King James Version

What Does Numbers 15:23 Mean?

Numbers 15:23 in the King James Version says “Even all that the LORD hath commanded you by the hand of Moses, from the day that the LORD commanded Moses, and hencefor...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Even all that the LORD hath commanded you by the hand of Moses, from the day that the LORD commanded Moses, and henceforward among your generations;”

Numbers 15:23 · KJV

Context

21

Of the first of your dough ye shall give unto the LORD an heave offering in your generations.

22

And if ye have erred, and not observed all these commandments, which the LORD hath spoken unto Moses,

23

Even all that the LORD hath commanded you by the hand of Moses, from the day that the LORD commanded Moses, and henceforward among your generations;

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. without: Heb. from the eyes manner: or, ordinance

25

And the priest shall make an atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel, and it shall be forgiven them; for it is ignorance: and they shall bring their offering, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD, and their sin offering before the LORD, for their ignorance:

Read Numbers 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Even all that the LORD hath commanded you by the hand of Moses—this phrase emphasizes the comprehensive scope of law. "All that the LORD hath commanded" includes ceremonial, civil, and moral regulations given "from the day that the LORD commanded Moses, and henceforward among your generations." The mediation of Moses (beyad-Moshe, בְּיַד־מֹשֶׁה—literally "by the hand of Moses") establishes his unique prophetic authority as lawgiver.

The temporal scope—"from the day that the LORD commanded... and henceforward"—makes these regulations perpetually binding until fulfillment in Christ. Israel couldn't claim ignorance: God had revealed His will comprehensively through Moses. Paul later writes that the law served as paidagogos (παιδαγωγός, "schoolmaster") to lead to Christ (Galatians 3:24). The law's comprehensive demands showed humanity's need for a greater sacrifice than bulls and goats could provide.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Moses received the law at Sinai (Exodus 19-40), supplemented by regulations at various points in the wilderness. This verse in Numbers 15 (approximately 1444 BC) references the entire Mosaic corpus to that point. The formula "by the hand of Moses" occurs frequently in the Pentateuch, emphasizing his unique prophetic role. Deuteronomy 34:10 concludes: "there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face." Jesus's superiority to Moses (Hebrews 3:1-6) was therefore a radical claim.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the law's comprehensive nature demonstrate the impossibility of self-salvation through perfect obedience?
  2. What does Moses's unique mediatorial role teach about Christ as superior mediator of a better covenant?
  3. How should Christians view the Mosaic law's ongoing authority after Christ's fulfillment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
אֵת֩1 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל2 of 15
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר3 of 15
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

צִוָּ֧ה4 of 15

“commanded”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

יְהוָ֛ה5 of 15

“Even all that the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֲלֵיכֶ֖ם6 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְּיַד7 of 15

“you by the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

מֹשֶׁ֑ה8 of 15

“of Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

מִן9 of 15
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַיּ֞וֹם10 of 15

“from the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

אֲשֶׁ֨ר11 of 15
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

צִוָּ֧ה12 of 15

“commanded”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

יְהוָ֛ה13 of 15

“Even all that the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וָהָ֖לְאָה14 of 15

“Moses and henceforward”

H1973

to the distance, i.e., far away; also (of time) thus far

לְדֹרֹֽתֵיכֶֽם׃15 of 15

“among your generations”

H1755

properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 15:23 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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