King James Version

What Does Numbers 15:25 Mean?

Numbers 15:25 in the King James Version says “And the priest shall make an atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel, and it shall be forgiven them...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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:”

Numbers 15:25 · KJV

Forgiveness

Context

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.

27

And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering.

Read Numbers 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the priest shall make an atonement for all the congregation—the verb "make atonement" (kipper, כִּפֶּר) literally means "to cover" or "to wipe away." The priest's mediatorial action covered the congregation's sin, restoring right relationship with God. The assured result—and it shall be forgiven them—demonstrates that God graciously accepted the prescribed atonement. The reason given—for it is ignorance—shows God distinguished between inadvertent and willful transgression.

The required offerings—a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD, and their sin offering before the LORD, for their ignorance—combined fire offerings (isheh, אִשֶּׁה, offerings consumed by fire) with the chattat (sin offering). The repetition of "unto the LORD" and "before the LORD" emphasizes these offerings' God-ward direction. The priest represented the people before God, and represented God to the people—mediating reconciliation. This typologically points to Christ our great High Priest who "ever liveth to make intercession" (Hebrews 7:25).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Aaronic priesthood functioned from Sinai (approximately 1445 BC) through the first temple period (586 BC), resumed after the exile, and continued until AD 70 when Rome destroyed Herod's temple. After AD 70, Judaism had to reconceptualize atonement without temple or priesthood, leading to emphasis on prayer, repentance, and good works. Christianity understood Christ's death as the ultimate fulfillment rendering the levitical system obsolete (Hebrews 8-10). The Dead Sea Scrolls show Second Temple Jews deeply concerned with proper atonement rituals.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the priest's mediatorial role illuminate Christ's superior high priesthood?
  2. What does God's provision of atonement for inadvertent sin reveal about His character?
  3. How should the assurance "it shall be forgiven" shape your confidence in Christ's atonement?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וְכִפֶּ֣ר1 of 23

“shall make an atonement”

H3722

to cover (specifically with bitumen)

הַכֹּהֵ֗ן2 of 23

“And the priest”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

עַֽל3 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּל4 of 23
H3605

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

עֲדַ֛ת5 of 23

“for all the congregation”

H5712

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

בְּנֵ֥י6 of 23

“of the children”

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל7 of 23

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְנִסְלַ֣ח8 of 23

“and it shall be forgiven”

H5545

to forgive

לָהֶ֑ם9 of 23
H0
כִּֽי10 of 23
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

שִׁגְגָתָֽם׃11 of 23

“for their ignorance”

H7684

a mistake or inadvertent transgression

הִ֔וא12 of 23
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וְהֵם֩13 of 23
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

הֵבִ֨יאוּ14 of 23

“and they shall bring”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶת15 of 23
H853

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

קָרְבָּנָ֜ם16 of 23

“their offering”

H7133

something brought near the altar, i.e., a sacrificial present

אִשֶּׁ֣ה17 of 23

“a sacrifice made by fire”

H801

properly, a burnt-offering; but occasionally of any sacrifice

יְהוָ֖ה18 of 23

“the LORD”

H3068

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

וְחַטָּאתָ֛ם19 of 23

“and their sin offering”

H2403

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

לִפְנֵ֥י20 of 23

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֖ה21 of 23

“the LORD”

H3068

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

עַל22 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

שִׁגְגָתָֽם׃23 of 23

“for their ignorance”

H7684

a mistake or inadvertent transgression

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 15:25 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 15:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 4:20Romans 3:25Hebrews 2:171 John 2:2Leviticus 4:26Luke 23:34

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