Numbers 15:25
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:
Original Language Analysis
וְכִפֶּ֣ר
shall make an atonement
H3722
וְכִפֶּ֣ר
shall make an atonement
Strong's:
H3722
Word #:
1 of 23
to cover (specifically with bitumen)
הַכֹּהֵ֗ן
And the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֗ן
And the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
2 of 23
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
עַֽל
H5921
עַֽל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֲדַ֛ת
for all the congregation
H5712
עֲדַ֛ת
for all the congregation
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
5 of 23
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
בְּנֵ֥י
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֥י
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
6 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
7 of 23
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 23
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
שִׁגְגָתָֽם׃
for their ignorance
H7684
שִׁגְגָתָֽם׃
for their ignorance
Strong's:
H7684
Word #:
11 of 23
a mistake or inadvertent transgression
הִ֔וא
H1931
הִ֔וא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
12 of 23
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
הֵבִ֨יאוּ
and they shall bring
H935
הֵבִ֨יאוּ
and they shall bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
14 of 23
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
קָרְבָּנָ֜ם
their offering
H7133
קָרְבָּנָ֜ם
their offering
Strong's:
H7133
Word #:
16 of 23
something brought near the altar, i.e., a sacrificial present
אִשֶּׁ֣ה
a sacrifice made by fire
H801
אִשֶּׁ֣ה
a sacrifice made by fire
Strong's:
H801
Word #:
17 of 23
properly, a burnt-offering; but occasionally of any sacrifice
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
18 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְחַטָּאתָ֛ם
and their sin offering
H2403
וְחַטָּאתָ֛ם
and their sin offering
Strong's:
H2403
Word #:
19 of 23
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
לִפְנֵ֥י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֥י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
20 of 23
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
21 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Leviticus 4:20And he shall do with the bullock as he did with the bullock for a sin offering, so shall he do with this: and the priest shall make an atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them.Hebrews 2:17Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.Romans 3:25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Historical Context
The Aaronic priesthood functioned from Sinai (approximately 1445 BC) through the first temple period (586 BC), resumed after the exile, and continued until AD 70 when Rome destroyed Herod's temple. After AD 70, Judaism had to reconceptualize atonement without temple or priesthood, leading to emphasis on prayer, repentance, and good works. Christianity understood Christ's death as the ultimate fulfillment rendering the levitical system obsolete (Hebrews 8-10). The Dead Sea Scrolls show Second Temple Jews deeply concerned with proper atonement rituals.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the priest's mediatorial role illuminate Christ's superior high priesthood?
- What does God's provision of atonement for inadvertent sin reveal about His character?
- How should the assurance "it shall be forgiven" shape your confidence in Christ's atonement?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And the priest shall make an atonement for all the congregation—the verb "make atonement" (kipper, כִּפֶּר) literally means "to cover" or "to wipe away." The priest's mediatorial action covered the congregation's sin, restoring right relationship with God. The assured result—and it shall be forgiven them—demonstrates that God graciously accepted the prescribed atonement. The reason given—for it is ignorance—shows God distinguished between inadvertent and willful transgression.
The required offerings—a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD, and their sin offering before the LORD, for their ignorance—combined fire offerings (isheh, אִשֶּׁה, offerings consumed by fire) with the chattat (sin offering). The repetition of "unto the LORD" and "before the LORD" emphasizes these offerings' God-ward direction. The priest represented the people before God, and represented God to the people—mediating reconciliation. This typologically points to Christ our great High Priest who "ever liveth to make intercession" (Hebrews 7:25).