Numbers 15:34

34 And they had him shut up, because they had no directions about what was to be done with him.

Numbers 15:34 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 15:34

And they put him in ward
In a certain prison in the camp; perhaps the same in which the blasphemer was put, ( Leviticus 24:12 ) ; and for much the same reason:

because it was not declared what should be done to him:
that is, what kind of death he should die, as Jarchi and Aben Ezra; it had been before declared that the sabbath breaker should die, but not what death he should die, ( Exodus 31:15 ) ( 35:2 ) ; though some think it was a matter of doubt whether gathering of sticks was a breach of the sabbath, or at least such a breach of it as required death; and the answer of the Lord seems to confirm this sense, as follows.

Numbers 15:34 In-Context

32 Now while the children of Israel were in the waste land, they saw a man who was getting sticks on the Sabbath day.

33 And those who saw him getting sticks took him before Moses and Aaron and all the people.

34 And they had him shut up, because they had no directions about what was to be done with him.

35 Then the Lord said to Moses, Certainly the man is to be put to death: let him be stoned by all the people outside the tent-circle.

36 So all the people took him outside the tent-circle and he was stoned to death there, as the Lord gave orders to Moses.