But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

NUMBERS 15:30KJV
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Numbers 15:30 (KJV)

What does Numbers 15:30 mean?

Numbers 15:30 says that anyone who acts deliberately and arrogantly against God's command—whether an Israelite or a foreigner living among them—shows contempt for the LORD and will be separated from the community. This verse stresses that intentional defiance, not just accidental wrongdoing, brings serious consequences.

Moses is relaying God's instructions to the Israelites in the wilderness, explaining the difference between unintentional sins and willful rebellion. The verse highlights that God's standards apply equally to everyone in the community, and that knowingly disrespecting God is treated as a grave offense, regardless of a person's background.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 15:30

  • "Presumptuously" uses two Hebrew words: בְּיָד רָמָה (b'yad ramah), literally "with a high hand." This phrase means acting with open defiance or arrogance, not just making a mistake.
  • "Soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, nefesh) refers to the individual person, emphasizing personal responsibility for one's actions.
  • "Reproacheth" (גָּדַף, gadaph) means to blaspheme or insult, showing that this kind of sin is seen as a direct affront to God, not just a rule-breaking.
  • "Cut off" (כָּרַת, karath) is often understood as being expelled from the community or losing one's place among the people, showing the seriousness of the punishment.

Why Numbers 15:30 matters

  • This verse clears up that not all sins were treated the same—intentional rebellion was seen as much more serious than accidental mistakes.
  • The verse makes it clear that God's expectations and consequences applied to everyone equally, whether native-born or foreigner.
  • In the wider passage, this verse helps explain why some actions led to severe penalties, showing the importance of attitude and intent behind actions in Israel's law.

Where else these words appear

“reproacheth” Hebrew H1442 · used in 7 verses

  • 2 Kings 19:6 And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say to your master, Thus saith the LORD, Be not afraid of the words which thou hast heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me.
  • Psalms 44:16 For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy and avenger.
  • Isaiah 37:23 Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel.

“land” Hebrew H249 · used in 17 verses

  • Exodus 12:19 Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.
  • Leviticus 18:26 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you:
  • Numbers 9:14 And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto the LORD; according to the ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner thereof, so shall he do: ye shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger, and for him that was born in the land.

“stranger” Hebrew H4480 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 2:6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.
  • Leviticus 9:10 But the fat, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver of the sin offering, he burnt upon the altar; as the LORD commanded Moses.
  • 1 Kings 6:16 And he built twenty cubits on the sides of the house, both the floor and the walls with boards of cedar: he even built them for it within, even for the oracle, even for the most holy place.

“stranger” Hebrew H1616 · used in 83 verses

  • Genesis 15:13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
  • Leviticus 25:35 And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.
  • Deuteronomy 27:19 Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.