Translations
Original
Notes
These gifts were signs of gratitude to God for the crops he provided. The people were not to give these offerings right away. They were to begin after the Hebrews reached the promised land.
At that time, they would settle there and begin planting crops. Then they would bring these gifts to thank God for the harvest.
Chapters 1–14 cover a short time period, but chapter 15 marks the start of a long period. This is the main part of the forty years in the wilderness, about which little is known. There are references to events during this time (for example, Deuteronomy 8:2–6; 29:5–6; Joshua 5:4–8; Ezekiel 20:10–26; Amos 5:25–26; Acts 7:42–43).
During this period, Moses continued to give laws to guide Israel’s life as a nation. These laws would be especially important in the future. They were meant for the day when the people who survived the wilderness would enter the promised land.
This chapter addresses three main types of laws. Numbers 15 is in the middle of stories about a stubborn and disobedient Israel. It offers hope that the promised land still waited for the next generation of Israel’s people.
Glossary
Biblical Concept of Law Deuteronomy, Book of Firstfruits Numbers, Book of Offerings and Sacrifices Wilderness Wanderings
Topics
Dough: First of, offered to God Heave-Offering: Consisted of First Fruits of Bread Offerings: Heave: To be offered on Taking Possession of the Land of Canaan Offerings: Heave: when offered