Numbers 15:24

24 then, if it was done by mistake by the community and was not known to them, the whole community is to offer one young bull for a burnt offering as a fragrant aroma to ADONAI, with its grain and drink offerings, in keeping with the rule, and one male goat as a sin offering.

Numbers 15:24 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 15:24

Then it shall be, if [ought] be committed by ignorance
Of the law of God, not clearly understanding the meaning of it, or not knowing of the several precepts of it, and the circumstances of each, and the manner of performing obedience thereunto:

without the knowledge of the congregation;
or they being ignorant of the true intent of the law and form of obeying it; for this is to be understood not of the sin of a private person through ignorance, but of the body of the people; or of a congregation of them in some particular place, ignorantly and unawares falling into idolatry, or rather into a breach of any of the laws of God, moral or ceremonial:

that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt
offering, for a sweet savour unto the Lord;
as an acceptable sacrifice to him; by which it appears that this law is different from that in ( Leviticus 4:13-21 ) ; since the bullock there was for a sin offering, this for a burnt offering; and besides another creature was to be for a sin offering, as after expressed:

with his meat offering and his drink offering, according to the
manner;
a meat offering, consisting of such a quantity of flour and oil, and a drink offering of such a quantity of wine as directed to, ( Numbers 15:9 Numbers 15:10 ) ;

and one kid of the goats for a sin offering;
which though mentioned last was offered first, as an expiatory sacrifice for sin, typical of Christ, who was made an offering for sin, and then the burnt offering by way of thankfulness for the acceptance of the other.

Numbers 15:24 In-Context

22 "'If by mistake you fail to observe all these mitzvot that ADONAI has spoken to Moshe,

23 yes, everything that ADONAI has ordered you to do through Moshe, from the day ADONAI gave the order and onward through all your generations,

24 then, if it was done by mistake by the community and was not known to them, the whole community is to offer one young bull for a burnt offering as a fragrant aroma to ADONAI, with its grain and drink offerings, in keeping with the rule, and one male goat as a sin offering.

25 The cohen is to make atonement for the whole community of the people of Isra'el; and they will be forgiven; because it was a mistake; and they have brought their offering, an offering made by fire, to ADONAI, and their sin offering before ADONAI for their mistake.

26 The whole community of the people of Isra'el will be forgiven, likewise the foreigner staying with them; because for all the people it was a mistake.