King James Version

What Does Numbers 15:36 Mean?

Numbers 15:36 in the King James Version says “And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Mo... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Numbers 15:36 · KJV


Context

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,

38

Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The congregation executed God's command 'as the LORD commanded Moses.' Their obedience demonstrated submission to divine authority even when the judgment was difficult. This wasn't mob violence but ordered justice, fulfilling covenant obligations. The man's death preserved Israel's holiness and served as perpetual warning against presuming on God's grace.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This execution occurred in the wilderness, witnessed by the entire camp. The public nature ensured maximum teaching effect: God's commands were serious, His holiness inviolable, and presumptuous sin deadly. This event stood as warning throughout Israel's subsequent history.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you balance God's mercy with His holiness and justice?
  2. What warnings from Scripture do you tend to minimize or ignore?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיֹּצִ֨יאוּ1 of 16

brought

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

אֹת֜וֹ2 of 16
H853

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

כָּל3 of 16
H3605

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

הָֽעֵדָ֗ה4 of 16

And all the congregation

H5712

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

אֶל5 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מִחוּץ֙6 of 16

him without

H2351

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

לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה7 of 16

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

וַיִּרְגְּמ֥וּ8 of 16

and stoned

H7275

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

אֹת֛וֹ9 of 16
H853

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

בָּֽאֲבָנִ֖ים10 of 16

him with stones

H68

a stone

וַיָּמֹ֑ת11 of 16

and he died

H4191

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

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר12 of 16
H834

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

צִוָּ֥ה13 of 16

commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

יְהוָ֖ה14 of 16

as the LORD

H3068

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

אֶת15 of 16
H853

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

מֹשֶֽׁה׃16 of 16

Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver


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 15:36 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 15:36 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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