So the whole congregation took the man outside the camp and stoned him to death, as the LORD had commanded Moses. So the whole congregationThis phrase emphasizes the collective responsibility and unity of the Israelite community. In the Hebrew context, the word for "congregation" is "עֵדָה" (edah), which refers to an assembly or gathering of people. This highlights the communal nature of the Israelites' covenant relationship with God. The entire community was involved in upholding God's laws, reflecting the importance of communal holiness and accountability. took him outside the camp
The act of taking someone outside the camp signifies separation from the community, both physically and spiritually. In ancient Israel, the camp represented the presence of God among His people. Removing someone from the camp was a way to maintain the purity and holiness of the community. This action underscores the seriousness of sin and the need to protect the sanctity of the congregation. and stoned him
Stoning was a common form of capital punishment in ancient Israel, prescribed for certain transgressions against God's law. The Hebrew word for "stoned" is "סָקַל" (sakal), which conveys the idea of casting stones as a form of execution. This method of punishment was communal, involving the participation of the people, which served as a deterrent and a public affirmation of the community's commitment to God's commandments. to death
The phrase "to death" indicates the finality and severity of the punishment. In the context of the Mosaic Law, certain sins warranted the death penalty to demonstrate the gravity of disobedience to God's commands. This reflects the holiness and justice of God, who requires His people to live according to His standards. as the LORD had commanded Moses
This phrase underscores the divine authority behind the action taken by the Israelites. The command came directly from the LORD, highlighting the importance of obedience to God's instructions. Moses, as the mediator between God and the people, conveyed God's will, and the community's compliance with this command demonstrates their reverence for God's authority and their commitment to upholding His law. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Israelite CommunityThe collective group of God's chosen people, the Israelites, who were journeying through the wilderness under Moses' leadership. 2. The Man Gathering SticksAn unnamed individual who violated the Sabbath by gathering sticks, an act that led to his execution as a demonstration of the seriousness of Sabbath observance. 3. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, who sought God's guidance on how to handle the man's transgression. 4. The LORD (Yahweh)The God of Israel, who provided the commandment regarding the Sabbath and instructed Moses on the punishment for the transgression. 5. The CongregationThe assembly of Israelites who were involved in carrying out the LORD's command to execute the man. Teaching Points The Sanctity of the SabbathThe Sabbath was a sign of the covenant between God and Israel, emphasizing rest and holiness. Violating it was a serious offense, highlighting the importance of obedience to God's commands. The Seriousness of SinThe execution of the man gathering sticks underscores the gravity of sin and the need for reverence towards God's laws. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience. Community ResponsibilityThe involvement of the entire congregation in carrying out the punishment illustrates the communal aspect of upholding God's standards and the collective responsibility to maintain holiness. Seeking God's GuidanceMoses' decision to seek God's direction before acting teaches the importance of seeking divine wisdom in difficult situations, rather than relying solely on human judgment. The Role of LeadershipMoses' leadership in this situation demonstrates the role of leaders in guiding the community according to God's will and ensuring that His laws are upheld. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the punishment of the man gathering sticks reflect the importance of the Sabbath in the Israelite community, and how can we apply the principle of rest in our lives today? 2. In what ways does this passage challenge us to consider the seriousness of sin and its consequences in our own lives? 3. How can we, as a community of believers, support one another in upholding God's standards and maintaining holiness? 4. What can we learn from Moses' example about the importance of seeking God's guidance in our decision-making processes? 5. How does the concept of Sabbath rest in the Old Testament connect to the spiritual rest offered through faith in Christ, as described in the New Testament? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 20:8-11This passage provides the original commandment to keep the Sabbath holy, which the man violated by gathering sticks. Leviticus 24:10-23Similar to Numbers 15:36, this passage describes a case where the community sought God's guidance on how to handle a transgression, emphasizing the importance of following God's laws. Hebrews 4:9-11This New Testament passage speaks to the spiritual rest that believers enter through faith in Christ, connecting the physical rest of the Sabbath to a deeper spiritual truth. People Aaron, Ephah, Israelites, MosesPlaces Egypt, Wilderness of ParanTopics Assembly, Bring, Camp, Commanded, Company, Congregation, Death, Died, Dieth, Led, Orders, Outside, Stone, Stoned, Stones, Tent-circleDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 15:36 5485 punishment, legal aspects Numbers 15:32-36 4366 stones Numbers 15:35-36 5213 assembly Library List of Abbreviations Used in Reference to Rabbinic Writings Quoted in this Work.
THE Mishnah is always quoted according to Tractate, Chapter (Pereq) and Paragraph (Mishnah), the Chapter being marked in Roman, the paragraph in ordinary Numerals. Thus Ber. ii. 4 means the Mishnic Tractate Berakhoth, second Chapter, fourth Paragraph. The Jerusalem Talmud is distinguished by the abbreviation Jer. before the name of the Tractate. Thus, Jer. Ber. is the Jer. Gemara, or Talmud, of the Tractate Berakhoth. The edition, from which quotations are made, is that commonly used, Krotoschin, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the MessiahWe are Drawing Near the End, and to the Highest Conclusions of True Human Wisdom...
We are drawing near the end, and to the highest conclusions of true human wisdom; and full of deepest interest it is to mark the character of these conclusions. Reason speaks; that faculty that is rightly termed divine, for its possession marks those who are "the offspring of God." He is the Father of spirits, and it is in the spirit that Reason has her seat; whilst in our Preacher she is enthroned, and now with authority utters forth her counsels. Here we may listen to just how far she can …
F. C. Jennings—Old Groans and New Songs Seventh Day. Holiness and Obedience.
Ye have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: ye shall be unto me an holy nation.'--Ex. xix. 4-6. Israel has reached Horeb. The law is to be given and the covenant made. Here are God's first words to the people; He speaks of redemption and its blessing, fellowship with Himself: 'Ye have seen how I brought …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ The Healing of the Woman - Christ's Personal Appearance - the Raising of Jairus' Daughter
THERE seems remarkable correspondence between the two miracles which Jesus had wrought on leaving Capernaum and those which He did on His return. In one sense they are complementary to each other. The stilling of the storm and the healing of the demonised were manifestations of the absolute power inherent in Christ; the recovery of the woman and the raising of Jairus' daughter, evidence of the absolute efficacy of faith. The unlikeliness of dominion over the storm, and of command over a legion of …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Among the People, and with the Pharisees
It would have been difficult to proceed far either in Galilee or in Judaea without coming into contact with an altogether peculiar and striking individuality, differing from all around, and which would at once arrest attention. This was the Pharisee. Courted or feared, shunned or flattered, reverently looked up to or laughed at, he was equally a power everywhere, both ecclesiastically and politically, as belonging to the most influential, the most zealous, and the most closely-connected religions …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Degrees of Sin
Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous? Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others. He that delivered me unto thee, has the greater sin.' John 19: 11. The Stoic philosophers held that all sins were equal; but this Scripture clearly holds forth that there is a gradual difference in sin; some are greater than others; some are mighty sins,' and crying sins.' Amos 5: 12; Gen 18: 21. Every sin has a voice to speak, but some …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments The Worship of the Synagogue
One of the most difficult questions in Jewish history is that connected with the existence of a synagogue within the Temple. That such a "synagogue" existed, and that its meeting-place was in "the hall of hewn stones," at the south-eastern angle of the court of the priest, cannot be called in question, in face of the clear testimony of contemporary witnesses. Considering that "the hall of hew stones" was also the meeting-place for the great Sanhedrim, and that not only legal decisions, but lectures …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Jesus' Last Public Discourse. Denunciation of Scribes and Pharisees.
(in the Court of the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXIII. 1-39; ^B Mark XII. 38-40; ^C Luke XX. 45-47. ^a 1 Then spake Jesus ^b 38 And in his teaching ^c in the hearing of all the people he said unto ^a the multitudes, and to his disciples [he spoke in the most public manner], 2 saying, ^c 46 Beware of the scribes, ^a The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat: 3 all things whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Jesus Heals on the Sabbath Day and Defends his Act.
(at Feast-Time at Jerusalem, Probably the Passover.) ^D John V. 1-47. ^d 1 After these things there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. [Though every feast in the Jewish calendar has found some one to advocate its claim to be this unnamed feast, yet the vast majority of commentators choose either the feast of Purim, which came in March, or the Passover, which came in April. Older commentators pretty unanimously regarded it as the Passover, while the later school favor the feast …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Third Day in Passion-Week - the Last Controversies and Discourses - the Sadducees and the Resurrection - the Scribe and the Great Commandment - Question
THE last day in the Temple was not to pass without other temptations' than that of the Priests when they questioned His authority, or of the Pharisees when they cunningly sought to entangle Him in His speech. Indeed, Christ had on this occasion taken a different position; He had claimed supreme authority, and thus challenged the leaders of Israel. For this reason, and because at the last we expect assaults from all His enemies, we are prepared for the controversies of that day. We remember that, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 15:36 NIVNumbers 15:36 NLTNumbers 15:36 ESVNumbers 15:36 NASBNumbers 15:36 KJV
Numbers 15:36 Commentaries
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