King James Version

What Does Numbers 15:24 Mean?

Numbers 15:24 in the King James Version says “Then it shall be, if ought be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregatio...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Numbers 15:24 · KJV

Context

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:

26

And it shall be forgiven all the congregation of the children of Israel, and the stranger that sojourneth among them; seeing all the people were in ignorance.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If ought be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation—corporate inadvertent sin required corporate atonement. The phrase "without the knowledge" (me'eyney, מֵעֵינֵי—literally "from the eyes of") means sin committed when the congregation was unaware, either of the act itself or its sinfulness. The prescribed offering—one young bullock for a burnt offering... and one kid of the goats for a sin offering—combined the olah (עֹלָה, burnt offering, wholly consumed) expressing total dedication, with the chattat (חַטָּאת, sin offering) providing atonement.

This dual offering reveals atonement theology: sin required blood purification (chattat) AND renewed consecration to God (olah). The burnt offering's sweet savour unto the LORD (reach nichoach, רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ—literally "aroma of appeasement") indicates God's acceptance, not literal divine smell-pleasure. God graciously accepted symbolic substitution—an animal's life for the sinner's deserved death. This prefigures Christ who offered Himself "for a sweetsmelling savour" (Ephesians 5:2).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Corporate guilt was real in Israel's covenant structure—the whole nation could suffer for communal sin (Achan's sin in Joshua 7). This corporate dimension contrasts with modern individualism. Ancient Near Eastern cultures generally understood collective responsibility more readily than modern Western societies. The sacrificial system's elaborate regulations (detailed in Leviticus 1-7) governed Israel's worship from Sinai through the first temple's destruction (586 BC) and again after the return until AD 70.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the concept of corporate guilt challenge individualistic modern Christianity?
  2. What does the combination of burnt offering and sin offering teach about comprehensive atonement?
  3. How do these typological sacrifices deepen appreciation for Christ's singular, sufficient sacrifice?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וְהָיָ֗ה1 of 24
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

אִ֣ם2 of 24
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

מֵֽעֵינֵ֣י3 of 24

“without the knowledge”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

הָֽעֵדָ֡ה4 of 24

“of the congregation”

H5712

a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)

וְעָשׂ֣וּ5 of 24

“Then it shall be if ought be committed”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לִשְׁגָגָה֒6 of 24

“by ignorance”

H7684

a mistake or inadvertent transgression

וְעָשׂ֣וּ7 of 24

“Then it shall be if ought be committed”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

כָל8 of 24
H3605

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

הָֽעֵדָ֡ה9 of 24

“of the congregation”

H5712

a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)

פַּ֣ר10 of 24

“bullock”

H6499

a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)

בֶּן11 of 24

“young”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

בָּקָר֩12 of 24
H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

אֶחָ֖ד13 of 24

“and one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

לְעֹלָ֜ה14 of 24

“for a burnt offering”

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

לְרֵ֤יחַ15 of 24

“savour”

H7381

odor (as if blown)

נִיחֹ֙חַ֙16 of 24

“for a sweet”

H5207

properly, restful, i.e., pleasant; abstractly, delight

לַֽיהוָ֔ה17 of 24

“unto the LORD”

H3068

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

וּמִנְחָת֥וֹ18 of 24

“with his meat offering”

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

וְנִסְכּ֖וֹ19 of 24

“and his drink offering”

H5262

a libation; also a cast idol

כַּמִּשְׁפָּ֑ט20 of 24

“according to the manner”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

וּשְׂעִיר21 of 24

“kid”

H8163

shaggy; as noun, a he-goat; by analogy, a faun

עִזִּ֥ים22 of 24

“of the goats”

H5795

a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for goat's hair)

אֶחָ֖ד23 of 24

“and one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

לְחַטָּֽת׃24 of 24

“for a sin offering”

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

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 15:24 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 15:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 4:23Leviticus 4:13-21Numbers 15:8-10Leviticus 5:15Numbers 28:152 Chronicles 29:21-24

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