And the priest shall make an atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel, and it shall be forgiven them; for it is ignorance: and they shall bring their offering, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD, and their sin offering before the LORD, for their ignorance:

NUMBERS 15:25KJV
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Numbers 15:25 (KJV)

What does Numbers 15:25 mean?

Numbers 15:25 explains that when the priest makes atonement for the entire community of Israel, their unintentional sins will be forgiven, because the wrongdoing was done out of ignorance. The people must bring specific offerings—one burned and one for sin—before the LORD to receive this forgiveness.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, giving instructions for what the Israelites should do if the whole community accidentally breaks one of God's commands. The focus is on sins committed unknowingly, not deliberate disobedience. The priest acts as a mediator, and the required offerings show that forgiveness involves both confession and a ritual response.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 15:25

  • "Atonement" (כָּפַר, kaphar): This word means to cover or make reconciliation. Here, it highlights the priest's role in restoring the relationship between the people and God after an unintentional sin.
  • "Ignorance" (שְׁגָגָה, shegagah): This term refers specifically to mistakes or sins committed unintentionally, not out of rebellion. It clarifies that the forgiveness described is for errors, not willful acts.
  • "Congregation" (עֵדָה, edah): This word means the whole assembly or community, showing that these instructions are for collective, not just individual, situations.

Why Numbers 15:25 matters

  • Numbers 15:25 clarifies that God distinguishes between intentional and unintentional sins, offering a path to forgiveness for mistakes made without knowledge.
  • The verse emphasizes the importance of the priest's mediating role and the necessity of specific offerings, which helps explain the structure of Israelite worship and community responsibility.
  • This instruction fits into a larger section about how the Israelites should handle sin, showing God's concern for both justice and mercy in the life of the community.