Numbers 15:32

Translations

Modern

While the Israelites were in the wilderness, a man was found gathering wood on the Sabbath day.

Traditional

And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day.

Literal

And while the sons of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day.

Latin

Factum est autem, cum essent filii Israël in solitudine, et invenissent hominem colligentem ligna in die sabbati,

Original

Hebrew

English

While the Israelites were in the wilderness, a man was found gathering wood on the Sabbath day.

Notes

Numbers 15:32–36

This story gives an example of what Numbers 15:30–31 teaches. The Sabbath was the Lord’s holy day. The people were not allowed to ignore it or treat it as unimportant (Exodus 20:8–11; 31:14–15; 35:1–3).

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

Moses Violation of the Sacred

Related verses

Exodus 35:2–3
For six days work may be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a Sabbath of complete rest to the LORD. Whoever does any work on that day must be put to death.
Exodus 20:8–10
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
Exodus 16:23
He told them, “This is what the LORD has said: ‘Tomorrow is to be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. So bake what you want to bake, and boil what you want to boil. Then set aside whatever remains and keep it until morning.’”
Exodus 16:27–28
Yet on the seventh day some of the people went out to gather, but they did not find anything.
Exodus 31:14–15
Keep the Sabbath, for it is holy to you. Anyone who profanes it must surely be put to death. Whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from among his people.

Parallels

Exodus 31:12–17

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Sabbath: The seventh day of the week, set apart for rest and worship

Glossary

Biblical Concept of Law Courts and Trials Criminal Law and Punishment Deuteronomy, Book of Feasts and Festivals of Israel Numbers, Book of Sabbath Wilderness Wanderings

Topics

Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Returned by the Way to the Red Sea: Sabbath Breaker Stoned Legislation: Supplemental, Concerning Sabbath-Breaking Punishment: Death Penalty for Desecrating the Sabbath Day Sabbath: Observance of by Moses Sabbath: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Sabbath: Violations of Gathering Sticks The Sabbath: Dishonouring of: Gatherers of Sticks The Sabbath: Honoring of Moses The Sabbath: Punishment of Those Who Profane

Numbers 15:32

Translations?

Original?

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Related verses?

Parallels?