Numbers 15:27

KJV

And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering.

KJV (with Strong's)

And if any {H259} soul {H5315} sin {H2398} through ignorance {H7684}, then he shall bring {H7126} a she goat {H5795} of the first {H1323} year {H8141} for a sin offering {H2403}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'If an individual sins by mistake, he is to offer a female goat in its first year as a sin offering.

Berean Standard Bible

Also, if one person sins unintentionally, he is to present a year-old female goat as a sin offering.

American Standard Version

And if one person sin unwittingly, then he shall offer a she-goat a year old for a sin-offering.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 15:27 outlines the specific provision within the Mosaic Law for an individual Israelite who commits a sin unintentionally or "through ignorance." It mandates the offering of a she-goat of the first year as a sin offering, underscoring the comprehensive nature of God's holy requirements and His gracious provision for atonement, even for transgressions not committed with deliberate defiance. This regulation highlights the pervasive impact of sin and the meticulous care with which God established pathways for His people to maintain ritual purity and fellowship with Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 15:27 is situated within a larger block of legislation (Numbers 15:1-31) that details various laws concerning offerings, vows, and purification rituals. This chapter follows directly after the traumatic rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea and the subsequent judgment, which resulted in the wilderness wandering. The laws in chapter 15, particularly those concerning offerings, are presented as provisions for the Israelites *after* they enter the Promised Land, signaling a future of settled worship and ongoing relationship with God. Crucially, this section distinguishes between unintentional sins (addressed in verses 22-29) and presumptuous, high-handed sins (verses 30-31), for which there was no animal sacrifice and the offender was to be "cut off" from the community. Numbers 15:27 specifically addresses the individual's unintentional sin, complementing the provision for the entire congregation's unintentional sin found in [Numbers 15:24](/numbers/15-24 "Numbers 15:24 - Unintentional Sin of the Congregation").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The giving of these laws occurs during the Israelites' forty-year sojourn in the wilderness, a period of divine discipline and preparation for nationhood. The sacrificial system, central to Israelite worship, was God's divinely ordained means for dealing with sin and maintaining covenant relationship. In a culture where ritual purity was paramount and sin was understood as a defilement that separated individuals and the community from a holy God, detailed instructions for atonement were essential. The tabernacle, as God's dwelling place among His people, served as the focal point for these rituals. The concept of "ignorance" (שְׁגָגָה, _sh'gagah_) was critical; it acknowledged human fallibility and the possibility of transgressing God's commands without malicious intent, yet still requiring a means of reconciliation. This contrasts sharply with the deliberate, defiant sins that challenged God's authority directly, as seen in [Numbers 15:30-31](/numbers/15-30 "Numbers 15:30-31 - Presumptuous Sin").
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes. Firstly, it underscores **the pervasive nature and seriousness of all sin**, even those committed unknowingly. Sin is not merely a conscious act of rebellion but any deviation from God's perfect standard, highlighting the need for divine intervention. Secondly, it powerfully illustrates **God's meticulous provision for atonement and restoration**. The sacrificial system, though complex, offered a tangible pathway for individuals to be cleansed and reconciled with God, revealing His desire for ongoing fellowship with His people despite their imperfections. This specific offering for an individual's unintentional sin mirrors the broader provisions for sin offerings detailed in [Leviticus 4](/leviticus/4 "Leviticus 4 - The Sin Offering"), demonstrating a consistent divine principle. Thirdly, it reinforces **the meticulousness and comprehensive scope of the Mosaic Law**, which addressed virtually every aspect of Israelite life, including various categories of transgression, ensuring that no sin went unaddressed and that the people understood the sanctity required for dwelling in God's presence.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ignorance (Hebrew, _sh'gagah_):** This term (שְׁגָגָה) refers to an unintentional sin, an error, inadvertence, or a mistake. It implies a transgression committed without premeditation, malice, or defiant intent. This could be due to carelessness, a lack of awareness of the law, a misunderstanding, or an oversight. It is distinct from deliberate, "high-handed" sin (בְּיָד רָמָה, _b'yad ramah_), which was a defiant act against God's known commands and for which no animal sacrifice was prescribed. The concept of _sh'gagah_ highlights God's mercy in providing a means of atonement for human frailty and imperfection, where intent was not malicious.
* **Sin Offering (Hebrew, _chatta't_):** The term _chatta't_ (חַטָּאת) literally means "missing the mark" or "to err." In the context of the sacrificial system, it refers to a specific type of offering designed to atone for sin and to cleanse the offender from ritual impurity, thereby restoring them to a state of right standing and fellowship with God and the community. The _chatta't_ was not primarily about guilt for a specific act but about the defilement that sin caused, requiring purification and reconciliation. The "she goat of the first year" was a common and accessible animal for such an offering, indicating that this provision was available to the common Israelite.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if any soul sin through ignorance":** This clause establishes the condition for the offering. "Any soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, _nephesh_) refers to any individual person in the community. The crucial qualifier "through ignorance" (בִּשְׁגָגָה, _bish'gagah_) specifies that the sin was unintentional, not a deliberate act of rebellion or defiance. This highlights God's nuanced understanding of human culpability and His distinction between different categories of sin.
* **"then he shall bring a she goat of the first year":** This specifies the required offering. The "she goat" (עֵז, _'ez_) was a common and relatively affordable animal, making this provision accessible to most Israelites. The phrase "of the first year" (בַּת שְׁנָתָהּ, _bat sh'natah_) denotes a young, unblemished animal, signifying purity and value, a fit sacrifice for God. The act of "bringing" (הֵבִיא, _hevi'_) implies the individual's active participation in the atonement process, acknowledging their transgression and seeking reconciliation.
* **"for a sin offering":** This final phrase clearly states the purpose of the sacrifice. It is a _chatta't_, an offering specifically designed to atone for sin and cleanse from impurity. This underscores the theological truth that sin, even when unintentional, requires a divine remedy and that God Himself provides the means for reconciliation through the sacrificial system.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 15:27 primarily employs **Legal Language** and **Prescriptive Instruction**. The verse is part of a larger legislative code, characterized by its precise and authoritative directives. The use of "if... then" (`וְכִי... וְהֵבִיא`) establishes a clear conditional clause, typical of ancient Near Eastern law codes, outlining the specific circumstances and the required response. This structure emphasizes the divine authority behind the commands and the non-negotiable nature of the stipulated actions. The detailed specification of the animal ("a she goat of the first year") is an example of **Meticulous Detail**, reflecting the comprehensive and precise nature of the Mosaic Law, leaving no ambiguity regarding the required sacrifice. The verse also functions as a **Type** or **Shadow**, pointing forward to a greater reality, specifically the ultimate sacrifice for sin, which is a common theological understanding of Old Testament sacrificial laws.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 15:27 profoundly reveals God's character as both holy and merciful. While His holiness demands that all sin, even unintentional, be addressed, His mercy provides a pathway for atonement and restoration. This system of sacrifice, though temporary, taught Israel about the gravity of sin, the necessity of shedding blood for atonement, and God's gracious initiative in providing reconciliation. It underscored that sin creates a breach in the relationship with a holy God, and only a divinely appointed means can bridge that gap. The meticulous nature of the law also demonstrated that God desires His people to live in purity and fellowship, providing clear instructions for how to return to Him when they inevitably fall short.

* [Leviticus 4:27-31](/leviticus/4-27 "Leviticus 4:27-31 - Sin Offering for a Common Person")
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without Shedding of Blood There Is No Forgiveness")
* [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 15:27, though rooted in ancient Israelite legal and ritual contexts, carries profound implications for believers today. It serves as a stark reminder that sin's defiling power extends beyond our conscious awareness or malicious intent. We are often unaware of how our actions, words, or even thoughts fall short of God's perfect standard, highlighting our inherent human frailty and the pervasive nature of sin. This verse cultivates humility, prompting us to acknowledge our constant need for God's grace and forgiveness, even for the "blind spots" in our lives. It encourages a posture of ongoing repentance and reliance on Christ's finished work, rather than self-righteousness. For us, the "she goat" is no longer needed; instead, we look to the perfect Lamb of God. This understanding should lead to deeper appreciation for the comprehensive nature of Christ's atonement, which covers all our sins—known and unknown, intentional and unintentional—and fosters a greater desire to walk in holiness, guided by the Holy Spirit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "unintentional sin" challenge my understanding of sin as merely conscious rebellion?**
* **What does God's provision for unintentional sin reveal about His character and His desire for relationship with His people?**
* **In what ways might I be committing "sins of ignorance" today, and how does this verse prompt me to rely more fully on Christ's atonement?**
* **How does understanding the Old Testament sacrificial system deepen my appreciation for the completeness of Jesus' sacrifice?**

### FAQ
**Why did God require a sacrifice for sins committed "through ignorance"? Didn't He know they didn't mean to sin?**

Answer: God absolutely knew when sins were committed unintentionally. The requirement for a sacrifice for "sins of ignorance" (שְׁגָגָה, _sh'gagah_) highlights a crucial theological principle: sin, regardless of intent, defiles and separates from a holy God. It's not merely about conscious rebellion, but about falling short of God's perfect standard and holiness. The sacrificial system wasn't just about punishing deliberate wrongdoing; it was primarily about purification and reconciliation, providing a means to cleanse the individual and the community from the defilement of sin, thereby restoring their relationship with God. This meticulous provision demonstrated God's absolute holiness, His hatred of all sin, and His gracious desire to provide a pathway for His people to remain in fellowship with Him, even in their human weakness and imperfection. It taught Israel that even unknown transgressions had consequences and required divine remedy, pointing to the ultimate need for a perfect atonement.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 15:27, with its provision for unintentional sin through the sacrifice of a she-goat, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sacrificial system, including the specific sin offering, served as a "shadow" pointing to the "substance" found in Christ (see [Colossians 2:17](/colossians/2-17 "Colossians 2:17 - Shadow and Reality")). While the Israelite brought an animal to atone for a specific, unintentional transgression, Jesus, the perfect [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offered Himself "once for all" (see [Hebrews 7:27](/hebrews/7-27 "Hebrews 7:27 - Christ's Single Sacrifice")). His sacrifice on the cross was not merely for our known, intentional sins, but also for the countless "sins of ignorance"—the ways we fall short, transgress, or fail to meet God's standard without even realizing it (see [Hebrews 9:7](/hebrews/9-7 "Hebrews 9:7 - The High Priest's Annual Sacrifice")). Just as the Old Covenant sacrifice cleansed from ritual impurity, Christ's blood purifies our consciences from dead works to serve the living God (see [Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood")). He fully satisfied the demands of God's holiness for all sin, intentional or unintentional, providing complete and eternal redemption for all who believe (see [Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 4:27

¶ And if any one of the common people sin through ignorance, while he doeth [somewhat against] any of the commandments of the LORD [concerning things] which ought not to be done, and be guilty;

Leviticus 4:28

Or if his sin, which he hath sinned, come to his knowledge: then he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a female without blemish, for his sin which he hath sinned.

Acts 17:30

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

Acts 3:17

And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did [it], as [did] also your rulers.

1 Timothy 1:13

Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did [it] ignorantly in unbelief.