Numbers 15:1-21

Immigrants in the land of Canaan

1 The LORD spoke to Moses:
2 Speak to the Israelites and say to them: When you enter the land where you will live, which I am giving you,
3 and you make a food gift to the LORD as a soothing smell for the LORD from the herd or the flock—whether an entirely burned offering, or a sacrifice to fulfill a solemn promise, or a spontaneous gift, or at your sacred seasons—
4 the one presenting the offering to the LORD will bring a grain offering of one-tenth of fine flour mixed with one-fourth of a hin of oil.
5 You will also offer one-fourth of a hin of wine as a drink offering with either the entirely burned offering or the sacrifice, for each lamb.
6 For a ram you will offer a grain offering of two-tenths of a measure of fine flour mixed with one-third of a hin of oil.
7 You will also present one-third of a hin of wine for a drink offering as a soothing smell for the LORD.
8 When you offer a bull for an entirely burned offering, or a sacrifice to fulfill a solemn promise, or a well-being sacrifice to the LORD,
9 you will present with the bull a grain offering of three-tenths of a measure of fine flour mixed with a half hin of oil.
10 You will present a half hin of wine for a drink offering as a food gift that is a soothing smell to the LORD.
11 So will it be done with each ox, each ram, or for any sheep or goat.
12 However many you offer, you will do the same for each one.
13 Every citizen will perform these rituals in bringing a food gift that is a soothing smell to the LORD.
14 If an immigrant lives with you or has settled among you for many years and would also like to offer a food gift that is a soothing smell to the LORD, that person must do just as you do.
15 The assembly will have the same regulation for you and for the immigrant. The regulation will be permanent for all time. You and the immigrant will be the same in the LORD's presence.
16 There will be one set of instructions and one legal norm for the immigrant and for you.
17 The LORD spoke to Moses:
18 Speak to the Israelites and say to them: When you enter the land to which I'm bringing you,
19 whenever you eat the land's food you will present a gift offering to the LORD.
20 You will present a gift offering from the first bread you bake just like you present a gift offering from the threshing floor.
21 You will give a gift offering from the first bread you bake for all time.

Numbers 15:1-21 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 15

In this chapter the children of Israel are instructed about the meat offerings and drink offerings, and the quantities of them, which were always to go along with their burnt offerings and peace offerings they should offer when they came into the land of Canaan, Nu 15:1-12; and they are told that the same laws and ordinances would be binding equally on them that were of the country, and on the strangers in it, Nu 15:13-16; and an order is given them to offer a cake of the first dough for an heave offering, Nu 15:17-21; and they are directed what sacrifices to offer for sins of ignorance, both of the congregation and particular persons, Nu 14:22-29; but as for presumptuous sinners, they were to be cut off, Nu 14:30,31; and an instance is recorded of stoning a sabbath breaker, Nu 14:32-36; and the chapter is concluded with a law for wearing fringes on the borders of their garments, the use of which is expressed, Nu 14:35-41.

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. Or offering by fire (cf Lev 3:11)
  • [b]. One hin is approximately one gallon.
  • [c]. Or he will present
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