What is the meaning of Numbers 15:29?

You shall have the same law

God declares, “You shall have the same law,” rooting justice in His own unchanging character (Malachi 3:6).

• One statute—not two—guards against favoritism (Deuteronomy 1:17; James 2:1).

• The law reveals sin equally for every heart (Romans 3:19).

• Consistent standards reflect God’s fairness; He “shows no partiality” (Romans 2:11).

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for the one who acts in error

The verse addresses sin committed unintentionally.

• Leviticus 4 details offerings for such mistakes, underscoring that ignorance never cancels guilt.

• Mercy is available, yet repentance and sacrifice are still required (Psalm 19:12; Hebrews 9:7).

• By spotlighting unintentional sin, the passage points forward to Christ, whose blood covers every kind of failing (Hebrews 9:14).

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whether he is a native-born Israelite

Covenant people are first in line for responsibility.

• Israel had received God’s oracles (Romans 3:1–2) and was expected to model holiness (Exodus 19:5-6).

• Even so, heritage offered no loopholes; every Israelite needed atonement (Psalm 51:5; Isaiah 64:6).

• The verse reminds believers today that church membership never replaces personal repentance (1 Peter 4:17).

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or a foreigner residing among you

The Lord extends the same mercy—and the same accountability—to outsiders.

• Earlier, God said, “You are to have the same law for the foreigner and the native-born” (Exodus 12:49).

• Ruth, Rahab, and the Ninevites illustrate Gentiles welcomed under God’s standards (Ruth 2:12; Joshua 6:25; Jonah 3:5-10).

• This anticipates the gospel call: “In every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him” (Acts 10:34-35; Ephesians 2:12-19).

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looking forward through the gospel

• The one law finds fulfillment in the one Savior (John 14:6; Hebrews 10:1-14).

• Equal guilt meets equal grace: “There is no distinction, for all have sinned… and are justified freely by His grace” (Romans 3:22-24).

• Believers, regardless of background, now form “one new man” in Christ (Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 2:15).

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summary

Numbers 15:29 teaches that God’s standard is universal, His justice impartial, and His mercy available to all who humble themselves before Him. The same law that exposes every unintentional sin also prepares every heart—Israelite or foreigner—for the perfect atonement found in Jesus Christ.