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Numbers 15:24

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Then it shall be, if [ought] be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour unto the LORD, with his meat offering, and his drink offering, according to the manner, and one kid of the goats for a sin offering.

Then it shall be, if ought be committed {H6213} by ignorance {H7684} without the knowledge {H5869} of the congregation {H5712}, that all the congregation {H5712} shall offer {H6213} one {H259} young {H1121}{H1241} bullock {H6499} for a burnt offering {H5930}, for a sweet {H5207} savour {H7381} unto the LORD {H3068}, with his meat offering {H4503}, and his drink offering {H5262}, according to the manner {H4941}, and one {H259} kid {H8163} of the goats {H5795} for a sin offering {H2403}.

then, if it was done by mistake by the community and was not known to them, the whole community is to offer one young bull for a burnt offering as a fragrant aroma to ADONAI, with its grain and drink offerings, in keeping with the rule, and one male goat as a sin offering.

and if it was done unintentionally without the knowledge of the congregation, then the whole congregation is to prepare one young bull as a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD, with its grain offering and drink offering according to the regulation, and one male goat as a sin offering.

then it shall be, if it be done unwittingly, without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt-offering, for a sweet savor unto Jehovah, with the meal-offering thereof, and the drink-offering thereof, according to the ordinance, and one he-goat for a sin-offering.

Commentary

Numbers 15:24 outlines the sacrificial procedure for sins committed by the entire congregation inadvertently or in ignorance. This verse is part of a larger section (Numbers 15:22-31) detailing the offerings required for unintentional transgressions, distinguishing between individual and communal sins, and emphasizing the severity of deliberate, high-handed sin.

Context

Following the rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea and the subsequent forty-year wilderness wandering, God re-establishes laws and rituals for the Israelites, preparing them for life in the Promised Land. Numbers 15 focuses on various laws concerning offerings, vows, and the tassels on garments. Verses 22-29 specifically address unintentional sins committed against the commandments of the LORD. This particular verse, Numbers 15:24, deals with a scenario where the entire community, through ignorance, collectively violates a divine command. It underscores the principle that even unknown or forgotten transgressions require atonement, highlighting God's holiness and the need for purity within the covenant community.

Key Themes

  • Corporate Responsibility: The verse emphasizes that the entire congregation bears responsibility for sins committed unknowingly, even if they were unaware of the transgression. This highlights the communal nature of the Israelite covenant and shared accountability before God, reminding us of the collective impact of actions within a community.
  • Atonement for Unintentional Sin: God provides a means for atonement even for sins committed unintentionally or through ignorance. This demonstrates God's mercy and His provision for cleansing, ensuring the community remains in right relationship with Him despite human fallibility.
  • The Nature of Sacrifice: Two distinct offerings are prescribed: a burnt offering (olah), signifying complete dedication and general atonement, and a sin offering (chatta'th), specifically for cleansing from sin and making propitiation. The combination of these offerings underscores the multifaceted nature of atonement in the Old Testament sacrificial system.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "committed by ignorance" translates from the Hebrew root shagag (שָׁגַג), which means to err, go astray, or do something inadvertently. This distinguishes it sharply from deliberate, "high-handed" sin (Numbers 15:30-31), for which there was no prescribed sacrifice under the Mosaic Law, only being "cut off from among his people." The phrase "sweet savour" (reah nihoah) indicates that the offering was acceptable and pleasing to the LORD, signifying His acceptance of the atonement made.

Practical Application

While the specific sacrificial system has been fulfilled in Christ, the principles behind Numbers 15:24 remain relevant. It teaches us about:

  • The Seriousness of All Sin: Even sins of ignorance require attention and atonement, demonstrating that God's standards are absolute and unwavering. Our lack of awareness does not negate the impact of sin on our relationship with a holy God.
  • God's Provision for Forgiveness: Just as God provided a way for Israel to be cleansed, He has provided the ultimate sacrifice in Jesus Christ for all sins, intentional or unintentional. The New Testament teaches that Christ's sacrifice covers all who believe, offering full and final atonement. We are called to confess our sins and receive His grace.
  • Corporate Responsibility Today: In a communal sense, this verse reminds us that the actions (or inactions) of a community can have collective spiritual implications. It encourages prayer, repentance, and seeking God's will together as a church or community. We are called to live in awareness of God's commands and to seek His grace for our shortcomings, whether known or unknown.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 4:23 (5 votes)

    Or if his sin, wherein he hath sinned, come to his knowledge; he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a male without blemish:

  • Leviticus 4:13 (4 votes)

    ¶ And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done [somewhat against] any of the commandments of the LORD [concerning things] which should not be done, and are guilty;

  • Leviticus 4:21 (4 votes)

    And he shall carry forth the bullock without the camp, and burn him as he burned the first bullock: it [is] a sin offering for the congregation.

  • Numbers 28:15 (3 votes)

    And one kid of the goats for a sin offering unto the LORD shall be offered, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.

  • Leviticus 5:15 (3 votes)

    If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the LORD; then he shall bring for his trespass unto the LORD a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering:

  • Numbers 15:8 (3 votes)

    And when thou preparest a bullock [for] a burnt offering, or [for] a sacrifice in performing a vow, or peace offerings unto the LORD:

  • Numbers 15:10 (3 votes)

    And thou shalt bring for a drink offering half an hin of wine, [for] an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.