Numbers 15:22

Offerings for Sins That Aren't Committed on Purpose

22 " 'Suppose you fail to keep any of the commands the LORD gave Moses. And suppose you do it without meaning to.

Numbers 15:22 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 15:22

And if ye have erred
Gone astray from the law of God, and any of its precepts; every sin is an error, a missing of the mark, a wandering from the way of God's commandments. Jarchi, and the Jews in general, interpret this of idolatry, but it rather respects any deviation from the law, moral or ceremonial, especially the latter:

and not observed all these commandments which the Lord hath spoken
unto Moses;
in this chapter, more particularly concerning the meat offerings and drink offerings, and the quantity of them, to be brought along with their burnt offerings and peace offerings, and concerning the cake of the first dough to be heaved before the Lord and given to the priest.

Numbers 15:22 In-Context

20 Bring a loaf that is made from the first flour you grind. Give it as an offering from the threshing floor.

21 You must bring the offering to the Lord. You must give it from the first grain you grind. You must do it for all time to come.

22 " 'Suppose you fail to keep any of the commands the LORD gave Moses. And suppose you do it without meaning to.

23 That applies to any of the commands the LORD told Moses to give you. And they are in effect from the day the LORD gave them and for all time to come.

24 Suppose the community sins without meaning to. And suppose they do not know they have sinned. Then the whole community must offer a young bull. They must offer it for a burnt offering. It will give a smell that is pleasant to the Lord. Along with it, they must offer its required grain offering and drink offering. They must also offer a male goat for a sin offering.