Numbers 15:25

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 15:25 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the priest shall make atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel, and they shall be forgiven; for it was an error, and they have brought their oblation, an offering made by fire unto Jehovah, and their sin-offering before Jehovah, for their error:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the priest shall make atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel, and they shall be forgiven; for it was an error, and they have brought their oblation, an offering made by fire unto Jehovah, and their sin-offering before Jehovah, for their error:
Numbers 15:25 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
25And the priest shall make atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel, and they shall be forgiven; for it was an error, and they have brought their oblation, an offering made by fire unto Jehovah, and their sin-offering before Jehovah, for their error:

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the priest shall make an atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel; etc.] 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, (<620202>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 ignorance, for which reason Christ pleads for pardon on the foot of his sacrifice, and his people receive it, (<422334>Luke 23:34 <540113>1 Timothy 1:13); for that this sin was forgiven on the score of a…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The heavy punishments which had already overtaken the people might naturally give rise to apprehensions for the future, especially in view of the fact that on the approaching entrance into Canaan the complete observance of the Law in all its details would become imperative on them. To meet such apprehensions a distinction is emphatically drawn between sins of ignorance (Leviticus 4:13 ff) and those of presumption Numbers 15:30-31. The passage deals separately with imperfections of obedience which would be regarded as attaching to the whole nation Numbers 15:22-26, and those of individuals Numbers 15:27-30. Numbers 15:24 Without the knowledge of the congregation - literally, as marginal. The…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the priest: Lev 4:20, Lev 4:26; Rom 3:25; Jo1 2:2 forgiven them: Luk 23:34; Act 13:39 Numbers 15:27”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification