FocusPriesthood and cleansing
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Further rebellion and instructions about service and cleansing develop the people's life during the wilderness period.
interpretation Numbers 15:1
KJVAnd the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Read it in context
Laws about Offerings
Start reading at Numbers 15:1 (Numbers 15:1 to Numbers 15:21).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Further rebellion and instructions about service and cleansing develop the people's life during the wilderness period.
- 15:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
- 15:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land of your habitations, which I give unto you,
- 15:3 And will make an offering by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, or a sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a freewill offering, or in your solemn feasts, to make a sweet savour unto the LORD, of the herd, or of the flock:
- 15:4 Then shall he that offereth his offering unto the LORD bring a meat offering of a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of oil.
- 15:5 And the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering shalt thou prepare with the burnt offering or sacrifice, for one lamb.
- 15:6 Or for a ram, thou shalt prepare for a meat offering two tenth deals of flour mingled with the third part of an hin of oil.
- 15:7 And for a drink offering thou shalt offer the third part of an hin of wine, for a sweet savour unto the LORD.
- 15:8 And when thou preparest a bullock for a burnt offering, or for a sacrifice in performing a vow, or peace offerings unto the LORD:
- 15:9 Then shall he bring with a bullock a meat offering of three tenth deals of flour mingled with half an hin of oil.
- 15:10 And thou shalt bring for a drink offering half an hin of wine, for an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.
- 15:11 Thus shall it be done for one bullock, or for one ram, or for a lamb, or a kid.
- 15:12 According to the number that ye shall prepare, so shall ye do to every one according to their number.
- 15:13 All that are born of the country shall do these things after this manner, in offering an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.
- 15:14 And if a stranger sojourn with you, or whosoever be among you in your generations, and will offer an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD; as ye do, so he shall do.
- 15:15 One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you, an ordinance for ever in your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the LORD.
- 15:16 One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.
- 15:17 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
- 15:18 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land whither I bring you,
- 15:19 Then it shall be, that, when ye eat of the bread of the land, ye shall offer up an heave offering unto the LORD.
- 15:20 Ye shall offer up a cake of the first of your dough for an heave offering: as ye do the heave offering of the threshingfloor, so shall ye heave it.
- 15:21 Of the first of your dough ye shall give unto the LORD an heave offering in your generations.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Moses is the traditional author. He is explicitly credited with writing Israel's journeys at the LORD's command. Biblical references: Numbers 33:2. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Numbers 15:1–15:41): The LORD gives Moses instructions for Israel's offerings and conduct in the land. The sabbath-breaker's case is heard by Moses, Aaron, and the congregation. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Israel during the wilderness journey, including the generation preparing to enter Canaan, with the record preserved for later Israel. Biblical references: Numbers 1:1; Numbers 26:63; Numbers 36:13. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Laws about Offerings. Read Numbers 15:1 through Numbers 15:21 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Further rebellion and instructions about service and cleansing develop the people's life during the wilderness period. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book moves from the second year after departure from Egypt toward the fortieth year, through the deaths of the wilderness generation and preparation of its successors. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The setting moves from Sinai through wilderness stations to the plains of Moab east of Jordan. Individual journeys and encounters name more precise locations. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Laws about Offerings (Numbers 15:1 to Numbers 15:21). Start reading at Numbers 15:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Jesus explicitly refers to Moses lifting up the serpent when speaking about the Son of man. Paul also uses wilderness events as warnings for the church; these connections preserve both God's provision and human responsibility. See John 3:14, John 3:15, 1 Corinthians 10:6, 1 Corinthians 10:12. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Receive warnings about complaint, unbelief, and rebellion without presuming that participation in a community removes personal responsibility. Read each event with its stated circumstances. interpretation
Cited: Numbers 15:1, Numbers 15:21, John 3:14, John 3:15, 1 Corinthians 10:6, 1 Corinthians 10:12
Who wrote it, and how we know
Moses (traditional)
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book states that Moses wrote the record of the journeys at the LORD's command.
Numbers 33:2
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition names Moses.
What is debatedSource-critical theories propose later editing.
Time covered by Numbers
About 38 years
- Second year after the exodusBeginning · Numbers 1:1
Israel is counted at Sinai
The opening census is dated to the first day of the second month in the second year after leaving Egypt. - Fortieth year after the exodusClosing wilderness period
Israel prepares to enter the land
Aaron’s death is dated to the fortieth year. The closing instructions are given on the plains of Moab before Israel crosses the Jordan.
The dated narrative moves from the second year toward the end of the fortieth year, an interval of roughly 38 years.
View historical notes and sources
This is an approximate span of the narrative, not an exact count of days and not the date when the book was written. Numbers 33:38 dates Aaron’s death; Numbers 36:13 identifies the closing setting. Deuteronomy 1:3 places Moses’ subsequent address in the fortieth year.
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Numbers 15
Numbers follows Israel in the wilderness and toward the plains of Moab. The narrative moves from one numbered generation to another, combining events with commands for Israel. Distinguish the date of a narrated event from a proposed date of composition. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Numbers 1:1 Numbers 14:29 Numbers 26:64
Offerings for Unintentional Sins
Numbers 15:22–31FocusPriesthood and cleansing
Connection to the wholeFurther rebellion and instructions about service and cleansing develop the people's life during the wilderness period.
interpretation A Sabbath-Breaker Stoned
Numbers 15:32–36FocusPriesthood and cleansing
Connection to the wholeFurther rebellion and instructions about service and cleansing develop the people's life during the wilderness period.
interpretation The Law of Tassels
Numbers 15:37–41FocusPriesthood and cleansing
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Further rebellion and instructions about service and cleansing develop the people's life during the wilderness period.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Numbers
Numbers follows Israel in the wilderness and toward the plains of Moab. The narrative moves from one numbered generation to another, combining events with commands for Israel. Distinguish the date of a narrated event from a proposed date of composition.
Numbers 1:1 Numbers 14:29 Numbers 26:64
Ordering the camp
Numbers 1:1–10:10FocusNumbering, worship, and preparation
Connection to the wholeThe camp is organized around the tabernacle and prepared to depart from Sinai.
interpretation The journey and the refusal to enter
Numbers 10:11–14:45FocusComplaint, leadership, and unbelief
Connection to the wholeTravel and repeated complaints culminate in the refusal to enter the land and the sentence upon that generation.
interpretation FocusPriesthood and cleansing
Connection to the wholeFurther rebellion and instructions about service and cleansing develop the people's life during the wilderness period.
interpretation Toward Moab
Numbers 20:1–25:18FocusLoss, conflict, blessing, and unfaithfulness
Connection to the wholeDeaths and conflicts accompany the approach to Moab. Balaam's oracles are followed by Israel's sin at Peor, keeping blessing and responsibility together.
interpretation The next generation prepared
Numbers 26:1–30:16FocusInheritance, leadership, offerings, and vows
Connection to the wholeA new numbering and instructions prepare the people who will enter the land, including Joshua's appointment.
interpretation Final arrangements east of Jordan
Numbers 31:1–36:13FocusJudgment, settlement, and boundaries
Connection to the wholeMilitary action, settlement requests, the travel record, and land provisions complete the preparation for entry into Canaan.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.