King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.
Complete Jewish Bible:
The same Torah and standard of judgment will apply to both you and the foreigner living with you.'"
Berean Standard Bible:
The same law and the same ordinance will apply both to you and to the foreigner residing with you.”
American Standard Version:
One law and one ordinance shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
One{H259} law{H8451} and one{H259} manner{H4941} shall be for you, and for the stranger{H1616} that sojourneth{H1481} with you.
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Numbers 15:16
Numbers 15:16 is a verse that emphasizes the unity of religious practice within the Israelite community, as well as the inclusion of the "stranger" or foreigner living among them. This verse is part of a larger section in the Book of Numbers that deals with various laws and regulations given to the Israelites by God through Moses. The historical context of this verse is the period after the Exodus from Egypt, when the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land.
The theme of the verse is equality before the law, particularly in the context of worship and sacrifice. It declares that there should be "one law and one manner" for both the native-born Israelite and the foreigner residing among them. This indicates that the same religious obligations and rituals applied to everyone within the community, regardless of their origin. The verse reflects God's command for inclusivity and justice, ensuring that the foreigner, often in a vulnerable position, is treated equally and is subject to the same laws as the Israelites.
In a broader sense, this verse speaks to the universal aspect of God's law, which is to be applied fairly and consistently to all people. It also prefigures the New Testament emphasis on the equality of all people before God, as seen in the teachings of Jesus and the early Christian community's outreach to Gentiles. The principle of "one law" for all would later be significant in the development of Judeo-Christian ethics and the concept of a community bound by a shared commitment to divine law.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H259
There are 801 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶחָד
Transliteration: ʼechâd
Pronunciation: ekh-awd'
Description: a numeral from אָחַד; properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first; a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, - Strong's Number: H8451
There are 213 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תּוֹרָה
Transliteration: tôwrâh
Pronunciation: to-raw'
Description: or תֹּרָה; from יָרָה; a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch; law. - Strong's Number: H4941
There are 406 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִשְׁפָּט
Transliteration: mishpâṭ
Pronunciation: mish-pawt'
Description: from שָׁפַט; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style; [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong. - Strong's Number: H1616
There are 83 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גֵּר
Transliteration: gêr
Pronunciation: gare
Description: or (fully) geyr (gare); from גּוּר; properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner; alien, sojourner, stranger. - Strong's Number: H1481
There are 94 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גּוּר
Transliteration: gûwr
Pronunciation: goor
Description: a primitive root; properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place); also to gather forhostility (as afraid); abide, assemble, be afraid, dwell, fear, gather (together), inhabitant, remain, sojourn, stand in awe, (be) stranger, [idiom] surely.