Numbers 15:22

Translations

Modern

Now if you stray unintentionally and do not obey all these commandments that the LORD has spoken to Moses—

Traditional

And if ye have erred, and not observed all these commandments, which the Lord hath spoken unto Moses,

Literal

And if you err and do not observe all these commandments that YHWH has spoken to Moses,

Latin

Quod si per ignorantiam præterieritis quidquam horum, quæ locutus est Dominus ad Moysen,

Original

Hebrew

English

Now if you stray unintentionally and do not obey all these commandments that the LORD has spoken to Moses—

Notes

Numbers 15:22–29

Sins done without knowing were treated differently from sins done on purpose (15:30–31). The law also made a difference between the actions of the whole community and the actions of one person (see also Leviticus 4–5).

Numbers 15:1–41

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.

Theme notes and profiles

Atonement

Related verses

Leviticus 4:2
“Tell the Israelites to do as follows with one who sins unintentionally against any of the LORD’s commandments and does what is forbidden by them:
Psalm 19:12
Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults.
Leviticus 5:15–17
“If someone acts unfaithfully and sins unintentionally against any of the LORD’s holy things, he must bring his guilt offering to the LORD: an unblemished ram from the flock, of proper value in silver shekels according to the sanctuary shekel; it is a guilt offering.
Leviticus 4:27
And if one of the common people sins unintentionally and does what is prohibited by any of the LORD’s commandments, he incurs guilt.
Leviticus 4:13–14
Now if the whole congregation of Israel strays unintentionally and the matter escapes the notice of the assembly so that they violate any of the LORD’s commandments and incur guilt by doing what is forbidden,
Leviticus 5:13
In this way the priest will make atonement for him for any of these sins he has committed, and he will be forgiven. The remainder will belong to the priest, like the grain offering.”
Luke 12:48
But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded.
Leviticus 4:22
When a leader sins unintentionally and does what is prohibited by any of the commandments of the LORD his God, he incurs guilt.

People

Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Glossary

Biblical Concept of Law Deuteronomy, Book of Numbers, Book of Wilderness Wanderings

Topics

Atonement: Made by Animal Sacrifices Ignorance: Sins of

Numbers 15:22

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