Numbers 15:35-41

35 Then the LORD said to Moses, “The man must die. The whole assembly must stone him outside the camp.”

36 So the assembly took him outside the camp and stoned him to death, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Tassels on Garments

37 The LORD said to Moses,

38 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel.

39 You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by chasing after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes.

40 Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your God.

41 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am the LORD your God.’ ”

Numbers 15:35-41 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.

Cross References

• 1. Exodus 31:14,15; Deuteronomy 21:21
• 2. S Leviticus 20:2; Leviticus 24:14; Luke 4:29; Acts 7:58
• 3. S Leviticus 20:2
• 4. S Exodus 31:14
• 5. Jeremiah 17:21
• 6. Leviticus 3:17; Numbers 10:8
• 7. Deuteronomy 22:12; Matthew 23:5
• 8. Deuteronomy 4:23; Deuteronomy 6:12; Psalms 73:27
• 9. S Leviticus 17:7; Judges 2:17; Psalms 106:39; Jeremiah 3:2; Hosea 4:12
• 10. Psalms 78:37; Jeremiah 7:24; Ezekiel 20:16
• 11. S Genesis 26:5; Deuteronomy 11:13; Psalms 103:18; Psalms 119:56
• 12. S Leviticus 11:44; Romans 12:1; Colossians 1:22; 1 Peter 1:15
• 13. S Genesis 17:7
• 14. S Exodus 20:2