Numbers 15:22-29

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Numbers 15:22-29

We have here the laws concerning sacrifices for sins of ignorance; the Jews understand it of idolatry, or false worship, through the error of their teachers. The case here supposed is that they had not observed all these commandments, Num. 15:22; 23. If they had failed in the offerings of their acknowledgment, and had not brought them according to the law, then they must bring an offering of atonement, yea, though the omission had been through forgetfulness or mistake. If they failed in one... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 15:22

And if ye have erred ,.... Gone astray from the law of God, and any of its precepts; every sin is an error, a missing of the mark, a wandering from the way of God's commandments. Jarchi, and the Jews in general, interpret this of idolatry, but it rather respects any deviation from the law, moral or ceremonial, especially the latter: and not observed all these commandments which the Lord hath spoken unto Moses ; in this chapter, more particularly concerning the meat offerings and drink... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 15:23

Even all that the Lord hath commanded you by the hand of Moses ,.... Recorded in this book and the two preceding, whether of a moral, ceremonial, or judicial kind; the whole body of laws given to the people of Israel from the Lord by Moses: from the day that the Lord commanded Moses , and henceforward among your generations ; all that he had commanded, or should hereafter command. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 15:24

Then it shall be, if ought be committed by ignorance ,.... Of the law of God, not clearly understanding the meaning of it, or not knowing of the several precepts of it, and the circumstances of each, and the manner of performing obedience thereunto: without the knowledge of the congregation ; or they being ignorant of the true intent of the law and form of obeying it; for this is to be understood not of the sin of a private person through ignorance, but of the body of the people; or of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 15:25

And the priest shall make an atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel ;.... By offering a sin offering for them, a type of Christ, the propitiation not only for the sins of the people among the Jews, but throughout the whole world, 1 John 2:2 , and it shall be forgiven them ; as the sins of the Lord's people are forgiven them through the blood of Christ, and on account of his stoning sacrifice and satisfaction made for them: for it is ignorance ; a sin of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 15:26

And it shall be forgiven all the congregation of the children of Israel ,.... Which is repeated for the certainty of it, and for the sake of what follows: and the stranger that sojourneth among them ; the proselyte of righteousness; so the blessing of pardon, through the propitiatory sacrifice of Christ, comes upon believing Gentiles as well as Jews, Romans 4:9 , seeing all the people were in ignorance ; both the congregation of Israel and the stranger; See Gill on Numbers 15:25... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 15:27

And if any soul sin through ignorance ,.... Any private or particular person, by breaking any of the above commands, or any other, not rightly understanding them, or not adverting: to the circumstances required in the manner of performing them: then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering ; which differed in this from the sin offering of a congregation that sinned through ignorance; that was a kid of the goats, whether male or female, but this was to be a female... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 15:28

And the priest shall make atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly ,.... By offering his sin offering for him: when he sinneth by ignorance before the Lord ; to whom it is known to be such, before whom all things are naked, open, and well known: to make an atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him ; upon that atonement made by sacrifice; so the forgiveness of the sins of all the Lord's people proceeds upon an atonement made by the blood and sacrifice of Christ: full... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Numbers 15:29

You shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance ,.... Which enjoins a she goat for a sin offering for such: both for him that is born amongst the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them ; both sinning through ignorance, the same sacrifice was offered for them, by which atonement was made, and through which their sin was forgiven; by whom are meant homeborn Israelites and proselytes of righteousness, who were under the same laws, and enjoyed the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 15:24

If aught be committed by ignorance - See the notes on Leviticus 4:2 , and Leviticus 5:17 . The case here probably refers to the whole congregation; the cases above, to the sin of an individual. read more

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