Numbers 15:37

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 15:37 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,
Numbers 15:37 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
37And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

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 Lord spoke unto Moses, etc.] After the giving of the above laws, and the order for stoning the sabbath breaker; and the rather what follows is connected with them, because it was to put them in mind of these and all other commands; and of so much importance is the precept directed to, that the Jews say, and Jarchi particularly, that it is equivalent to all the commands, and which he makes to be the reason of its being placed here: saying; as follows.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“15:37-41 Had the Hebrews remembered their special relationship with the Lord, they might have avoided the problems reported in Numbers. The tassels reminded Israel of their special relationship with a holy God and his demands. He had redeemed his people from Egypt, and in keeping with his call to covenant relationship with himself he expected them to observe the law (cp. Deut 6:6-9; Matt 9:20; 14:36; 23:5). • The color blue signified royalty and reflected God’s holiness.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“(cf. Deu 22:12). The command to wear Tassels on the Edge of the Upper Garment appears to have been occasioned by the incident just described. The Israelites were to wear ציצת, tassels, on the wings of their upper garments, or, according to Deu 22:12, at the four corners of the upper garment. כּסוּת, the covering in which a man wraps himself, synonymous with בּגד, was the upper garment, consisting of a four-cornered cloth or piece of stuff, which was thrown over the body-coat (see my Bibl. Archol. ii. pp. 36, 37), and is not to be referred, as Schultz supposes, to the bed-coverings also, although this garment was actually used as a counterpane by the poor (see Exo 22:25-26). "And upon the…”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification