Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 15:24
Then it shall be, if [aught] be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt offering, for a sweet savor unto the LORD, with his meat offering, and his drink offering, according to the manner, and one kid of the goats for a sin offering.
24. The offering is a young bullock for a burnt-offering, together with the proper meal-offering and libation, and a he-goat for a sin offering.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 24. If aught be committed by ignorance] See Clarke on Le 4:2, and “Le 5:17“. The case here probably refers to the whole congregation; the cases above, to the sin of an individual.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
In Le 4 the bullock is for a sin-offering, here it is for a burnt-offering, either because they are different laws, as hath been said; or because here is added a new penalty, to breed the greater caution and diligence in the Israelites, who had given many instances, and now a fresh and eminent instance, of their heedlessness in observing the commands of God; and so, besides that bullock for a sin-offering, which he leaves to be gathered out of Lev 4:11, he now requires another bullock for a burnt-offering.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
24-26. if aught be committed byignoranceThe Mosaic ritual was complicated, and the ceremoniesto be gone through in the various instances of purification which arespecified, would expose a worshipper, through ignorance, to the riskof omitting or neglecting some of them. This law includes thestranger in the number of those for whom the sacrifice was offeredfor the sin of general ignorance.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
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 Le 4:13; 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,
Nu 15:9;
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.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(24) By ignorance.The word shegagah is used to denote transgressions committed unwittingly in contrast to sins committed presumptuously (Num. 15:30). (See Lev. 4:2 and Note.) Provision had already been made in Leviticus 4 for sins of commission committed unwittingly by the whole congregation, but no provision appears to have been made for the guilt contracted in the case of sins of omission. It is possible, also, that in this place transgressions committed by an individual, but affecting the whole of the congregation, may be included. In Lev. 4:14 a young bullock is appointed as a sin offering; in the present case a young bullock is appointed for a burnt offering and a kid of the goats for a sin offering. It must be remembered, moreover, that the commandments delivered in this chapter have express reference to the land of Canaan, whereas many of the commandments previously delivered had already become obligatory.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
24. Without the knowledge Hebrew, away from the eyes of the congregation. How the whole nation could be ignorantly delinquent it is difficult to discover. Outram supposes that it was done “by retaining to a certain extent the national rites, and following the worship of the true God, and yet at the same time acting unconsciously in opposition to the law through having been led astray by some common errors.” Others explain it as the neglect of religious duties through the example of godless rulers who adopted pagan customs apparently reconcilable with Mosaism but really repugnant to its spirit.
For a burnt offering This is mentioned first, since it is the principal sacrifice. But in the order of time the sin offering was first offered, since sin must be expiated before the sinner can consecrate himself wholly, and be entirely sanctified. In this comment Keil concurs, forgetful of his declaration elsewhere that there is no prescribed order when two or more sacrifices were offered together. See Introd. to Leviticus (5.)
Sin offering In Mosaism the killing of the animal is by the offerer and not by the priest, unless he be the offerer. Comp. Lev 1:5; Lev 4:3-4. If the slaughter were really an act of atonement it would probably take place on the altar itself, and not by its side. “The priestly function begins not with the shedding but with the use of the blood.” Oehler. “The blood (of Christ) itself, not the shedding of the blood, is the ransom, the price of eternal redemption.” Bengel. See Leviticus iv, notes.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Num 15:24. Then it shall be, &c. See Lev 13:21 where the law, as it is generally thought, relates to trespasses of commission, as here to those of omission. See Calmet and Outram de Sacrif.
REFLECTIONS.We have here the sacrifices for sins of ignorance, 1. Of the whole congregation: 2. Of a private person. Sin must be atoned for, or it would destroy us. The blood of Christ cleanseth from all sins, not only from those which we feel and lament, but those also that through our blindness we cannot see. Indeed, who can understand all his errors? Lord, cleanse thou me from my secret faults!
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Num 15:24 Then it shall be, if [ought] be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour unto the LORD, with his meat offering, and his drink offering, according to the manner, and one kid of the goats for a sin offering.
Ver. 24. By ignorance. ] Or, Infirmity; incogitancy; inadvertency. For such there is a pardon, of course, ready sealed by God in Christ: else we might die in our sins, while the pardon is providing.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
if ought: Lev 4:13
without: Heb. from the eyes
one young bullock: Lev 4:14-21
with his: Num 15:8-10
manner: or, ordinance
one kid: Num 28:15, Lev 4:23, 2Ch 29:21-24, Ezr 6:17, Ezr 8:35
Reciprocal: Exo 29:40 – a drink Lev 23:19 – one kid Num 28:2 – for a sweet savour unto me Num 28:30 – General Num 29:6 – according Act 3:17 – through