL TOPIC: FIRSTBORN
Números 15:22-26
15:22-31 These paragraphs deal with intentional (i.e., defiantly, v. 30) and unintentional disobedience. See SPECIAL TOPIC: UNINTENTIONAL SINS. 15:25 "make atonement" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ATONEMENT.
Números 15:27-31
15:30 NASB, JPSOA "defiantly" NKJV, REB "presumptiously" "high-handedly" TEV, NJB "deliberately" "with a hard hand of arrogance" "wittingly" The phrase is literally "with a high hand" (BDB 926), which could denote defiance, presumption boldness (cf. Exod. 14:8; Num. 33:3) clear-eyed rebellion against YHWH's law (note v. 31; 2 Sam. 12:9; 2 Chr. 36:16) This is exactly the opposite mentality of "unintentional" (BDB 993). ▣ NASB, Peshitta "blaspheming the Lord" "brings reproach on the Lord" "affronts the Lord" "treating the Lord with contempt" "commits an outrage against Yahweh" "reviles the Lord" "insults the Lord" "this one provokes God" This VERB (BDB 154, KB 180, always in Piel stem) means to impugn one's character by acting in certain ways (cf. 2 Kgs. 19:22; Isa. 37:23; Ezek. 10:27, NIDOTTE, vol, 1, pp. 828-830). YHWH is blasphemed when His people act in knowingly rebellious ways. It is not just their words but their acts that reveal their hearts (Num. 15:31)! In the NT "YHWH" comes before the VERB for emphasis. The consequences for speaking against YHWH are spelled out in Lev. 24:15-16. ▣ "cut off" See notes at Lev. 17:10 and Num. 9:13; 20:3. In the next verse this VERB (BDB 503, KB 500, Niphal IMPERFECT) is matched with the INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE of the same root, for emphasis (NASB, "shall be completely cut off"). This would refer to their parents.
Números 15:32-36
15:32-36 Like Num. 9:1-8, something happened that was not specifically dealt with in YHWH's revelation, so Moses had to consult Him to ascertain His will in the matter. Until YHWH revealed His will, the accused was held in confinement (cf. Lev. 24:12). 15:35 "shall surely be put to death" This is an emphatic construction (i.e., an INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and an IMPERFECT VERB of the same root, BDB 559, KB 562). See SPECIAL TOPIC: DEATH PENALTY IN ISRAEL. ▣ "all the congregation shall stone him with stones" This was a way for corporate Israel to remove sin from their midst. See SPECIAL TOPIC: STONE TO DEATH. Even though the VERB and NOUN are from different roots (cf. 15:36), they have the same meaning and are emphatic, like Num. 14:10.
Números 15:37-41
15:37-41 This paragraph is about "tassels" (BDB 851; NIDOTTE, vol.1, pp. 827-828). In Deut. 22:12 another word is used, "twisted threads" (BDB 152). They refer to the same thing. here, they were attached to their clothing to remind the Israelites to keep the Law in Deut. 22:12, they were to help separate the Israelis from the Canaanites (see note there online) by Jesus' day the rabbis quoted these verses in connection to the head covering during worship (tallith, prayer shawl, cf. Matt. 23:5), which later became the yarmulke, worn daily 15:39b This phrase shows YHWH's understanding of the fallen nature of human beings after Genesis 3 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FALL [Genesis 3 in the NT]). ▣ "played the harlot" This is a Semitic idiom referring to Israel's worshiping the fertility gods of the ANE (cf. Exod. 34:14,15,16; Lev. 17:7; 20:5,6; Deut. 31:16) YHWH as Israel's true husband (i.e., Jer. 31:32; Hosea 1-3) 15:41 This is covenant language (cf. Exod. 20:2) reminding Israel of YHWH's promises to Abraham, Gen. 15:12-22. YHWH, and only YHWH, was Israel's Deity. See SPECIAL TOPIC: MONOTHEISM.