Numbers 15:28
And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the LORD, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
The Aaronic priesthood mediated atonement from Aaron's consecration (Leviticus 8-9) through the first temple's destruction (586 BC), then again from the return (516 BC) until Rome's destruction of Herod's temple (AD 70). After AD 70, Judaism has had no functioning priesthood or temple sacrifices for nearly two millennia. Christianity understands this as divine providence—the old system ceased because Christ fulfilled it. The writer of Hebrews, likely written before AD 70, argues Christ's priesthood's superiority; after AD 70, the old system's impossibility confirmed Christian claims.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding that even unknown sin requires atonement deepen your grasp of human fallenness?
- What does the priest's mediatorial role teach about your need for Christ's ongoing intercession?
- How should the assurance "it shall be forgiven" shape your confidence in gospel promises?
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Analysis & Commentary
And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly—the priestly action of kipper (כִּפֶּר, making atonement) covered individual sin just as it covered corporate sin. The phrase when he sinneth by ignorance before the LORD emphasizes that even unknowing sin occurred "before the LORD"—in God's presence and awareness. God saw sins humans didn't recognize, requiring prescribed atonement rather than human-invented remedies.
The assured result—and it shall be forgiven him—provides confidence that God accepted the prescribed atonement. The repetition to make an atonement for him emphasizes substitutionary principle: the animal died in place of the sinner. This typologically pointed forward to Christ, "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). Unlike repeated Levitical sacrifices that could never perfect the worshiper (Hebrews 10:1-4), Christ's once-for-all sacrifice achieved eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12).