Numbers 15:2

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land of your habitations, which I give unto you,

Speak {H1696} unto the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, and say {H559} unto them, When ye be come {H935} into the land {H776} of your habitations {H4186}, which I give {H5414} unto you,

"Tell the people of Isra'el, 'When you have come into the land where you are going to live, which I am giving to you,

“Speak to the Israelites and tell them: After you enter the land that I am giving you as a home

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye are come into the land of your habitations, which I give unto you,

Commentary

Context

Numbers 15:2 introduces a new set of divine instructions given to the Israelites while they were still in the wilderness, specifically after the severe judgment for their rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea (Numbers 14). This verse initiates laws concerning offerings and sacrifices that would apply after they had entered and settled in the Promised Land. The very act of giving these future-oriented commands served as a powerful reminder of God's enduring faithfulness and His intention to bring them into the land, despite the failures and impending death of the rebellious generation. It provided hope and a practical blueprint for the new generation's worship and communal life in their future inheritance.

Key Themes

  • Divine Promise and Faithfulness: The phrase "which I give unto you" powerfully underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Despite Israel's disobedience and the wilderness wanderings, God's promise of the land remained steadfast. This highlights God's character as a covenant-keeping God, whose word is reliable.
  • Future Hope and Preparation: Though spoken in the wilderness, these commands look forward to a time of settled habitation. They serve as a blueprint for worship and community life once the Israelites possess their inheritance, emphasizing that their future well-being and continued enjoyment of the land are tied to their obedience to God's statutes.
  • God's Gift and Human Responsibility: The land is explicitly stated as a gift from God. This emphasizes His sovereignty and grace. However, the subsequent laws imply that living successfully and prosperously in this gifted land requires the Israelites to fulfill their responsibilities, particularly concerning worship and moral conduct.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "land of your habitations" (Hebrew: אֶרֶץ מוֹשְׁבֹתֵיכֶם, 'eretz moshvoteichem) emphasizes the intended permanence and stability of the dwelling places God was giving them, a stark contrast to their nomadic wilderness journey. The word "give" (נָתַן, natan) highlights the gratuitous nature of the land—it was a divine bestowal, not something earned by conquest or merit alone. This underlines the concept of grace central to God's dealings with Israel.

Practical Application

Numbers 15:2 offers a profound lesson for believers today. It reminds us that God's promises are sure, even when our present circumstances are challenging or when we have fallen short. Just as Israel was given laws for their future dwelling, we are called to live with a future-oriented faith, preparing ourselves for the spiritual inheritance and responsibilities God has for us. This verse encourages us to trust in God's provision and faithfulness, knowing that His ultimate plans for us will prevail, and that our obedience is crucial to experiencing the fullness of His blessings in the "land" He has placed us.

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Cross-References

  • Leviticus 23:10

    Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:

  • Numbers 15:18

    Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land whither I bring you,

  • Leviticus 25:2

    Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a sabbath unto the LORD.

  • Deuteronomy 12:1

    ¶ These [are] the statutes and judgments, which ye shall observe to do in the land, which the LORD God of thy fathers giveth thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth.

  • Deuteronomy 7:1

    ¶ When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;

  • Deuteronomy 7:2

    And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, [and] utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:

  • Deuteronomy 12:9

    For ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which the LORD your God giveth you.
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