Numbers 15:26

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 15:26 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and all the congregation of the children of Israel shall be forgiven, and the stranger that sojourneth among them; for in respect of all the people it was done unwittingly.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and all the congregation of the children of Israel shall be forgiven, and the stranger that sojourneth among them; for in respect of all the people it was done unwittingly.
Numbers 15:26 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
26and all the congregation of the children of Israel shall be forgiven, and the stranger that sojourneth among them; for in respect of all the people it was done unwittingly.

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 it shall be forgiven all the congregation of the children of Israel, etc.] 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, ( <450409>Romans 4:9 <620202> 1 John 2:2); seeing all the people [were] in ignorance; both the congregation of Israel and the stranger; (see Gill on “<041525>Numbers 15:25”).”
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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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Related study paths

Sources and verification