And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.

NUMBERS 15:35KJV
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Numbers 15:35 (KJV)

What does Numbers 15:35 mean?

Numbers 15:35 records the LORD’s decision about a man found gathering wood on the Sabbath, Israel’s day of rest. The LORD tells Moses that the man must be put to death by stoning, with the congregation carrying out the sentence outside the camp.

The decision answers the uncertainty in the preceding verse about what should be done with the man. The place outside the camp sets the execution apart from the area where the people were living.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 15:35

  • “surely put to death” — מוּת (mut): This Hebrew verb means “to die.” A repeated form of the verb gives the sentence emphasis, reflected in the KJV’s word “surely.”
  • “congregation” — עֵדָה (ʿedah): This word refers to an assembly or gathered community. Here it identifies the community, rather than Moses alone, as responsible for carrying out the sentence.

Why Numbers 15:35 matters

  • The sentence addresses an actual incident, not only a general rule. Numbers 15:32 identifies the man as one found gathering wood on the Sabbath.
  • The decision follows a period of waiting. Numbers 15:34 says the people held the man because what should be done to him had not been declared.
  • The passage distinguishes the decision from its execution. In verse 35, the LORD gives the instruction to Moses; in verse 36, the congregation carries it out.

Where else these words appear

“stone” Hebrew H7275 · used in 15 verses

  • Leviticus 20:2 Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones.
  • Leviticus 24:23 And Moses spake to the children of Israel, that they should bring forth him that had cursed out of the camp, and stone him with stones. And the children of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses.
  • 1 Kings 12:18 Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.

“congregation” Hebrew H5712 · used in 140 verses

  • Exodus 12:3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
  • Numbers 15:24 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.
  • Numbers 31:16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.