King James Version

What Does Numbers 15:35 Mean?

Numbers 15:35 in the King James Version says “And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones wit... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.

Numbers 15:35 · KJV


Context

33

And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation.

34

And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him.

35

And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.

36

And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses.

37

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God commanded execution by stoning—the community's collective participation symbolized that his sin offended all and required corporate response. Stoning also prevented any individual from bearing sole responsibility for the death, distributing the burden across the community. The severity matched the crime's serious nature: public, willful covenant violation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Stoning was the prescribed punishment for various covenant violations including blasphemy (Leviticus 24:16), idolatry (Deuteronomy 17:5), and rebellion (Deuteronomy 21:21). It served both as punishment and as solemn warning to all Israel about the cost of presumptuous sin.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does church discipline today reflect the principle that sin affects the whole body?
  2. What does God's holiness require in response to willful, unrepentant sin?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 14

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָה֙2 of 14

And the LORD

H3068

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

אֶל3 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֹשֶׁ֔ה4 of 14

unto Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

יוּמַ֖ת5 of 14

put to death

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

יוּמַ֖ת6 of 14

put to death

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

הָאִ֑ישׁ7 of 14

The man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

רָג֨וֹם8 of 14

shall stone

H7275

to cast together (stones), i.e., to lapidate

אֹת֤וֹ9 of 14
H853

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

בָֽאֲבָנִים֙10 of 14

him with stones

H68

a stone

כָּל11 of 14
H3605

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

הָ֣עֵדָ֔ה12 of 14

all the congregation

H5712

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

מִח֖וּץ13 of 14

without

H2351

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

לַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃14 of 14

the camp

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e


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 15:35 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 15:35 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study