Numbers 15:31
Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
דְבַר
the word
H1697
דְבַר
the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
2 of 13
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִצְוָת֖וֹ
his commandment
H4687
מִצְוָת֖וֹ
his commandment
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
6 of 13
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
הֵפַ֑ר
and hath broken
H6565
הֵפַ֑ר
and hath broken
Strong's:
H6565
Word #:
7 of 13
to break up (usually figuratively), i.e., to violate, frustrate
תִּכָּרֵ֛ת
be cut off
H3772
תִּכָּרֵ֛ת
be cut off
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
8 of 13
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
תִּכָּרֵ֛ת
be cut off
H3772
תִּכָּרֵ֛ת
be cut off
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
9 of 13
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ
that soul
H5315
הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ
that soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
10 of 13
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
הַהִ֖וא
H1931
הַהִ֖וא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
11 of 13
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
Cross References
Proverbs 13:13Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.2 Samuel 12:9Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.Ezekiel 18:20The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.Psalms 119:126It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.1 Thessalonians 4:8He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.Leviticus 5:1And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he hath seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity.Isaiah 53:6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.Isaiah 30:12Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon:Psalms 38:4For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.2 Peter 2:21For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
Historical Context
The immediate context (v.32-36) gives an example: a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath was stoned to death. This wasn't mere negligence but defiant disobedience - everyone knew Sabbath requirements. The death penalty demonstrated that flagrant covenant violation threatened the entire community's relationship with God. In Israel's theocracy, civil penalty enforced religious law. While the church doesn't execute civil punishment, church discipline (Matt 18:15-20, 1 Cor 5:1-13) addresses flagrant, unrepentant sin to protect the congregation and restore the offender.
Questions for Reflection
- Are there areas where you're sinning presumptuously - knowing God's will but deliberately disobeying?
- How does the severity of judgment on presumptuous sin highlight the seriousness of trampling God's grace and despising His Word?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Sins committed 'presumptuously' (Hebrew 'beyad ramah' - with a high hand) deserve severe judgment: the person 'shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him.' Presumptuous sins are deliberate, defiant rebellion against God's known will, unlike sins of ignorance (v.22-29) which have atonement. The phrase 'reproacheth the LORD' shows such sins insult God's character and authority. This person 'despised the word of the LORD' - rejecting divine revelation knowingly. Hebrews 10:26-29 applies this principle: willful, persistent sin after knowing truth brings severe judgment. This doesn't mean believers lose salvation, but that presumptuous rebellion proves lack of genuine conversion.