Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them.
Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them—this concluding statement emphasizes legal equality: native-born Israelites and resident aliens received identical treatment regarding inadvertent sin and its atonement. The phrase torah achat (תּוֹרָה אַחַת, "one law") established equal access to forgiveness regardless of ethnic origin.
This equality principle foreshadows the gospel's demolition of ethnic barriers: "There is neither Jew nor Greek... for ye are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28). The Old Testament already contained seeds of this universalism—God's covenant aimed ultimately to bless "all families of the earth" (Genesis 12:3). The distinction wasn't between Jew and Gentile per se, but between those who submitted to covenant relationship with Yahweh and those who didn't. Faith and obedience mattered more than genealogy, anticipating Paul's "For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly... but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly" (Romans 2:28-29).
Historical Context
Israel's inclusion of ger (sojourners) distinguished their covenant from other ancient Near Eastern tribal religions that excluded foreigners. Ruth the Moabitess, Rahab the Canaanite, and Uriah the Hittite exemplify foreigners fully integrated into Israel. The Septuagint (Greek Old Testament, 3rd-2nd century BC) translated ger as proselutos (προσήλυτος), from which "proselyte" derives. By Second Temple times, Judaism actively made proselytes (Matthew 23:15), demonstrating continued openness to Gentile inclusion despite ethnic pride issues Jesus and Paul confronted.
Questions for Reflection
How does "one law" for native and stranger challenge ethnic or cultural pride in the church?
What does equal access to atonement teach about God's impartiality?
How should this Old Testament inclusivity shape Christian attitudes toward missions and diversity?
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Analysis & Commentary
Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them—this concluding statement emphasizes legal equality: native-born Israelites and resident aliens received identical treatment regarding inadvertent sin and its atonement. The phrase torah achat (תּוֹרָה אַחַת, "one law") established equal access to forgiveness regardless of ethnic origin.
This equality principle foreshadows the gospel's demolition of ethnic barriers: "There is neither Jew nor Greek... for ye are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28). The Old Testament already contained seeds of this universalism—God's covenant aimed ultimately to bless "all families of the earth" (Genesis 12:3). The distinction wasn't between Jew and Gentile per se, but between those who submitted to covenant relationship with Yahweh and those who didn't. Faith and obedience mattered more than genealogy, anticipating Paul's "For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly... but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly" (Romans 2:28-29).