Numbers 15:34

34 and because it had not been declared what should be done to him, they placed him in custody.

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 While the Israelites were in the wilderness, a man was found gathering wood on the Sabbath day.

33 Those who found the man gathering wood brought him to Moses, Aaron, and the whole congregation,

34 and because it had not been declared what should be done to him, they placed him in custody.

35 And the LORD said to Moses, “The man must surely be put to death. The whole congregation is to stone him outside the camp.”

36 So the whole congregation took the man outside the camp and stoned him to death, as the LORD had commanded Moses.