Keraia
Numbers 15

Numbers 15:36

A Sabbath-Breaker Stoned · Numbers 15:32–36
Read Numbers 15

Translations

Modern
So the whole congregation took the man outside the camp and stoned him to death, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Traditional
And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the Lord commanded Moses.
Literal
And all the congregation brought him to the outside of the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died, as YHWH had commanded Moses.
Latin
Cumque eduxissent eum foras, obruerunt lapidibus, et mortuus est, sicut præceperat Dominus.

Original

Hebrew
English
So the whole congregation took the man outside the camp and stoned him to death, as the LORD had commanded Moses.

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

Parallels

Exodus 31:12–17

People

Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Glossary

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

Topics

Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Returned by the Way to the Red Sea: Sabbath Breaker Stoned Punishment: Death Penalty for Desecrating the Sabbath Day Punishment: Death Penalty: Executed by the Entire Congregation Punishment: Death Penalty: Stoning Punishments were Inflicted by the People Sabbath: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Stoning: Stoning: Sabbath Breaker The Sabbath: Punishment of Those Who Profane