Numbers 15:29 (KJV)

What does Numbers 15:29 mean?

Numbers 15:29 says that there is to be one law for anyone who sins unintentionally, whether that person is an Israelite by birth or a foreigner living among them. This means the same standard applies to everyone in the community when it comes to mistakes or sins done out of ignorance.

In this part of Numbers, God is giving instructions to Moses for the Israelites about how to handle different kinds of sins. The verse comes in a section about unintentional sins—things people do wrong without realizing it. By saying the law is the same for both Israelites and foreigners (sojourners), the verse emphasizes fairness and equal treatment in the community’s legal and religious life.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 15:29

• "law" (תּוֹרָה, torah): This word means instruction or law. Its use here highlights that the guidance given is not just a rule but a teaching meant for everyone in the community.
• "stranger" (גֵּר, ger): This word refers to a foreigner or non-Israelite living among the Israelites. The verse’s use of "ger" shows that even those not born into the community are included under the same legal and moral expectations.
• "ignorance" (שְׁגָגָה, shegagah): This word means an unintentional mistake or error. The verse is specifically about sins that are not done on purpose, which are treated differently from deliberate wrongdoing.

Why Numbers 15:29 matters

• Numbers 15:29 clears up any idea that there were separate standards for Israelites and non-Israelites; both groups are held to the same law regarding unintentional sins.
• The verse emphasizes the value of fairness and unity in the community, showing that God’s instructions were meant to create a just society for everyone living among the Israelites.
• This verse connects to the wider passage, which distinguishes between unintentional and intentional sins, helping the reader understand the seriousness with which different kinds of wrongdoing were viewed.