Numbers 15:34

34 They put him in custody, because it was not clear what should be done to him.

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 When the Israelites were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the sabbath day.

33 Those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses, Aaron, and to the whole congregation.

34 They put him in custody, because it was not clear what should be done to him.

35 Then the Lord said to Moses, "The man shall be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him outside the camp."

36 The whole congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him to death, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.