Numbers 15:21-41
This law concerning sins of ignorance, being entirely diverse from one before considered, occasions considerable difficulty. (Le ch. 4.) Some explain that law as relating to sins of commission, this to sins of omission: others explain the one of inadvertent violations of the moral law, and the other of the transgressions of the ceremonial law: and some think that related to the whole nation, this to any one tribe; or that to the bulk of the nation, this to the rulers and elders. The Jews say, that the former law referred to such national transgressions through heedlessness, as consisted with the maintenance of the prescribed worship in the main; but that this especially respected the case of the nation, when through inattention, and the example and authority of wicked rulers, they had turned aside and committed idolatry, or conducted their worship directly contrary to law; yet through a culpable ignorance, and not in presumption. This was evidently the case under several of their kings; and the explanation seems well grounded.
done ............. prepare <06213> [if ought.]
knowledge <05869> [without. Heb. from the eyes. one young bullock.]
grain offering <04503> [with his.]
customary <04941> [manner. or, ordinance. one kid.]
priest <03548> [the priest.]
forgiven ..... unintentional ......................... unintentional <05545 07684> [forgiven them.]
one law <08451 0259> [one law.]
sins <06213> [sinneth. Heb. doeth.]
acts <06213 07311> [doeth ought.]
<07311> [presumptuously. Heb. with an high hand.]
That is, bold, daring, deliberate acts of transgression against the fullest evidence, and in despite of the Divine authority. Such conduct "reproacheth the Lord," as if his commands were needless, unreasonable, and inimical to the happiness of man; his favour were not desirable, or his wrath not to be feared: in short, as if it were more advantageous to rebel against him than to serve him. Such acts admitted of no atonement: the person was condemned to bear his own iniquity, and to be cut off.
insults <01442> [reproacheth.]
despised <0959> [despised.]
iniquity <05771> [his iniquity.]
found ... man <04672 0376> [they found a man.]
This example seems to have been evidently introduced to illustrate the foregoing law. The man despised the word of the Lord, presumptuously broke his commandment, and on this ground was punished with death.
man <0376> [The man.]
stone .... stones <07275 068> [stone him.]
tassels ...... corners ............... tassel .... corners <03671 06734> [fringes in the borders.]
The word {tzitzith} properly denotes an ornament resembling a flower. From ver. 39, we learn that these were emblematical of the commands of God. That there is any analogy between a fringe and a precept, it would be bold to assert; but when a thing is appointed to represent another, no matter how different, that first object becomes the legitimate representative or sign of the other.
remember <02142> [remember.]
follow after ....... own ....... unfaithfulness <08446 0310> [ye seek not.]
unfaithfulness <02181> [go a whoring.]
be holy <06918 01961> [be holy.]
